Sen. Latham Tiver

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the maximum age limit for appointment to the New Jersey State Police. Under current law, applicants must be under 35; this bill allows the age limit to increase by one year for each year of active military service (up to a maximum six-year extension). It directly affects veterans seeking to join the State Police, as their military service time counts toward the age cap. The change applies automatically based on verified military service records without requiring additional application steps.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to create a program where the state acts as a "purchaser of last resort" for unsold produce from farmers who cannot sell it elsewhere. The state will buy the produce at a reasonable market price and distribute it to food banks, homeless shelters, senior centers, adult day care centers, veterans organizations, and other nonprofits that provide food or meals to the public. Participation criteria for farmers and recipients will be established, and the program must comply with Department of Health food safety guidelines. The Department of Agriculture must request annual budget funding to implement the program.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1855) makes it a crime to falsely pretend to be a ride-hailing driver (like Uber or Lyft) to gain a benefit, harm someone, or commit fraud. It creates two offense levels: a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months in prison) for simply impersonating a driver, and a more serious third-degree crime (3-5 years in prison) if the person also uses fake identification. The law specifically excludes actual drivers who provide cash rides from being affected. It directly targets individuals committing fraud by impersonating drivers, not the drivers themselves or standard ride-hailing services.

Maddy summaryS 2453, the "Welcome Home Veterans Act," requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to provide veteran benefit information packets to veterans when issuing or renewing a license or ID card that includes a veteran designation. The MVC must provide both hardcopy and digital versions of specific materials, including the state Veterans’ Benefits Guide and the federal VA booklet on available benefits. This applies directly to New Jersey veterans who have a veteran designation on their license or ID card, ensuring they receive standardized information about state and federal benefits at the point of service. The bill mandates these packets be available at all MVC locations and online, with no additional requirements beyond the specified guides and contact information.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1593) expands existing law to require New Jersey school districts to allow graduating students who are active members of the U.S. Armed Forces to wear a military sash or stole issued by their service branch during high school graduation ceremonies. It directly affects eligible students who have met all diploma requirements and are otherwise qualified to participate in graduation. The key provision adds "military sash or stole" to the list of permitted attire (previously only dress uniforms were allowed), specifying these items must be issued by a recruiter upon enlistment. The change applies immediately upon enactment and applies to all public school districts in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $106.5 million from the Property Tax Relief Fund to provide Emergency Supplemental Aid to eligible New Jersey school districts. It targets districts that received less than $19,000 per resident student in 2024-2025 school aid, or those whose 2024-2025 aid was less than or only slightly higher ($200,000 max) than their 2023-2024 allocation. The aid amount for each qualifying district is calculated by multiplying $250 by its resident student count as of October 16, 2023. This funding directly aims to stabilize budgets for districts negatively impacted by P.L.2018, c.67 ("S2") school funding formulas.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1863) allows taxpayers to deduct up to $2,500 in nonreimbursed veterinary expenses for their pets from their gross income each year. It applies to costs for examinations and care of domesticated animals maintained in or near the taxpayer’s household, provided the veterinarian is licensed in New Jersey. The deduction is limited to expenses not covered by insurance or other reimbursement. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to promote community supported agriculture (CSA) programs. Within 180 days, the department must create a public website listing all CSA programs with searchable farm locations and subscription links, run statewide marketing campaigns through media and signage highlighting CSA benefits, and develop special labels for CSA products that clearly identify them as such. It also establishes an annual "Community Supported Agriculture Week" in February with events in schools, farms, and community spaces to showcase CSA's value. The bill directly affects New Jersey farmers participating in CSAs, consumers seeking local farm products, and the Department of Agriculture, which must implement these promotional activities using existing "Jersey Fresh" program funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a two-year pilot program to address staffing shortages at New Jersey's veterans memorial homes (Menlo Park, Paramus, and Vineland). It directly affects nurses and healthcare staff by offering education reimbursement for current employees pursuing licenses (e.g., LPN, RN) and providing recruitment bonuses of up to $6,000 for new hires. Key mechanisms include reimbursing tuition costs (capped at $7,500/semester) with a two-year work commitment after graduation, and allocating $120,000 for recruitment bonuses. The program appropriates $370,000 total from the Workforce Development Partnership Fund, requiring annual reports on participation and outcomes.

Maddy summaryS 1868 allows eligible volunteer firefighters, first aid squad members, and rescue squad members in New Jersey to claim a $500 deduction from their state gross income tax. To qualify, volunteers must serve the entire tax year and meet specific duty requirements: firefighters need 60% attendance at fire alarms/drills plus Firefighter I certification, while first aid/rescue members need 10% attendance at rescue alarms/drills plus EMT certification or approved training. Fire department and squad leaders must annually verify qualifying members to the state departments of Community Affairs and Health by March 31. The deduction applies only to qualifying individuals meeting all criteria and cannot exceed $500 per tax year. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 13, 2026, and awaits committee review.