Sen. Jim Beach

Maddy summaryS 532 amends New Jersey's Open Public Records Act to require government agencies to redact email addresses from public records, just as they currently redact other personal identifiers like phone numbers and social security numbers. This change directly affects constituents who communicate with government officials via email, as their email addresses will now be treated as confidential information. The bill adds "email address" explicitly to the existing list of items that must be removed from public records under the law. This is a procedural update to the law, not a new policy, and applies to all government records maintained by public agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends New Jersey's $6,000 gross income tax exemption for veterans to their surviving spouses. Currently, spouses can claim the exemption only in the year a veteran dies (if filing jointly), but not in subsequent years. The bill would allow surviving spouses to continue claiming the exemption annually until they remarry, provided the veteran was eligible for the exemption in the year they died. This change directly affects spouses of deceased veterans who were honorably discharged and received the tax benefit. The exemption reduces taxable income for qualifying households, lowering their state tax liability.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes permanent a program allowing wineries on preserved farmland to host special occasion events (like weddings or festivals). It requires such events to generate under 50% of a winery’s annual income, use agricultural products when possible, occur on specific days, and follow local noise, waste, and safety rules. The bill also changes reporting requirements from annual to biennial reports for county boards and the State Agriculture Development Committee to review the program’s impact. It directly affects wineries operating on preserved farmland in New Jersey, ensuring their event hosting remains regulated but permanent.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's school bus stop laws to authorize the use of school bus monitoring systems for enforcement. It directly affects drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses (including those transporting children or individuals with developmental disabilities) and school districts/municipalities that install such systems. Key provisions establish that violations captured by these systems result in a $250 civil penalty (instead of criminal penalties), with collected funds directed to municipal and school safety programs. The bill also clarifies that registered vehicle owners are presumed responsible for violations recorded by the systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 559) allows New Jersey county improvement authorities to create programs that help residents refinance their student loans at potentially lower interest rates. It directly affects county improvement authorities (local government entities) and the residents of counties where such programs are established. The key provision amends existing law to explicitly permit these authorities to develop and administer student loan refinancing initiatives. The bill does not change loan terms or guarantee savings but provides the legal framework for counties to offer this service. It was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Higher Education Committee in 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey colleges and universities to implement comprehensive mental health programs for students. Key provisions include mandatory annual mental health awareness sessions, on-campus screenings for conditions like depression and anxiety, peer support programs using recovery-model best practices, and partnerships with local mental health providers to achieve a 1:1,250 clinician-to-student ratio benchmark. It also mandates Mental Health First Aid training for student advisors, resident assistants, and campus security staff. The law directly affects all public and private higher education institutions in New Jersey, aiming to increase access to services and reduce barriers for students seeking mental health support.

Maddy summaryS 538 requires applicants seeking to locate a substance use disorder treatment center within 500 feet of a school to notify local municipal and county planning officials before submitting their main license application. It mandates that applicants also request a resolution of local support from the municipal governing body and submit this resolution along with their license application. This bill directly affects treatment center applicants who wish to operate near schools, adding a community engagement step to the approval process. The requirement applies to new applications submitted after the bill's effective date, modifying existing licensing procedures under New Jersey law. The bill does not change the definition of treatment centers or apply to existing applications filed before enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires County Clerks to provide copies of mail-in ballot request forms at every polling place on election day for use in *future* elections. It directly affects voters who wish to vote by mail in upcoming elections and County Clerks responsible for implementing the requirement. The key provision mandates that polling places must have these forms available on election day, so voters can request mail-in ballots for future elections without needing to do so beforehand. The bill does not change current voting procedures but ensures access to mail-in ballot applications during elections. It takes effect January 1 following its enactment.

Maddy summaryS 507 requires telecommunications companies and VoIP service providers in New Jersey to automatically provide prorated bill adjustments or refunds to customers who experience service outages lasting more than 24 hours. The bill mandates that companies adjust bills without requiring customers to take any action, ensuring refunds are proportional to the outage duration. This applies to all regulated telecom services, including traditional phone providers and internet-based voice services. The law amends existing statutes to enforce this refund requirement as a standard consumer protection measure.

Maddy summaryS 4955 updates the minimum annual funding levels for New Jersey's arts, history, and tourism programs funded by hotel and motel occupancy fees, requiring at least $31.9 million for the arts council, $5.5 million for the historical commission, and $17.6 million for tourism promotion (from the fee revenue) through 2026 and beyond. It also appropriates an additional $1 million directly to the Division of Travel and Tourism for tourism advertising and promotion. Hotels and motels that collect the occupancy fee must remit it to the state, with funds allocated to these designated entities. This bill affects how revenue from the fee is distributed, ensuring stable funding for cultural and tourism initiatives.