Sen. Latham Tiver

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 1364, provides New Jersey veterans with tuition-free education at their local county college for up to 60 credits. To qualify, veterans must be New Jersey residents who served honorably in the military and apply for all available state, federal, and VA benefits (including the Post-9/11 GI Bill) before receiving this tuition waiver. Military service credits earned at the college count toward the 60-credit limit. The benefit applies only to tuition, not other fees, and takes effect for the first full academic year after enactment.

Maddy summaryS 4040 requires New Jersey state agencies, counties, municipalities, school districts, and other public entities to purchase 5% of their goods and services from the Central Nonprofit Agency (CNA). The CNA distributes products made by rehabilitation facilities that employ people who are blind or have severe disabilities, supporting their employment through guaranteed market access. The bill mandates training for purchasing agents on the CNA program and grants the agency a right of first refusal for goods/services within 15% of fair market value. Public entities must report compliance with these requirements to the State Treasurer and the Legislature annually.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state program to permanently restrict development on qualifying privately-owned woodlands through easement acquisitions. Landowners with woodlands meeting specific criteria (minimum 20 acres, used for agriculture/forest products, or managed under approved stewardship plans) can participate. The State Agriculture Development Committee will administer the program using existing farmland preservation funds and seek federal programs like the Forest Legacy Program, with easements recorded similarly to property deeds. The goal is to preserve forested lands for agricultural, silvicultural, and conservation purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to include age-appropriate instruction about fentanyl and xylazine dangers in health classes for students in grades 6 through 12. The curriculum must cover prevention, symptoms of poisoning, emergency response, and legal protections for seeking help, using resources from federal agencies like the CDC and DEA. School districts must provide this instruction as part of existing health education standards, with the state education commissioner supplying approved materials and maintaining online resources for staff and parents. Annual reports will evaluate the program's effectiveness in reducing youth drug poisoning. The bill directly affects all New Jersey public schools and their students in grades 6-12.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies eligibility rules for New Jersey's State small business set-aside program, which helps direct state government contracts to small businesses. It specifies that employee count requirements apply only to businesses without a federal revenue standard (13 CFR §121.201), and changes how gross revenue is calculated: businesses must now use a 5-year average (instead of 3 years) of revenue history for eligibility. This directly affects businesses seeking state contracts under the program, requiring updated revenue reporting. The changes update the existing Set-Aside Act (P.L.1983, c.482) and supersede certain existing regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to promote state-produced aquaculture products (farm-raised fish and shellfish) through the existing Jersey Fresh Program. It requires an annual $100,000 appropriation from the General Fund to fund advertising and promotion of these products, which must meet department-established quality standards. The Department must also create a specific quality grading system for aquaculture products, distinct from wild-caught seafood, to verify their quality under the program. This directly benefits New Jersey aquaculture businesses by expanding market access for their products through state marketing efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill, "Max's Law," requires New Jersey public school districts to include age-appropriate instruction about fentanyl and xylazine dangers in health classes for students in grades 6 through 12. The curriculum must cover prevention, symptoms of poisoning, emergency response, and relevant laws protecting those seeking help. School districts must use resources from federal agencies like the CDC and NIH, and the state education department will provide materials and post online resources for staff, students, and parents. The law takes effect immediately, applying to the first full school year after enactment, with annual reports evaluating its impact on youth drug use and poisoning.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey state agencies and local governments (including counties, municipalities, school districts, and public authorities) to purchase 5% of their goods and services from the Central Nonprofit Agency (CNA). The CNA distributes products made at rehabilitation facilities that employ people with disabilities. Key provisions include mandating training for purchasing agents on the CNA program, requiring quarterly reporting on compliance, and granting the CNA a "right of first refusal" for goods/services if priced within 15% of fair market value. The law aims to support employment for people with disabilities by ensuring a steady market for goods produced at rehabilitation facilities.

Maddy summaryS 4864 allows municipalities, counties, school districts, and fire districts to use project labor agreements for public works projects costing less than $5 million, which is currently the minimum threshold for such agreements under New Jersey law. This bill removes the $5 million cost barrier specifically for these local units, enabling them to voluntarily negotiate project labor agreements on smaller projects without requiring the project to meet the existing threshold. The change does not affect the $5 million requirement for state-level projects or other public entities. Local governments will now have the option to use project labor agreements on projects under $5 million to promote labor stability, cost efficiency, and project completion goals.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5422) allows businesses registered with New Jersey's Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services to opt into receiving updates about new regulations and economic incentives via email instead of paper mail. It directly affects businesses required to register with the Division (including corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships, but excluding nonprofits and government agencies). Key provisions include: businesses can provide an email address during registration or renewal to receive digital notifications, the Division shares these emails with the Department of Labor for communication, and businesses can later switch back to paper mail by requesting it. The bill replaces mandatory paper notices with an electronic option while maintaining the ability to revert to traditional mail.