Sen. Troy Singleton

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5049) removes a current restriction that allows the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) to withhold retirement or death benefits from members if they are involved in pending civil lawsuits related to their employment. It specifically prohibits the PFRS Board from delaying benefits due to such civil litigation, though it maintains the ability to withhold benefits for members facing criminal charges or administrative dismissal. The bill requires the Board to adjust benefits after any legal case concludes, rather than holding payments indefinitely during litigation. This change directly affects current and future PFRS members who are involved in employment-related civil disputes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4603) allows commercial farmers in New Jersey to recover reasonable legal costs and attorney fees when defending against complaints they win under the "Right to Farm Act." It directly affects farmers who successfully prove a complaint was filed in bad faith and that their farming activity met the Act's legal standards. Key provisions require farmers to apply to their county agriculture board or the State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC), which must then determine if the complaint was filed in bad faith (by a preponderance of evidence) and if the costs/fees are reasonable before ordering the complainant to pay. The change provides a specific remedy for farmers facing frivolous legal challenges, strengthening existing protections under the Act.

Maddy summaryS 4867, the "New Jersey Responsible AI Advancement and Workforce Protection Act," establishes a framework to regulate AI deployment while protecting workers and communities. It requires AI infrastructure companies (large computing facilities) to pay a 5% fee on AI revenue into the AI Horizon Fund, which funds retraining programs for workers displaced by AI, environmental impact assessments for AI facilities, and community benefit agreements with municipalities. The bill mandates algorithmic impact assessments for high-risk AI systems (used in employment, housing, healthcare, etc.) before deployment and requires employers with 100+ staff to disclose layoffs caused by AI and contribute to the fund. It also empowers the Attorney General to investigate AI-driven discrimination and enforce civil rights protections related to AI. These provisions directly affect AI companies, large employers, workers in at-risk sectors, and local communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4971) creates a "Small Business Interruption Grant Program" administered by New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA). It provides grants to small businesses in low-income communities (defined as municipalities under 10,000 population with >7.5% poverty rate) that suffered economic loss due to prolonged state infrastructure or construction projects. Grants are based on actual or projected revenue loss from closures or reduced business, with $750,000 appropriated from the General Fund to fund the program. Businesses must independently own and operate (<100 employees), be located in a qualifying community, and demonstrate project-related revenue loss to qualify.

Maddy summaryThis bill reassigns $45 million in state funding from the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund to the General Fund for opioid-related care and treatment at certain hospitals. The funds must be used by the Department of Human Services to implement the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Advisory Council's strategic plan, which was issued in June 2025. It directly affects hospitals providing opioid treatment services by ensuring funding aligns with the council's recommendations for statewide opioid care. The change clarifies the budget source while maintaining that the money will support the council's established plan through 2030.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the FY2026 state budget for New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) by $16.7 million to raise the monthly reimbursement rate paid to care management organizations (CMOs). The rate will increase from $1,032 to $1,200 per client in FY2026, with annual $100 increases until reaching $1,500 per client. CMOs, which coordinate care for youth with complex behavioral health needs, substance use disorders, or developmental disabilities, directly benefit from this funding change. The adjustment is implemented through a specific line item in the state's annual appropriations act.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Gold Star Family Annuity Program" within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. It provides an annual $600 payment (starting January 1 each year) to eligible New Jersey residents who are surviving family members (spouses, domestic partners, parents, siblings, children, or legal guardians) of service members who died while on active duty for the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard. Payments will increase annually by up to 4% based on changes to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, but only for New Jersey residents who maintain residency and provide proof of their relationship to the deceased service member. The Adjutant General administers the program, including application processing and annual residency verification.

Maddy summaryS 1510 would require New Jersey to adopt year-round daylight saving time (EDT) once federal law permits states to do so. If enacted, it would amend state statutes to define New Jersey's standard time as Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) permanently, eliminating the current biannual time changes. The bill directly affects all residents and businesses across New Jersey by making the current daylight saving time period permanent. It does not change federal law but prepares the state to implement year-round EDT immediately upon federal authorization. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Transportation Committee after being reported out of the State Government Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey sewer authorities from charging new connection or tapping fees when redeveloping properties that have been connected to the sewer system for 20 or more years. It directly affects property owners and occupants of such long-connected properties during redevelopment projects. The law includes an exception if the redevelopment requires modifying or relocating existing sewer connections. Authorities must also refund fees paid under protest for improper charges before this law took effect. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires municipalities to share certain payments in lieu of property taxes (PILOTs) with school districts when urban renewal projects benefit from long-term property tax exemptions. For residential projects, municipalities must remit to school districts an amount calculated by multiplying the number of school-age children residing in the project by the base per pupil amount determined by the Commissioner of Education. For nonresidential or mixed-use projects, school districts would receive 5% of the PILOT amount. The bill also mandates that municipalities provide the Department of Community Affairs, counties, and school districts with information about property tax exemptions and abatements, including applications, approvals, and annual audits.