Sen. Nilsa Cruz-Perez

Maddy summaryS 202 requires Rutgers University’s Bloustein School to study how military installations in New Jersey affect the state economy, including jobs, tax revenue, infrastructure projects, and overall economic impacts. The study must analyze direct and indirect effects at both state and county levels, with a report due to the Governor and Legislature within one year. The bill allocates $155,000 from state funds to cover Rutgers’ costs for conducting the study. The findings will provide data to inform state budget and planning decisions related to military installations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Gold Star Family Annuity Program" to provide annual financial support to eligible family members of New Jersey service members who died while on active duty. It directly affects New Jersey residents who are surviving spouses, domestic partners, parents, siblings, children, or legal guardians of fallen military members (defined as "Gold Star family members"). The program pays a fixed $600 annual annuity on January 1 each year, with future increases tied to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefit adjustments (minimum 1%, maximum 4% annually). Non-residents are excluded, and remarriage does not disqualify recipients.

Maddy summaryS 1082 creates the "Jersey Craft Beverage Retailer Promotion and Grant Program" to support New Jersey's craft beverage industry. It establishes a certification program for retailers selling at least 10% of their alcohol sales from local craft producers (breweries, cideries, distilleries), requiring them to display "Certified Jersey Craft Alcohol Beverage Retailer" signage. Qualified retailers can apply for grants up to $2,500 annually to fund capital improvements or promotional activities related to selling New Jersey-made beverages. Funding comes from 50% of tax revenues on craft beverage sales, administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority with input from the Division of Travel and Tourism.

Maddy summaryS 309 requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to provide public boat access to all state and county-owned lakes and reservoirs where boats (with or without motors) are permitted, within two years of the law's enactment. The DEP must either build access points, contract with private marinas (through public bidding), or enter long-term agreements to achieve this. If access cannot be provided due to funding constraints, the DEP must report the specific locations and required funding to the Governor and Legislature. This bill directly affects public recreational users and private marina operators by mandating accessible waterways and transparent reporting for inaccessible sites.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 2754) would allow registered nurses to obtain special license plates displaying "Registered Nurse" and the caduceus symbol. It requires applicants to pay a $50 fee (in addition to standard registration fees) and specifies that the Motor Vehicle Commission must design the plates and monitor costs. Implementation depends on the state securing funding for initial design, production, and publicizing the program before the plates can be issued. The bill affects licensed nurses who own or lease vehicles registered in New Jersey and is contingent on budget approval before becoming active.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires limited liability companies (LLCs) and foreign LLCs to disclose specific ownership details when recording deeds for residential rental properties (including single-family homes, duplexes, or multi-unit buildings). The disclosure must include the registered agent's name and address, plus the beneficial owner's full name, date of birth, current address, and a unique ID number - all submitted as an affidavit with the property deed. This applies only to transfers of rental properties with one to two dwelling units or multiple dwellings to LLCs. The requirement amends New Jersey law to increase transparency in real estate transactions involving LLC ownership.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1740) modifies New Jersey law to exempt nonprofit ski area operators from certain safety and informational requirements that apply to for-profit operators. Specifically, it removes the obligation for nonprofit organizations to establish and post slope difficulty maps, provide daily condition reports, or remove obvious man-made hazards as soon as practicable. The exemption applies only to entities classified as 501(c)(3) nonprofits under federal tax law. This change does not affect liability under the Ski Lift Safety Act or other safety standards for ski areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a "Bear Smart Fund" within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to finance the distribution of bear-proof garbage cans. The fund will be supported by civil penalties from existing bear-feeding violations, state/federal appropriations, and investment earnings. The DEP will prioritize distributing these cans in counties with high bear populations - Sussex, Warren, Morris, and Passaic - to reduce human-bear conflicts, potentially charging residents a small fee or partnering with local governments for cost efficiency. The bill also updates the state's bear-feeding law to clarify prohibited actions (like leaving food accessible to bears) and directs penalty collections into the new fund.

Maddy summaryS 1617 prohibits New Jersey telecommunications companies, electric utilities, gas utilities, and cable television companies from charging credit card or direct debit customers before their standard billing due date - unless the customer provides written consent. The bill directly affects customers who pay via automatic credit card or bank debit, preventing companies from charging them early without explicit written agreement. Key provisions require companies to obtain written consent for early billing, though customers can still request early charges via phone or approved methods. This policy change ensures automatic payments align with the billing schedule of customers who pay by cash or check.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to provide public boat access to State-owned lakes where boating (with or without motors) is permitted, within two years of enactment. The DEP must either construct access points or partner with private marinas through public bidding. The bill appropriates $1 million from the General Fund to cover these costs and mandates that if access cannot be provided, the DEP must report the reasons and required funding to the Governor and Legislature. This directly affects public boaters seeking access to State lakes and requires the DEP to use state funds for implementation.