Sen. Nilsa Cruz-Perez

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a $100,000 limit on sales tax exemptions for businesses in New Jersey's Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) program. It directly affects certified UEZ businesses (those with UZ-4 certification) by allowing them to claim full tax exemptions on all costs for property improvements, such as building repairs or renovations, without the previous $100,000 cap. The exemption applies retroactively to all qualifying property improvements made on or after January 1, 2022. This change simplifies access to tax savings for businesses seeking to upgrade their facilities within designated UEZ areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's property tax deduction program for seniors and disabled residents. It increases the annual income limit for eligibility from $10,000 to $20,000 for 2023, and adjusts this limit each year thereafter based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for cost-of-living, rounded to the nearest $100. The deduction amount itself remains fixed at $250 annually. This change directly affects New Jersey residents aged 65+ or permanently disabled with income under the new threshold who own or reside in qualifying property.

Maddy summaryThis bill would create a New Jersey program providing up to $10,000 in matching grants to help eligible military members purchase homes. It directly affects members of the U.S. Armed Forces and New Jersey National Guard who served at least 90 days in Operation Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom, or Iraqi Freedom, are legal New Jersey residents, and plan to buy a primary residence in the state. The grants match the recipient's contribution dollar-for-dollar for closing costs or equity payments, with no income requirement (though priority would go to those eligible for other state housing programs). The program would be administered by the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency in coordination with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey pharmacists to dispense HIV prevention medication (PrEP) and emergency HIV exposure medication (PEP) without a specific patient prescription under certain conditions. It directly affects HIV-negative individuals seeking prevention services who meet screening criteria, such as recent negative HIV tests and no contraindications. Pharmacists must complete training, verify patient eligibility using CDC guidelines, provide counseling, and document services, while also notifying primary care providers. The bill additionally requires health insurers to cover these medications under prescription benefits. This aims to improve access to timely HIV prevention by expanding pharmacists' role within established clinical protocols.

Maddy summarySJR 21 designates every March as "Fibromuscular Dysplasia Awareness Month" in New Jersey. The bill requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the month with awareness activities. It directly affects individuals and families living with FMD, a rare vascular condition causing abnormal artery growth that often leads to misdiagnosis and complications like hypertension or stroke. The resolution aims to increase public and medical community understanding of FMD, which currently has no cure and lacks standardized treatment protocols.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 12) formally recognizes April 10 as Dolores Huerta’s birthday. It commemorates her legacy as a labor rights activist, co-founder of the United Farm Workers Union, and advocate for farm workers’ rights, including her role in the 1975 California Agricultural Labor Relations Act. The resolution has no policy impact or direct effect on individuals; it is purely ceremonial, directing the Senate to send a copy to Huerta and her family. It follows standard procedure for honoring historical figures without creating new laws or altering rights.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2229 requires school districts receiving preschool education aid to place at least half of preschool students in licensed child care programs, rather than in district-run programs or Head Start. This directly affects school districts funded through the state's preschool aid program, mandating they secure sufficient placements at licensed providers. Districts may apply for a Department of Education waiver if licensed child care options are unavailable locally, providing justification for the request. The bill aims to increase access to licensed early childhood education settings while allowing flexibility for districts facing limited provider capacity.

Maddy summaryS 1316 establishes the New Jersey Fusion Technology Industry Commission to advance fusion energy and technology development within the state. The commission, composed of 11 members including university leaders and fusion industry experts, will create policies, oversee funding for innovation grants, and support business incubation facilities at New Jersey's public and private universities (like Rutgers and NJIT). It directly affects higher education institutions, fusion technology businesses, and researchers by providing mechanisms for grant funding, technology transfer, and commercial application support. The bill aims to position New Jersey as a hub for fusion technology through strategic public-private partnerships.

Maddy summaryS 2486 establishes a competitive grant program through New Jersey's Department of Education to fund organizations recruiting, training, and placing new teachers in high-poverty school districts. Eligible organizations (tax-exempt nonprofits with existing partnerships in districts where ≥40% of students are at-risk) receive grants matching their private contributions, up to $2 million annually for three years. The bill appropriates $6 million from the General Fund to cover these matching grants, targeting districts with high student poverty rates.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Department of Veterans Affairs to partner with qualified law firms to provide free legal help to eligible disabled veterans facing denied disability claims at the federal level. It specifically covers veterans with service-connected disabilities and a net worth under $2 million, who need representation before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims after losing at the VA Board of Appeals. Law firms must specialize in veteran benefits, have 10+ years of experience, maintain a New Jersey office, and meet strict case-quantity requirements. The program requires no fees for veterans and will begin July 1, 2026.