Sen. Nilsa Cruz-Perez

Maddy summaryThis bill reassigns $500,000 from the City of Camden's existing capital projects funding to Parkside Business & Community in Partnership, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The change modifies the Fiscal Year 2026 state budget by redirecting an existing appropriation line item from Camden's capital projects to Parkside's specific funding line. Parkside, which focuses on neighborhood revitalization in Camden's Parkside area through commercial development and housing initiatives, will receive this redirected funding. The bill does not create new funding but shifts an existing $500,000 allocation within the state budget.

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 who need to appeal denied disability claims at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. It targets veterans with a **net worth under $2 million** who have already lost at the Board of Veterans’ Appeals. Law firms must specialize in veteran benefits, have 10+ years of experience, maintain a New Jersey office, and meet specific qualifications (including U.S. Court of Appeals admission). The program ensures geographic representation across northern, central, and southern New Jersey while requiring firms to provide periodic service reports.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the "Jersey Craft Beverage Retailer Promotion and Grant Program" to boost sales of New Jersey-made craft alcoholic beverages. It directly affects craft beverage producers (with limited brewery, cidery, or distillery licenses) and retailers holding specific retail licenses who sell their products. The program will run advertising campaigns, create a "Certified Jersey Craft Alcohol Beverage Retailer" signage program, and offer grants up to $2,500 annually for eligible retailers to improve displays or promotions. Funding comes from 50% of tax revenue on craft beverage sales, managed through a dedicated fund established by the Economic Development Authority.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates two new state entities: the Health Care Cost Containment and Price Transparency Commission (an 18-member body) and the Office of Healthcare Affordability and Transparency (within the Department of Health). It requires all New Jersey hospitals to publicly report detailed pricing data for services like inpatient care and emergency visits, and sets annual cost growth targets for healthcare entities. Hospitals failing to comply with transparency rules face civil penalties of $10 per day per bed, and are prohibited from collecting medical debt from patients until they comply. The bill appropriates up to $5 million to fund these new offices and their operations, aiming to increase price transparency and reduce healthcare cost growth.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require New Jersey Medicaid to cover family-based counseling services as part of substance use disorder treatment. The coverage applies to inpatient or outpatient care provided at licensed facilities approved by the New Jersey Department of Health, with services prescribed by a physician. It explicitly adds family-based counseling to Medicaid's list of covered services for substance use disorder treatment. This change would directly affect Medicaid enrollees receiving substance use disorder care and licensed treatment facilities in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a $600,000 supplemental appropriation from the General Fund to Joseph’s House of Camden. The funding directly supports Joseph’s House in operating shelter and services for people experiencing homelessness in Camden. It adds this amount to the existing annual budget under the Department of Community Affairs' Social Services Programs. The bill does not create new policies but allocates specific funding to an existing service provider.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $2.25 million grant program to expand hands-on STEM education for at-risk students in grades 6-8 across selected New Jersey school districts. The program requires participating districts to provide project-based learning experiences, offer accelerated options for students behind grade level (allowing two years of work in one year), and include teacher training and classroom resources. It targets students from households below 1.85x the federal poverty line, with funding administered by the Department of Education through a nonprofit partner. The bill mandates selecting at least two existing STEM program districts to receive grants, focusing on concrete curriculum and resource development for eligible students.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) and South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) to create a program waiving E-ZPass toll fees for motor vehicles used by certified disabled veteran owned businesses. To qualify, businesses must be independently owned and controlled by disabled veterans (with at least a 10% VA disability rating), have at least $2,500 in revenue, operate in New Jersey, and be certified by the state. Vehicles must be registered in New Jersey, owned or leased by a disabled veteran, and have an active NJ E-ZPass account. The program directly affects disabled veteran business owners who meet these specific criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows retired members of New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to return to elective public office with their former employer without losing retirement benefits, under specific conditions. To qualify, retirees must have reached the service retirement age at the time of retirement, the office must pay less than $12,000 annually, and they must return after their retirement allowance becomes payable. The bill applies only to former employers (the public entity where the retiree last worked) and requires that federal retirement rules remain compliant. If approved, it would take effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryS 4898 would lower the minimum required uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage for transportation network company (TNC) drivers and companies in New Jersey, such as Uber or Lyft. Current law requires TNC drivers to maintain at least $1.5 million in such coverage when providing rides. The bill would reduce this minimum coverage amount to a lower figure, though the exact new amount is not specified in the text. This change would directly affect TNC drivers and companies by reducing their insurance requirements.