Sen. Jim Beach

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Service Dogs Assisting Veterans Grant Program" within New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). It allows accredited nonprofit organizations (meeting specific standards like Assistance Dogs International accreditation) to apply for grants to provide service dogs to disabled veterans - defined as honorably discharged veterans with service-connected disabilities. The program prohibits nonprofits from charging veterans for the dogs and requires DMVA to provide ongoing veterinary insurance for each service dog. Grants must cover training, marketing to veterans, and humane animal care, with nonprofits reporting on program effectiveness annually.

Maddy summaryThis bill reschedules New Jersey's June 2025 primary election from June 3 to June 10, 2025, to accommodate a religious observance. It adjusts most election-related deadlines to align with the new June 10 date, but keeps specific deadlines - such as those for nominating petitions, ballot position drawing, and mailing vote-by-mail ballots - tied to the original June 3 date. The Secretary of State must notify county clerks, election boards, and the public within seven days of the bill's effective date and publish a revised election calendar. This change directly affects all voters, candidates, and election officials participating in New Jersey's 2025 primary election cycle.

Maddy summaryThis bill reschedules New Jersey's June 2025 primary election from June 3 to June 10, 2025, to accommodate a religious observance. It requires the Secretary of State to notify all county clerks, election boards, municipal clerks, and the public within seven days of enactment, adjust all election-related deadlines under state law, and publish a revised election calendar. The change directly affects voters participating in the 2025 primary and election administrators responsible for organizing the vote.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds skin cancer to the list of medical conditions that allow drivers or passengers to apply for special window tinting on vehicles. It specifically includes "a history of, or a substantial risk of developing, skin cancer" as qualifying under existing rules for medical exemptions. Currently, people with conditions like lupus or light sensitivity could seek permission to use tinting materials that reduce sunlight exposure; this bill expands that exemption to cover skin cancer risks. The change requires the same application process: a doctor's certification and approval from the Motor Vehicle Commission.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's definition of "contracting unit" to clarify which government entities can use cooperative purchasing agreements. Specifically, it changes the definition to explicitly include "State authority or agency" (previously it used vague language like "authority or agency"), allowing these state-run organizations to participate in cooperative purchasing. It does not change eligibility for existing entities like counties, municipalities, or school districts. State boards, commissions, and committees remain excluded from participating, as they were under current law. The change ensures State authorities can join cooperative agreements to potentially save costs on shared purchases.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey county clerks to automatically mail an application for a mail-in ballot to any registered voter who turns 18. It specifically applies to 17-year-old registered voters who will be 18 by the next general election, as permitted under current law. The key mechanism is sending the application on the voter's 18th birthday, rather than requiring them to request it. The state will reimburse counties for any additional costs related to implementing this change.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes penalties for underage gambling (by individuals under 21) from criminal offenses to civil fines. It imposes tiered fines: up to $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second, and $2,000 for third or subsequent offenses. All collected fines will fund gambling addiction prevention, education, and treatment programs through the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey. The bill applies to underage gamblers, casino licensees/employees who allow underage gambling, and individuals in lawful care of minors who permit gambling.

Maddy summaryThe "Welcome Home Veterans Act" (S 3595) requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to provide veterans with information about federal and state benefits when issuing or renewing a driver's license or ID card that includes a veteran designation. The MVC must offer this information in both physical copies at all agency locations and online, including the state veterans' benefits guide and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' "Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents, Survivors, and Caregivers" booklet. The packet will also include resources for accessing additional benefit information and any supplementary details the MVC determines necessary. This applies to all veterans receiving a veteran-designated license or ID card under existing New Jersey law.

Maddy summaryThis bill lowers the monetary threshold for certain fourth-degree theft crimes in New Jersey. It changes the law so that theft involving $100-$500 now qualifies as a fourth-degree crime (previously $200-$500), and theft under $100 becomes a disorderly persons offense (previously under $200). The same threshold adjustment applies to identity theft under N.J.S.2C:21-17, making cases involving under $100 a fourth-degree crime for single-victim incidents. These changes directly affect individuals committing low-value thefts or identity fraud, increasing the severity of penalties for offenses previously classified as less serious.

Maddy summarySJR 71 designates the first full week of May each year as "Wounded Warrior Appreciation Week" in New Jersey to honor veterans who sustained physical or mental injuries while serving. The resolution requests the Governor issue a proclamation encouraging public awareness and support for wounded veterans adjusting to civilian life. It does not create new programs or funding but formally recognizes the challenges faced by veterans, including those with combat-related stress, depression, or traumatic brain injuries. This ceremonial designation applies statewide and became law in December 2024.