Sen. Latham Tiver

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts surviving spouses and surviving civil union partners of disabled veterans from New Jersey's realty transfer fees. Specifically, it applies when the veteran qualified for a property tax exemption at death under existing law (C.54:4-3.30) for their home. The exemption covers both the basic state fee and the supplemental fee for selling a one- or two-family home they owned and occupied. It directly affects eligible veterans' spouses/partners who lose their home sale tax burden, aligning their treatment with current exemptions for disabled homeowners. The change amends existing fee exemption statutes to include this group.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1899) allows disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients with specific license plates to park in spaces reserved for people with disabilities. It directly affects New Jersey residents who hold disabled veteran license plates or Purple Heart plates certified by a doctor as limiting mobility. The key provision lets these individuals use their existing plates to park in disability zones without needing additional permits, though Purple Heart holders must carry medical certification proving mobility limitations and show it to police if asked. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1853) provides tax credits to small business employers (fewer than 25 employees, under $1 million annual revenue) and farm employers for increased mandatory insurance costs. It allows a credit equal to the difference between current-year costs for workers' compensation, disability, and unemployment insurance versus the prior year’s costs for the same employees/wages, capped at $12,000 annually. The credit applies to corporation business tax and gross income tax filings for tax periods starting January 1, 2020, through December 31, 2029. Businesses cannot use the same costs for other tax credits or incentives during overlapping periods.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to pay back local governments - such as counties, towns, fire districts, or other local agencies - for actual costs they incur while responding to emergencies in state parks or forests. Local units must submit a written invoice with supporting documentation within 30 days of the emergency, and the DEP must complete reimbursement within 30 days of receiving the invoice. The law applies only to costs paid after the bill becomes law. It does not create new emergency response duties but ensures local entities are compensated for existing costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to authorize third-party vendors - such as private driving schools, employers, or local government agencies - to administer both knowledge and skills tests for commercial driver licenses (CDLs). It directly affects CDL applicants, who will have more testing options, and vendors seeking to provide these services. Key provisions include removing the MVC's prior ability to limit the number of authorized vendors, capping third-party skills test fees at the state's actual cost, and clarifying that vendor authorization no longer depends on an unimplemented 2017 pilot program. The law takes immediate effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how vacancies are filled on school boards in New Jersey's limited purpose regional school districts. Currently, vacancies are typically filled by the remaining members of the regional board, but this bill requires vacancies to instead be filled by a majority vote of the board from the constituent district that originally appointed the member. It directly affects limited purpose regional districts - those serving specialized educational needs like special education or vocational programs - and shifts authority from the regional board to the constituent district. The change ensures the district that contributed the member has direct input in filling the vacancy, rather than the regional board making the decision.

Maddy summaryS 2881 requires New Jersey professional and occupational boards to issue licenses, certificates, or registrations to veterans who hold a valid license in good standing from another state or jurisdiction. It applies to veterans with an honorable or general, honorable discharge from military service (including the NJ National Guard) who provide proof of their out-of-state license and meet all other licensure requirements, including examinations. Boards must evaluate equivalent training, education, or experience without requiring identical hours of experience as in other jurisdictions. This policy change directly affects veterans seeking to practice professions like nursing, engineering, or contracting in New Jersey without duplicating licensing requirements. The bill aims to facilitate career transitions for veterans by recognizing their existing credentials.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates state income tax on all New Jersey Lottery winnings, removing the current $10,000 threshold that previously made larger prizes taxable. It directly affects New Jersey residents who win lottery prizes, ensuring all winnings - regardless of amount - are excluded from gross income tax calculations. The bill also eliminates the requirement for the New Jersey State Lottery to withhold 3% tax from prize payments, which currently applies to winnings over $10,000. This changes the tax treatment from a partial exclusion to a full exemption for all lottery prizes. The policy change would apply to all taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryS 1924 prohibits New Jersey counties from purchasing or installing entirely new voting systems (including machines, tabulators, and software) during calendar years that include a U.S. Presidential election. This applies to all voting equipment used in elections, but does not restrict counties from replacing broken, outdated, or defective equipment or supplementing existing systems. The bill aims to prevent potential election-day disruptions by avoiding the introduction of unfamiliar voting technology during high-turnout presidential elections. It takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThe SAFE Act (S 1915) creates a New Jersey scholarship program to help low-income teens aged 16-17 cover the cost of a required six-hour behind-the-wheel driver education course. It appropriates $1 million from the state General Fund to provide scholarships covering the full course cost or $500 (whichever is less) for eligible residents from households at or below twice the federal poverty level. To qualify, applicants must be NJ residents, pass a written driving exam, and meet income requirements. The program, administered by the Motor Vehicle Commission, will award scholarships on a rolling basis as funds allow, with annual reports to the Governor and Legislature. The bill is pending in the Senate Transportation Committee.