Sen. Paul Moriarty

Maddy summaryS 3483 bans New Jersey state and local government agencies (including counties, municipalities, and public authorities) from using small drones where over 25% of the components are made in foreign countries. The bill defines "foreign-made" as drones with foreign parts costing more than a quarter of the total component cost, and "foreign country" to include all nations outside the U.S. and their territories. It applies to all public entities using drones weighing under 55 pounds for any purpose. The law takes effect six months after enactment, allowing agencies time to adjust their drone procurement.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to provide a property tax exemption for the primary residence of a surviving spouse whose first responder spouse (law enforcement officer, firefighter, or first aid/ambulance/rescue squad member) died while performing regular duties. The exemption applies only if the death resulted directly from duty (not willful negligence), the property was the deceased's primary residence at the time of death, and the surviving spouse continues to live there as their primary residence. The exemption ends if the surviving spouse remarries. It would require voter approval to become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey taxpayers with gross income of $85,000 or less to deduct certain higher education tuition and fee expenses paid for themselves, their spouse, or their dependents. The deduction applies to expenses for officially enrolled students at accredited public or independent colleges or universities. It covers tuition and fees paid during the tax year but does not apply to non-matriculated courses or institutions. The bill would take effect immediately upon enactment for taxable years starting after its passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a New Jersey income tax credit to help residents afford community college. Taxpayers can claim up to $750 for full-time tuition and maintenance costs paid for themselves or a dependent under 22, or up to $375 for part-time attendance (with at least six credits per semester). The credit directly benefits New Jersey residents paying for their own or their child's education at one of the state's 19 county colleges. It provides direct tax savings to offset college costs, making community college more financially accessible.

Maddy summaryS 3359, "CJ's Law," would criminalize the manufacture, sale, and possession of substances containing kratom (mitragyna speciosa korth), with penalties based on quantity. Possessing or distributing 1 ounce or more of kratom would be a second-degree crime punishable by 5-10 years in prison or a $150,000 fine, while smaller amounts would be third or fourth-degree crimes with lesser penalties. The bill directly affects individuals who use, sell, or distribute kratom products, which are currently legal in New Jersey but are warned against by the FDA for potential addiction and health risks. The law is named after Christopher James Holowach, who died from cardiac arrest related to kratom use combined with prescription medication. This bill aims to address public health concerns about kratom, which the FDA has identified as posing risks including addiction, abuse, and dependence.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's film and digital media tax credit program to expand eligibility for tax credits. It increases the credit rate to 40% for qualified digital media content production expenses related to post-production services performed at New Jersey film-lease production facilities (requiring at least $500,000 in such expenses). The bill also expands eligible expenses to include wages paid to workers not subject to New Jersey income tax due to reciprocity agreements with other states, such as Pennsylvania. This change directly affects film and digital media production companies operating in New Jersey that meet the program's requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public employers to provide free cancer screenings every three years for firefighters who are eligible for the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) but have waived enrollment in it. The screenings must cover 11 specific cancers, including colon, lung, and breast cancer, and must be conducted without any out-of-pocket cost to the firefighter. Employers can be reimbursed by the state up to $1,250 per firefighter per three-year period for these screenings. This extends existing coverage and reimbursement requirements to firefighters who are eligible for SHBP but chose not to enroll, ensuring they receive the same preventive care as those enrolled in the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's "Uniform Real Property Transfer on Death Act," allowing residents aged 18 or older with sound mind to transfer real property (like homes or land) to designated beneficiaries upon their death using a "transfer on death deed." The deed is revocable during the owner's life, requires no beneficiary acceptance or payment, and transfers property automatically without probate. Key rules include: beneficiaries must survive the owner to inherit, concurrent beneficiaries share equally without survivorship rights, and the deed does not affect creditor claims against the owner or public assistance eligibility. It directly affects property owners seeking to simplify estate transfers while retaining full control during their lifetime.

Maddy summaryS 787 requires certain New Jersey school districts (specifically those in second-class cities ordered by the state Supreme Court to desegregate) to provide transportation for students in interdistrict school choice programs who live more than 2 miles (elementary) or 2.5 miles (secondary) from their assigned school. Sending districts (where students reside) receive state transportation aid for these students, which they must pay directly to the choice districts (where students attend). If a choice district’s actual transportation costs exceed the state aid amount, it can receive supplemental state funding by demonstrating cost-efficient route planning (e.g., centralized pick-ups across multiple districts). The district must annually report excess costs to the state for reimbursement.

Maddy summaryS 3297 requires New Jersey's Department of Children and Families to develop and implement a statewide program promoting trauma-informed care to address adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress. The bill mandates all state agencies serving children and adults to adopt specific practices, including staff training on ACEs and toxic stress, using trauma-sensitive language in service contracts, and implementing evidence-based resilience-building services. Key provisions include creating a shared trauma-informed care toolkit for state employees, promoting a Trauma Awareness Month, recognizing frontline workers, identifying service gaps, and coordinating statewide data collection on ACEs. This directly affects state agencies, service providers, and children/families exposed to ACEs by requiring systemic changes in how trauma is addressed across public services.