Sen. Holly Schepisi

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Next New Jersey Manufacturing Program, which provides tax credits to businesses that make significant investments in New Jersey manufacturing facilities. To qualify, businesses must invest at least $10 million in capital and create at least 20 new full-time jobs with median salaries at least 120% of local manufacturing averages. The tax credit amount is calculated as the lesser of 0.1% of capital investment multiplied by new jobs, 25% of capital investment, or $150 million, with $100 million reserved for clean energy manufacturers in the first two years. Businesses must maintain the jobs and investment for a specified period, and may forfeit credits if they fail to meet requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3812) removes a restriction that allowed the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS) to withhold retirement or death benefits from members due to ongoing civil lawsuits related to their employment. It directly affects current and future PFRS members (police officers and firefighters) who are involved in civil litigation over their jobs. The bill requires the PFRS Board to pay benefits immediately, but permits adjustments if a legal case later results in penalties. It maintains existing rules that allow withholding for criminal charges or administrative dismissals from public employment.

Maddy summaryS 4407 establishes the Next New Jersey Manufacturing Program, which provides tax credits to manufacturers and clean energy product manufacturers that make significant investments in New Jersey. To qualify, businesses must invest at least $10 million in capital projects, create at least 20 new full-time jobs with median salaries at least 120% of county manufacturing averages, and meet other program requirements. The tax credit amount equals the lesser of 0.1% of capital investment multiplied by new jobs, 25% of capital investment, or $150 million, with $100 million reserved exclusively for clean energy manufacturers during the first two years. Businesses must maintain project locations and job levels for the commitment period, with potential tax credit recapture if requirements aren't met.

Maddy summaryS 4614 allows motor vehicle franchisors (manufacturers/distributors) operating in New Jersey to sell, lease, or assign vehicles to their employees and for promotional, testing, marketing, or product familiarity purposes, with a limit of 50 vehicles total. The bill creates a special "M" license for franchisors to provide vehicles to employees, requiring proof of employment to be kept on file for four years, but does not authorize retail sales to the general public. Vehicles provided under this program are eligible for standard license plates, and franchisors using this program are not required to maintain a physical location for displaying or servicing vehicles. This legislation specifically targets franchisors who are not engaged in typical retail vehicle sales to the public.

Maddy summary# Summary of New Jersey Legislative Bill This bill would: 1. **Withdraw New Jersey from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)** - Directing the Commissioner of Environmental Protection to issue a Notice of Withdrawal to the RGGI Memorandum of Understanding. 2. **Repeal the "Global Warming Response Act"** (26 P.L.2007, c.112) and related implementing laws (27 P.L.2007, c.340), which established New Jersey's participation in RGGI. 3. **Retain certain non-regulatory provisions** that don't relate to greenhouse gas emissions regulation, including: - Section 13 of the RGGI implementing law - Subsections g. and h. of 33 P.L.1999, c.23 (C.48:3-87) 4. **Transfer funds** from the "Global Warming Solutions Fund" to the General Fund for ratepayer relief. 5. **Amend various statutes** to remove references to the repealed acts, including: - Laws establishing the State's Forest Stewardship Incentive Fund - Laws establishing the State's Plug-in Electric Vehicle Incentive Fund - Laws establishing the "Electric School Bus Program" 6. **Clarify that developers** operating under redevelopment incentive grant agreements will not be eligible for payments for charges paid in compliance with the Global Warming Response Act prior to the bill's effective date. The bill effectively terminates New Jersey's participation in RGGI and removes the legal framework for greenhouse gas regulation that was established under the Global Warming Response Act, while preserving certain energy efficiency and renewable energy program provisions.

Maddy summaryS 4004 updates New Jersey's law governing employment programs for people with disabilities by renaming the "Sheltered Workshop Act" to the "Extended Employment Act" and replacing outdated terminology. It expands eligibility to include individuals with "significant" disabilities (not just "severe" ones) and removes requirements like prior workshop completion or proof of inability to compete in the open labor market. The bill shifts oversight from the New Jersey Commission for the Blind to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, revises funding to tie annual increases to inflation or 80% of provider expense reports (whichever is greater), and repeals outdated labeling and transportation rules for program products. This directly affects nonprofit extended employment providers, people with disabilities using these programs, and state agencies managing vocational rehabilitation services.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases annual funding for New Jersey's Commission on Cancer Research (NJCCR) from $1 million to $10 million by redirecting cigarette and tobacco tax revenues into a dedicated, permanent Cancer Research Fund. The fund, established within the Department of the Treasury, must use at least $5 million annually for general cancer research and at least $5 million for pediatric cancer research, with all funds exclusively supporting approved research projects. Unlike the previous system, this fund is non-lapsing (permanent), preventing annual budget transfers that previously reduced available resources. The bill also repeals outdated provisions and designates the State Treasurer to manage fund disbursements.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic annual cost-ofiving adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits of certain retired police and firefighters in New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). It applies to members who have received retirement benefits for at least 10 years, excluding those who retired with 20-24 years of service, are in deferred retirement, or were hired more than 30 days after the bill's effective date. COLAs will be calculated based on the Consumer Price Index, with a $75,000 annual benefit threshold for the first year (adjusted annually thereafter), and capped at a 1% increase for benefits exceeding this amount. The bill requires the Legislature to appropriate funds from the General Fund to cover these adjustments, with the State Treasurer taking over implementation if the Board of Trustees fails to comply within six months. The adjustments apply only to future benefit payments, not retroactively.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 128) urges Congress to exempt unemployment insurance benefits and two types of leave benefits - family temporary disability leave and temporary disability leave - from federal taxation. It directly affects individuals receiving these benefits, including those unemployed, caring for sick family members, or recovering from injury/illness. The resolution notes that New Jersey does not tax these benefits, but federal taxation adds financial strain during vulnerable times when recipients have limited income. As a non-binding resolution, it seeks to influence federal policy but does not change current tax law.

Maddy summaryS 4378 allows New Jersey counties and municipalities to voluntarily contribute up to $70,000 annually to nonprofit veterans' organizations that are tax-exempt under IRS Section 501(c)(19). These organizations must provide direct support to veterans, including services like housing assistance, mental health care, career transition help, and food security. The bill specifies that contributions must be used for these veteran-focused services and requires audits if total annual contributions to an organization exceed $70,000. It updates existing law that previously permitted higher contributions ($125,000) for emergency services groups.