Sen. Jim Beach

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires the Department of Environmental Protection to study how large-scale data centers affect the state's water supply, wastewater systems, and the environment. The study must examine both short-term impacts over the last three years and long-term effects over the past seven years, while also looking at potential future impacts and strategies to reduce water consumption. To gather this information, the department can request data from data center operators regarding their water usage, cooling methods, and conservation practices. The department is required to submit a final report to the Governor and the Legislature within fifteen months, and the law will end once that report is delivered.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to exempt compensation paid to election workers from state taxation in New Jersey. It directly affects individuals who work during elections and the employers who pay their wages. The key provision amends existing unemployment compensation laws to remove tax liability for these specific workers. This change aims to provide financial relief to those involved in election duties without altering other parts of the state's tax code.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a grant program within the New Jersey Department of State to help local governments and non-profit organizations preserve Revolutionary War sites that are at risk due to development. The program will provide funding for the maintenance and expansion of battlefields, encampments, and skirmish sites, with awards given competitively based on applicants' specific preservation plans and administrative capabilities. To support this initiative, the legislation appropriates $50 million from the state's General Fund and requires the department to establish rules for applying for and managing these grants within 90 days of the law's passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey municipalities to reserve at least one parking space near city hall or other main municipal buildings exclusively for vehicles displaying disabled veteran or Purple Heart recipient license plates or placards. It directly affects disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients by ensuring accessible parking near government buildings, building on existing exemptions for parking meter fees. The key provision mandates municipalities to designate these spaces, with the Motor Vehicle Commission already issuing the required license plates and placards. The law would take effect immediately but remain inactive for six months after enactment to allow time for compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 3-year pilot program in New Jersey's public elementary schools to test the use of therapy dogs in wellness initiatives. Participating school districts must apply with details about their schools, student wellness programs, and their specific plans for incorporating therapy dogs. The Department of Education will select two districts from each of the state's three regions (southern, central, northern), ensuring representation across urban, suburban, and rural areas. The program requires the DOE to provide guidance on therapy dog activities, handler training, dog health monitoring, and insurance, and mandates a final report evaluating the program's impact on student academic performance and health outcomes by June 2029.

Maddy summaryS 3482 would allow cideries, distilleries, and meaderies (along with wineries and breweries) to be included in New Jersey's highway signage programs and an online tourism website. To qualify for highway signs, alcohol manufacturers must meet specific conditions, including being within 15 miles of a highway, open at least six hours three days a week (including weekends), produce alcohol on-site, have a tasting area, offer tours, and hold a state license. The bill also requires the state to create a searchable online map and list featuring driving directions, tour schedules, photos, and contact details for these facilities. This directly affects alcohol manufacturers seeking tourism promotion and tourists looking to visit these locations, aiming to streamline access to New Jersey's beverage producers.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the New Jersey Department of Agriculture to advertise and promote liquors, beers, and wines produced within the state. It requires the department to include these alcoholic beverages in the existing Jersey Fresh Program, utilizing funds already allocated for that initiative. To do so, the department must create a quality grading and rating system for these products that mirrors the standards used for other agricultural commodities. The legislation applies immediately and affects producers of in-state alcoholic drinks by expanding the scope of the state's marketing efforts to include them.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to prohibit the Motor Vehicle Commission from prompting non-citizens to register to vote during driver's license or ID applications. It establishes a system where the MVC automatically shares the contact and citizenship information of applicants who provide proof of U.S. citizenship with the state election office, provided those individuals are not already registered. Once the election office verifies eligibility, it registers the person to vote and sends a notice allowing them to decline or affiliate with a political party. The legislation explicitly states that the MVC cannot request citizenship documents solely for voter registration purposes and that existing voter registration rules remain unchanged.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises the definition of "contracting unit" in New Jersey law to explicitly include State authorities and agencies (such as state agencies or authorities), which were previously excluded. As a result, State authorities and agencies can now participate in cooperative purchasing agreements - where multiple government entities pool resources to buy goods or services together - potentially saving costs through shared procurement. The bill does not change the exclusion of State boards, commissions, or committees, which remain ineligible for these agreements. This change clarifies eligibility for State entities to join existing cooperative purchasing frameworks without altering other procurement rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (DMVA) to create a centralized website with resources for veterans seeking public employment, including civil service preference forms, job listings, and transition assistance. It also mandates that DMVA provide printed copies of these resources at Veteran Service Offices and outreach events. Additionally, the Division of Local Government Services must maintain a public list of local government job openings (outside standard civil service rules) that include veteran preference details. The law aims to streamline access to employment information for veterans transitioning to civilian careers across federal, state, county, and municipal government roles.