Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 10-year urban enterprise zone (UEZ) in Atlantic City, offering property tax relief to qualifying businesses operating within the zone. It directly affects businesses that meet specific workforce criteria, such as employing at least 25% of full-time workers from eligible local areas (including low-income residents, long-term unemployed, or public assistance recipients) and maintaining tax compliance. The zone excludes casinos themselves but allows non-casino businesses operating on casino property to qualify for tax benefits if they meet the hiring requirements. The bill amends existing UEZ laws to establish Atlantic City as a designated zone under the same framework used for other urban enterprise zones in New Jersey.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryNew Jersey Senate Bill S3430 (S 3430) expands the responsibilities of the Office of School Bus Safety to enhance student transportation safety. The bill requires the office to verify school bus driver training certifications, maintain a list of contractors barred from bidding on transportation contracts, and coordinate with the Motor Vehicle Commission to share safety data. It mandates annual reports to the legislature detailing safety recommendations, enforcement actions, and progress on past safety improvements. These changes directly affect school districts, transportation contractors, and state agencies overseeing school bus operations.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Grow NJ Kids Student Loan Voucher Program, which provides monthly vouchers to New Jersey residents with student loans. Eligible participants must have a child enrolled in a Grow NJ Kids-rated child care program (minimum 3-star rating), meet income limits ($75,000 individual / $150,000 household), and apply through the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. The voucher amount equals the borrower's monthly student loan payment, funded by state appropriations. The program requires child care providers to publicize the program and participants to report enrollment changes.
Maddy summaryS 3433 allows New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) Chief Administrator to create agreements with foreign countries for mutual recognition of non-commercial driver licenses. This directly affects foreign drivers with valid licenses who wish to operate vehicles in New Jersey, and New Jersey drivers with foreign licenses traveling abroad. The bill requires three conditions: both jurisdictions must share licensing standard information, the foreign country's standards must match New Jersey's, and the foreign country must offer reciprocal driving privileges to New Jersey license holders. The policy change enables streamlined driving privileges without requiring new license tests or paperwork for eligible foreign drivers.
Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3440 requires public schools to maintain specific ratios of certified school library media specialists based on student enrollment: half-time staff for schools under 300 students, one full-time specialist for 300-1,499 students, and two full-time specialists for 1,500+ students. Schools with 500+ students must also employ at least one full-time library clerk, plus one additional clerk for every 500 students. The bill includes limited waivers for schools unable to hire certified specialists (max two over five years) and mandates minimum daily time for specialists to perform library work in secondary schools, depending on enrollment size. It takes effect immediately for the first full school year after enactment.
Maddy summaryS 3456 would incorporate boardwalks into New Jersey's existing transportation local aid program and establish a new Local Aid Infrastructure Fund specifically for boardwalk construction, repair, and maintenance projects. Municipalities with boardwalks - common in coastal communities - would be eligible to apply for state funding through both the amended transportation program and the new grant fund. The bill directly expands eligibility for these structures, which are critical for tourism and public access in beach towns, by adding them to state transportation funding streams. This policy change provides concrete financial support for boardwalk upkeep without altering other transportation funding rules.
Maddy summaryS 3459 establishes a one-year pilot program in Hudson County for 50 homeless youth aged 18-24, providing a $5,000 one-time payment and a $1,200 monthly cash stipend for nine months. The program, administered by the state’s Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner, includes wraparound services like housing navigation, financial coaching, and mental health support. It requires collecting data on housing stability and economic outcomes without gathering citizenship or immigration information, and mandates a final report to the Governor and Legislature. The pilot aims to test whether direct cash assistance improves housing stability for youth facing homelessness in underserved communities.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey employers to report certain sexual assault allegations to local law enforcement or county prosecutors within 24 hours of receiving a report from a consumer or employee about an assault involving another consumer or employee. Employers who fail to report face a $10,000 civil penalty. If a county prosecutor receives such a report, they must appoint a victim advocate (via the Sexual Assault Response Team) upon the accuser's request to provide information about medical, legal, and counseling services during the employer's investigation. The law applies to all employers in New Jersey, including those managing employee or consumer interactions.
Maddy summaryThis bill allows public libraries, school boards, and local governments in New Jersey to sell or dispose of library materials (such as books, media, and printed materials) without first advertising for bids. It amends existing laws to remove the requirement for public advertising when disposing of these specific items, streamlining the process for entities managing library collections. The change applies only to library materials and does not affect disposal procedures for other types of personal property. Higher-value property sales (over 15% of a bid threshold) still require public sales or competitive offers as currently required by law.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3392) would allow New Jersey craft distilleries to sell mixed drinks (like cocktails) and mixed drink ingredients (such as mixers) for off-premises consumption, rather than only selling distilled spirits directly. It also permits craft distilleries to ship these products directly to consumers within the state, a change from current rules that restrict direct shipping. The bill amends existing distillery license regulations (R.S. 33:1-10) to add these specific sales and shipping permissions. This directly affects small, independent craft distilleries by expanding their sales options beyond on-site consumption or retail partnerships.