Sen. Latham Tiver

Maddy summaryS 3346 requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Transportation to create and maintain a searchable website displaying information about federally funded transportation infrastructure projects. The website must include project details like cost, dates, responsible entities, and data on minority and women-owned business participation and employment impacts. The State Comptroller will monitor the website's operation and publish annual reports on its effectiveness and the employment statistics related to these projects. This bill applies to all state agencies administering federal transportation funds and aims to increase transparency in how these funds are allocated and spent.

Maddy summaryThe SAFE Act establishes the NJ Behind-The-Wheel Driver Education Scholarship Program, providing financial assistance to low-income New Jersey residents aged 16-17 who need to complete a mandatory six-hour behind-the-wheel driver education course. Eligible individuals must be state residents, pass a written exam, and demonstrate household income at or below twice the federal poverty level. The program covers up to $500 or the full course cost (whichever is less) through a $1 million appropriation from the General Fund, administered by the Motor Vehicle Commission. Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis as applications are submitted, with annual reports tracking usage and recommending future funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows disabled veterans in New Jersey to claim a $5,000 deduction from their gross income for service animal expenses not already covered by medical expense deductions. It directly affects disabled veterans who are honorably discharged and have a service-connected disability recognized by the U.S. Veterans Administration. Key provisions include deducting costs for purchasing, training, and maintaining service animals (such as food, grooming, and veterinary care), with "service animal" defined per the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. The deduction applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2024, and requires taxpayers to submit proof to the Division of Taxation.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to create a program where the state acts as a "purchaser of last resort" for unsold produce from farmers who cannot sell it elsewhere. It requires the department to buy this produce at a reasonable market price and distribute it to food banks, homeless shelters, senior centers, adult day care centers, veterans organizations, and other nonprofit food providers. The program must comply with Department of Health food safety guidelines, and the Department of Agriculture must request annual budget funding to implement it. This directly affects farmers facing unsold crops and nonprofit organizations serving food-insecure communities.

Maddy summarySCR 105 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring revenue from an additional registration fee on zero-emission vehicles to be dedicated exclusively to New Jersey's transportation system. If the legislature imposes such a fee, the amendment mandates that the annual revenue from it - starting July 1, 2025 - must fund transportation projects like road repairs and construction. The amendment does not require the fee to be created; it only applies if the fee is enacted, and it prohibits using these funds for any purpose other than transportation. This would direct specific revenue streams into a dedicated transportation fund without changing standard vehicle registration fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a two-year program to address staffing shortages at New Jersey's veterans memorial homes (Menlo Park, Paramus, and Vineland). It creates two key mechanisms: (1) a scholarship program reimbursing current staff for nursing education (LPN/RN) with a mandatory two-year work commitment post-graduation, and (2) recruitment bonuses of up to $6,000 per new nurse, paid over two years. The $370,000 appropriation allocates $120,000 for recruitment bonuses and $250,000 for education reimbursements, with repayment requirements for staff leaving early. The program also mandates specialized training in geriatric care, PTSD management, and trauma-informed care for veterans, requiring annual reports on outcomes to the legislature.

Maddy summaryS 3260 establishes a program within New Jersey's veterans' memorial homes to provide direct support to families of residents, including spouses, domestic partners, civil union partners, and children (all New Jersey residents). The program, managed by resident advocates at each home, will offer timely information on health updates, facility events, state/federal benefits, financial assistance, and counseling services - both on-site and through referrals to external resources. It requires the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to notify families and the public about the program and adopt necessary rules within 90 days of enactment.

Maddy summaryS 3250 exempts the purchase of pet food and certain pet medications from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It applies to pet food (including feed, vitamins, and liquids for household pets) and medications recognized as drugs by state veterinary or pharmacy boards, intended to affect a pet's health, or prescribed by a licensed veterinarian. The exemption covers legally owned companion pets kept in or near a household, excluding pets used for research or business. The tax change takes effect in the first full calendar quarter after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the residency requirement for the New Jersey Legislative Youth Council. It reduces the minimum residency period from 15 years to six consecutive months for "military children," defined as children of full-time active-duty U.S. Armed Forces service members. This adjustment directly affects military-connected youth who frequently relocate due to parental service, making council membership more accessible. The change applies only to this specific group within the council's 40 public member slots.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a state-funded counseling program to provide mental health support for family members of New Jersey's active duty military personnel and disabled veterans. It requires the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to reimburse licensed mental health professionals for up to 10 counseling sessions per year (in-person or telehealth) for eligible family members. Eligible family members include spouses, domestic partners, civil union partners, or children of active duty service members or disabled veterans who are New Jersey residents. The program will maintain a statewide list of participating providers, set uniform reimbursement rates, and conduct outreach to connect families with services. The bill takes effect 90 days after enactment.