Sen. Latham Tiver

Maddy summaryS 1877 provides New Jersey restaurant owners with tax credits to offset increased labor costs from the state's minimum wage hike. The bill calculates credits based on the difference between the new minimum wage (after P.L.2019, c.32) and the previous rate, multiplied by employee hours worked - $3 per hour for tipped staff, excluding delivery employees. Credits max out at $12,500 per employee and apply only to restaurants with five or fewer locations, covering up to 10 tax periods. This directly affects small restaurant businesses by reducing their tax burden tied to mandated wage increases.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1904) streamlines temporary licensing for nonresident military spouses who relocate to New Jersey with an active-duty service member. It requires licensing boards (including nursing and education boards) to issue temporary "courtesy licenses" to spouses who hold a valid out-of-state license in the same profession, have taught for at least three years in that state, and pass background checks. The temporary license, valid for up to four years with possible extensions, allows spouses to work while pursuing full New Jersey certification. It specifically exempts spouses from redundant requirements that already met in their home state. The bill directly affects military spouses moving to New Jersey for a permanent military assignment.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits paid to eligible retired members of New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). It requires the PFRS board of trustees to restore these COLAs to their previous statutory level without requiring additional contributions from retirees, provided actuarial certification confirms the change won't increase employer costs or jeopardize the system's long-term financial health. The policy directly affects retired police officers and firefighters who receive benefits under the PFRS. The change reverses a prior reduction to these automatic inflation adjustments for this specific retirement system.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from requiring children under 16 to obtain a horseback riding permit or pay the $2.00 nonrefundable application fee when riding in state wildlife management areas. It directly affects minors under 16 who participate in horseback riding within these areas. The key provision is a clear statutory ban on both the permit requirement and fee for this age group, effective immediately. The bill does not alter requirements for riders aged 16 or older.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an independent Veterans' Memorial Homes Oversight Board to review operations at New Jersey's veterans' homes. The board directly affects the Menlo Park, Vineland, and Paramus Veterans' Memorial Homes (and any future homes), with a mandate to examine complaints, investigations, and systemic issues. Key provisions include a 12-member board with specific appointments (staff, family members, veterans' organization reps), monthly legislative reporting on home operations and corrective actions, and authority to request relevant government records. The board operates separately from the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs but receives administrative support from it.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a constitutional right to choose whether to use assisted reproductive technology (ART), including in vitro fertilization (IVF), to New Jersey's existing reproductive rights protections. It explicitly expands the state constitution's recognition of reproductive choice to cover ART, ensuring individuals cannot be barred from accessing these services by state law. Any existing or new law that conflicts with this right would be deemed invalid. The change applies to all individuals present in New Jersey, including those under state supervision, and aligns with the state's longstanding support for reproductive freedom.

Maddy summaryS 2058 would amend New Jersey's tax code to exclude tips from gross income tax calculations. The bill removes tips from the list of taxable income categories in the state's definition of gross income, meaning tips earned by workers would no longer be subject to state income tax. This change would directly affect individuals who rely on tips for income, such as restaurant servers, bartenders, and hospitality workers. As a result, these workers would have a lower taxable income and potentially pay less in state income tax.

Maddy summaryThis bill suspends two specific charges on residential electric and gas utility bills in New Jersey for four months (June 1-September 30, 2025). It eliminates the state sales and use tax (under the Sales and Use Tax Act) and the societal benefits charge (under P.L.1999, c.23) that typically appear on customer bills. The suspension directly affects residential utility customers by reducing their monthly bills during a period when electricity rates are projected to increase 17.2-20.2%. The goal is to provide immediate relief from anticipated higher costs, as the state Board of Public Utilities announced upcoming rate hikes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a "Welcome Home Veterans Bonus" program within New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). It provides cash payments to eligible veterans who served in specific military operations (like Operation Enduring Freedom), were honorably discharged, and resided in New Jersey for at least six months before entering service. Veterans receive $1,000 for overseas service with hostile fire pay, $500 for domestic or non-hostile overseas service, and $300 for certain expeditionary medal service, with additional 50% payments for subsequent deployments. The program also includes eligibility for veterans discharged due to sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status (per DD-214), and provides payments to heirs for deceased veterans meeting criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey taxpayers to deduct up to $1,500 of charitable contributions made to qualifying New Jersey animal shelters from their state gross income tax. It specifically defines "animal shelter" as a licensed facility caring for abandoned, lost, or endangered domestic animals until adoption, relocation, or euthanasia, including municipal animal control facilities. The deduction applies to donations made in a taxable year to shelters meeting these criteria. The policy change takes effect for taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date.