Sen. Latham Tiver

Maddy summaryThis bill restructures the governance of New Jersey's State Health Benefits Program by creating a new 13-member State Health Benefits Commission. The commission will include existing state officials, representatives from local and higher education employers, and members appointed by various public employee unions, including specific seats for police and firefighters. It also establishes a process for selecting an independent expert to advise on health plan design while ensuring the commission operates with a majority vote requirement. The legislation mandates that commission members serve without pay but receive expense reimbursement, and it requires the commission to publish an annual financial report for public review.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates approximately $64.8 million from various constitutionally dedicated funds to the State Agriculture Development Committee in New Jersey to support farmland preservation. The money will be used to purchase development easements or full ownership of farmland, provide grants to counties and municipalities for up to 80 percent of acquisition costs, and offer grants to non-profit organizations for up to 50 percent of such costs. Additionally, the legislation allocates $2.7 million specifically for stewardship activities like soil and water conservation and deer fencing on preserved lands. Any farmland bought with these funds must be resold or leased with agricultural restrictions to ensure it remains used for farming purposes.

Maddy summaryS 3387 allows New Jersey National Guard members to transfer part of their tuition benefit to a spouse or dependent child. Currently, Guard members receive up to 16 tuition-free credits per semester at New Jersey public colleges. Under this bill, a spouse can receive the full benefit (100%, up to 16 credits), while a dependent child receives half (50%, up to 8 credits). To qualify, the spouse or child must be enrolled as a student and have applied for other available financial aid, and the member can only transfer the benefit to one person.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey residents to apply for special "250th Anniversary Revolutionary War" license plates for their vehicles. Owners would pay a $50 one-time application fee plus a $10 annual renewal fee, with all collected funds deposited into a dedicated "250th Anniversary Revolutionary War License Plate Fund." The fund would be used annually to support and preserve Revolutionary War sites across New Jersey, after covering administrative costs. The New Jersey Historical Commission would collaborate with the Motor Vehicle Commission on design and promotion.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the State of New Jersey to provide annual financial aid to specific small municipalities where a significant portion of the land is owned by the State or counties. To qualify, a town must have a population of 30,000 or fewer and contain at least 10 percent of its total acreage as State-owned or county-owned property, such as schools, hospitals, and government offices. Under the new rules, eligible towns would receive a payment of $500 for every acre of this exempt property located within their borders. The process involves local assessors reporting the acreage annually, after which the State calculates the payment and distributes the funds by August 1 from the Property Tax Relief Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the South Jersey Transportation Authority to offer a 50 percent toll discount to eligible veterans. To qualify, a veteran must own or lease a New Jersey-registered vehicle linked to an active electronic toll collection account and provide proof of honorable discharge from the military or National Guard. The authorities must approve applications based on standard military separation documents or valid state and federal veteran identification cards. This change would directly affect New Jersey veterans who use electronic tolling systems on turnpikes and bridges in the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the New Jersey Department of Children and Families to create a statewide program offering therapeutic treatment and counseling for children and their families exposed to domestic violence. To support this initiative, the department will provide grants to service providers, assign staff to assist with implementation, and require participating organizations to keep detailed records of their services. The legislation also mandates that the department collect data on program participation and effectiveness, reporting these findings annually to the Governor and the Legislature. Funding for the program will be drawn from the state's General Fund, and the act takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill increases the state gross income tax deduction for veterans from $6,000 to $9,000. To qualify, individuals must have been honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances from active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, reserve components, or the New Jersey National Guard. The legislation also mandates that the $9,000 deduction amount be adjusted annually for inflation starting in tax year 2027 based on the Chained Consumer Price Index. These changes apply to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryS 1903 establishes the New Jersey Military Family Relief Fund, a permanent fund in the State Treasury funded by voluntary taxpayer contributions designated on state income tax returns. The fund provides grants of up to $2,500 to cover essential expenses like food, housing, and medical costs for New Jersey residents who are active-duty military members (including reserves), National Guard members, veterans (with honorable discharge), or surviving spouses of eligible service members. To qualify, applicants must be NJ residents for at least 12 consecutive months, demonstrate financial hardship, and cannot receive more than one grant within a 12-month period. The Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs administers the program, determining eligibility and issuing grants from available funds.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill introduces a gross income tax credit for taxpayers who own household pets, specifically dogs or cats kept for companionship. The legislation allows owners to claim up to $300 annually for everyday pet expenses like food and supplies, plus an additional $600 for veterinary care, with a combined maximum credit of $900 per year. To receive this benefit, owners must file their tax returns with documentation proving pet ownership and receipts for the qualifying expenses. The law explicitly excludes pets used in breeding, research, law enforcement, or medical settings from this credit.