Sen. Jim Beach

Maddy summaryThis bill removes an existing exception allowing smoking in casinos and simulcasting facilities under New Jersey's smoke-free law. It eliminates the specific exemption that previously permitted smoking in casinos with at least 150 slot machines or 10 table games, and in simulcasting facilities with dedicated seating for 50+ patrons. As a result, smoking will now be banned in these venues, aligning them with the general smoking restrictions in public places. The change directly affects all New Jersey casinos and simulcasting facilities operating under the state's regulations.

Maddy summaryS 2408 requires New Jersey to appropriate up to $200,000 annually from the General Fund to the Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs (DMVA) to help preserve military installations if the federal government pursues base realignment or closure. The bill mandates that the DMVA submit a public annual report by July 15th detailing all expenditures from these funds, including receipts and vendor information, which must be posted online. It also requires competitive bidding every two years for any contracts involving lobbyists or governmental affairs agents related to installation preservation. This bill directly affects the DMVA and military installations in New Jersey, with no substantive policy changes beyond funding and transparency requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill caps fees for permits allowing licensed beverage businesses to sell alcohol at seasonal farm markets. It limits daily permit fees to $25 and annual permits to $75, set by the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The fee cap applies specifically to businesses with limited brewery, craft distillery, winery, or cidery licenses that want to sell products at seasonal farm markets (locations closed for at least 90 days annually). The bill does not change eligibility for permits or sales rules, only the maximum fee amount.

Maddy summaryS 2321 revises rules for professional guardians who care for incapacitated adults in New Jersey. The bill expands disqualification criteria to include self-dealing (using a guardian position for personal gain) and adds an affirmative duty for guardians to avoid abuse, neglect, or exploitation while acting in the ward's best interests. It establishes civil penalties of $5,000-$10,000 for guardians whose registration is suspended or revoked, in addition to other applicable penalties. This affects both professional guardians and the incapacitated adults under their care.

Maddy summaryS 2303, the Caregiver's Assistance Act, creates a refundable tax credit for New Jersey residents who provide care to a qualifying senior family member. Eligible caregivers can claim 22.5% of up to $3,000 in qualifying care expenses (like home health services or adult day care) annually, totaling a maximum $675 credit. To qualify, caregivers must earn under $100,000 (or $50,000 if filing separately), and the senior must be 60+ (or 50+ with Social Security Disability) and a relative with income below the state's Elder Index. The credit is refundable, meaning unused portions are paid as a tax refund, and it can be claimed alongside a dependent deduction.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's conservatorship laws to strengthen protections for conservatees (people under conservatorship) and proposed conservatees (people who may be placed under conservatorship). It requires conservatees and proposed conservatees to be represented by counsel throughout proceedings, mandates attorneys to personally interview them within 72 hours before hearings, and requires courts to appoint counsel if they cannot afford it. The bill also requires conservators to file detailed financial reports with the court every six months and mandates annual court reviews of these reports to ensure conservators act in the conservatee's best interests. Additionally, it removes a provision allowing any concerned person to initiate conservatorship proceedings and clarifies conservators' fiduciary duties and liability for breaches.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides New Jersey military spouses with a refundable gross income tax credit of up to $500 to cover professional relicensing fees incurred when relocating to the state due to a military permanent change of station order. It directly affects spouses of active-duty military members who must relicense their profession (e.g., nursing, law, engineering) after moving to New Jersey under military orders. The credit applies to fees for licenses required by New Jersey to practice a profession the spouse held before relocating, within 13 months of the relocation order. The credit reduces state tax liability and is claimed through forms issued by the New Jersey Division of Taxation.

Maddy summaryBill S 1410 eliminates the use of U.S. Census data in calculating state funding for special education. The bill changes New Jersey's school funding law to remove census-based metrics from the formula determining special education aid. Instead, funding will be based on projected pupil counts from prior years, not current Census data. This directly affects all school districts receiving special education aid by altering how their state funding is calculated.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Senate Bill S 2328 requires the State to use energy-efficient outdoor lighting fixtures when installing, replacing, or maintaining such fixtures with state funds. Specifically, it mandates that fixtures exceeding 1,800 lumens must be "cutoff luminaires" (directing light downward to minimize waste), while ensuring only the minimum necessary illumination is used for safety and functionality. The law exempts temporary uses (like emergencies or special events), historic properties, and situations where alternatives like reflective road markers suffice. It applies only to state-owned facilities and infrastructure (e.g., state buildings, highways), not to local governments or private property.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all horseback riders on New Jersey's State-owned lands to wear ASTM-compliant protective headgear with proper harness securing. It affects anyone engaging in equestrian activity on these public lands, mandating helmets meeting specific safety standards (verified by ASTM or Safety Equipment Institute certification). Riders violating the rule face fines up to $50 for a first offense and $200 for repeat violations, with all collected funds directed to the New Jersey Brain Injury Research Fund for grants supporting brain injury research. Clear signage must be posted at all trail entrances to inform riders of the requirement.