Sen. Latham Tiver

Maddy summaryS 1901 makes commercial farm owners in New Jersey eligible to apply for and receive energy efficiency incentives through the state's Clean Energy Program (NJCEP). The bill requires the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create a program helping farm owners conduct energy audits - assessing energy use and identifying conservation measures - to maximize savings. It also mandates the BPU to publish all available farm-specific incentives online. This addresses a gap where commercial farms were excluded from NJCEP programs (unlike residential dwellings on farms), directly benefiting farm operators seeking to improve energy efficiency.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a special enrollment period for New Jersey residents enrolled in individual health insurance plans when their healthcare provider leaves the plan's network during their current coverage period. It directly affects individuals and their dependents who lose access to a provider they previously used. The key provision requires the state health board to create a minimum 30-day window for affected enrollees to switch plans, with insurers responsible for notifying them of the enrollment dates. The policy change ensures people aren't locked into coverage when their providers become out-of-network, aligning with existing open enrollment rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $10 million grant program within New Jersey's Department of Health to help volunteer emergency services groups recover from pandemic-related financial losses. It directly affects volunteer fire companies, first aid squads, rescue teams, and ambulance services that lost income due to canceled fundraising events under pandemic restrictions. Grants will be awarded based on documented past fundraising activity, with applications managed through the Department's website and funded entirely by existing federal pandemic relief monies. The program expires once all $10 million is distributed.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 477) exempts specific baby products from the state's sales tax. It directly affects parents and caregivers purchasing cribs, child restraint systems (like car seats meeting federal safety standards), nursing bottles/nipples/funnels, and strollers. The key provision removes the sales tax on these items, which are currently taxed under the "Sales and Use Tax Act." The goal is to reduce costs for essential infant care products, as stated in the bill's summary. The exemption takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1869) expands New Jersey’s family leave law to explicitly include bereavement leave for miscarriage or stillbirth. It directly affects employees working for employers with 30+ staff (reducing the prior threshold of 50 employees for some periods) who need time to grieve such losses. The key provision adds "miscarriage or stillbirth of a child" to the existing definition of qualifying reasons for 12 weeks of job-protected leave within a 24-month period. The bill amends existing law (P.L.1989, c.261) to clarify that this leave is available under the state’s family leave framework, without creating new requirements beyond the existing 12-week entitlement.

Maddy summaryS 1845 requires New Jersey electric, gas, water, and sewer utilities to notify customers directly about public hearings on proposed rate increases. Utilities must include clear notice in customer bills or electronic statements and publish it in local newspapers serving each county. The bill also revises hearing locations to be held in the largest-population municipality affected in each county, and mandates that the Board of Public Utilities must address public questions and comments during these hearings. This directly affects utility customers and the rate-setting process for regulated public utilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey disabled veterans to deduct up to $5,000 annually from their gross income for service animal expenses, including purchasing, training, and maintenance costs like food, grooming, and veterinary care. To qualify, a veteran must be a New Jersey resident honorably discharged from military service with a service-connected disability as confirmed by the U.S. Veterans Administration. The deduction applies to expenses not already covered by existing medical expense deductions and requires submitting proof of eligibility to the Division of Taxation. It will take effect for tax returns filed for the 2024 tax year and beyond.

Maddy summaryThis bill triples the maximum property tax exemption amounts for improvements to single-family homes over 20 years old under New Jersey's "Five-Year Exemption and Abatement Law." It increases statutory limits from $5,000/$15,000/$25,000 to $15,000/$45,000/$75,000 for the value of improvements, allowing municipalities to set higher exemption tiers. The law specifically applies to single dwelling units (not multi-unit properties), meaning homeowners making qualifying upgrades to older single-family homes would see reduced property tax assessments for up to five years. The change takes effect for tax years beginning January 1 after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all battlefield cross memorials in New Jersey - both existing and future ones - to include replicas of a vertical rifle, helmet, boots, and dog tags in their traditional configuration. It applies to every memorial designated as a "battlefield cross" within the state, ensuring consistency with the recognized symbol that emerged after the Gulf War. The law mandates this specific arrangement as a standard for honoring fallen service members, building on historical practices dating to World War II. The requirement takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires local government units receiving loans or guarantees from the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to create programs helping military- or veteran-owned businesses compete for contracts. It adds this requirement to existing rules that already mandate programs for minority workers and socially disadvantaged contractors. The law directs the Infrastructure Bank to adopt rules ensuring at least 10% of contract funds support small businesses owned by disadvantaged individuals (with federal project requirements adjusted per federal law). It directly affects local governments managing infrastructure projects funded by the bank and military/veteran-owned businesses seeking contract opportunities. The change supplements current contracting policies without altering other existing requirements.