Sen. Latham Tiver

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey to issue special "South Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Association" license plates for motor vehicles. Owners pay a $50 one-time application fee and a $10 annual renewal fee (in addition to standard registration costs), with all fees deposited into a dedicated fund. The fund's money is split equally each year between the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (to support veterans' organizations) and the Emergency Management Section of the Division of State Police (to aid local emergency management groups). The program includes mechanisms to reimburse the Motor Vehicle Commission for administrative costs and allows discontinuation if annual plate costs exceed revenue for two consecutive years.

Maddy summaryThe "Affordable Home Energy Protection Act" (S 1929) prohibits New Jersey state agencies and local governments from adopting rules that restrict the installation, use, or replacement of natural gas, propane, or fuel oil appliances and heating systems in homes and businesses. It directly affects residents and property owners by blocking mandates that would force removal of existing combustion-based systems or require costly electric replacements. Key provisions prevent local rules from banning these appliances or requiring their removal, while allowing voluntary switches to electric systems and safety-related emergency orders. The bill aims to preserve energy choice and avoid financial burdens on households, particularly low- and moderate-income residents in older homes.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates New Jersey's State Highway Route 72 (from milepost 0 to 28.74) as the "Burlington-Ocean Purple Heart Memorial Highway" to honor military personnel who received the Purple Heart medal for wounds or sacrifice in service. It requires that private donations - not public funds - cover the costs of signs bearing this name, authorizing the Department of Transportation to accept gifts or grants from private groups for sign production and maintenance. The bill specifies that no state funds may be used for these signs and that agreements must be secured with private entities before any work begins. The bill is pending in the Senate Transportation Committee after its January 13, 2026 introduction.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases pension benefits for New Jersey police and firefighters (members of the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System) who become permanently disabled while on duty due to weapon-related injuries. It modifies the pension calculation so that affected members receive 100% of their final annual salary instead of the standard two-thirds, providing a significantly higher benefit. The change applies specifically to disabilities caused by weapons, as defined under New Jersey law, and does not alter other disability pension rules. This adjustment aims to better compensate first responders injured in line-of-duty incidents involving weapons.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 353 requires landowners to obtain a permit from their county agriculture development board before hosting an agriculture-related event on preserved farmland. The permit allows up to four annual events per farm, each lasting one week or weekend, and must temporarily disturb agricultural use without interfering with future farming. Events like pumpkin festivals, tractor pulls, or flower shows qualify, but the permit ensures they don’t violate land preservation restrictions. This law directly affects farmland owners and event organizers by creating a regulated process for temporary agricultural celebrations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) to study whether the state's public roads, bridges, and highways can safely handle the heavier weight of electric vehicles (including plug-in hybrids). Within six months, the DOT must examine each highway, rank them from least to most capable of accommodating EV weight, and recommend improvements. The study's findings will guide the prioritization of highway projects in the state's annual transportation plan, and project sponsors must certify that funded projects will enable highways to support EV weight. This directly affects highway planning and infrastructure funding decisions, with no immediate cost or service changes for drivers.

Maddy summaryThe "Patient and Provider Protection Act" regulates pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) in New Jersey, directly affecting PBMs, pharmacies (both contracted and independent), and patients who use prescription drugs. It requires PBMs to establish conflict-free committees managing drug formularies, ensures generic drugs are not disadvantaged over higher-cost alternatives, and bans commission-based PBM compensation in favor of flat fees. The bill mandates PBMs to prioritize long-term patient health outcomes, prohibits misleading marketing to steer patients to network pharmacies, and sets reimbursement rules: contracted pharmacies must be paid at least their acquisition cost, while independent pharmacies receive rates no more than 5% below the lowest contracted rate (but not below cost). It also bans contracts conditioning drug rebates on excluding generic drugs and prevents PBMs from restricting independent pharmacies from matching network prices and quantities.

Maddy summaryS 1889 authorizes New Jersey's Historical Commission to create a program promoting historic sites' projects on its website and collecting donations for them. The program would help historic sites and organizations gain public exposure and fundraise through the commission's platform, with donations going directly to the specific projects they support. The commission must review and approve projects before promotion, and organizations retain full control over how funds are used. This establishes a new mechanism for public support of New Jersey's historical preservation efforts without the commission offering financial returns or equity.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program through New Jersey's Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to help volunteer emergency responders reduce their student loan debt. To qualify, individuals must be New Jersey residents who completed an in-state undergraduate degree or certificate after the bill's effective date, serve as a volunteer firefighter, first aid/rescue squad member, or emergency management volunteer (meeting specific hour or response rate requirements), and provide documentation of active service. The program provides up to $6,000 in total loan relief, disbursed as $2,000 per year for the second, third, and fourth years of active service, with no relief in the first year. Participants must maintain active service and submit proof of participation to receive payments.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to waive the knowledge test for military service members applying for commercial driver licenses (CDLs) who operated commercial vehicles during their service. To qualify, applicants must provide proof of military service, a military CDL, and meet federal safety standards under 49 C.F.R. §383.77. The waiver does not apply to applicants seeking licenses for school buses, hazardous materials transport, or other specific vehicle types excluded under current law. It aligns with federal regulations allowing states to waive testing for qualified veterans while maintaining compliance with national safety requirements.