Sen. Carmen Amato

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "Amber Alert Fund" in the New Jersey Department of Treasury. It requires a $400 fee on individuals convicted of specific crimes against minors (under age 18), such as certain sexual offenses or abuse, in addition to existing fines. The collected fees fund the Amber Alert system, with money distributed to the State Police's Missing Persons Unit for system improvements and programs to recover abducted children. The bill amends existing statutes to direct these fees into the new fund, ensuring dedicated funding for child safety initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to take responsibility for dredging all waterways providing boat access to "lagoon communities" (coastal developments built with lagoons for property access), regardless of whether they're officially designated as navigational channels. It mandates the DEP to maintain these waterways for environmental and economic health, appropriating $6 million for the effort. The DEP must create a list of affected waterways within one year of the bill's effective date. This directly affects residents and property owners in these coastal communities who rely on boat access.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows municipalities in coastal areas with lagoon communities to contract for dredging waterways that serve as boat-access routes for residential developments. It authorizes financing through special assessments on property owners who benefit from the dredging or by issuing bonds under existing law. The bill specifically defines "lagoon community" as coastal residential areas where waterways function as streets for boat transportation. It covers both maintenance and restorative dredging to preserve access but does not require municipalities to use this option.

Maddy summaryS 1906 (providing payment of penalty moneys to small municipalities) requires that when a small municipality (population under 2,000) handles fish and game law violations in its municipal court, 50% of recovered penalty money goes to the municipality and 50% to the Division of Fish and Wildlife. This applies to both state violations and federal violations handled locally, unless federal law prohibits it. The bill updates a law that previously sent all penalty money to the Division, recognizing small towns bear enforcement costs without reimbursement. Municipal officials must forward funds within 30 days, with failure treated as a fourth-degree crime.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 49) urges the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to immediately pause sonar testing and wind turbine mapping activities off New Jersey's coast. It follows a surge in unexplained marine mammal deaths - 12 whale deaths (including 8 humpbacks) and 5 dolphin deaths in February 2023 - occurring near offshore wind energy development zones. The resolution cites concerns that sonar and underwater mapping used in these projects may disrupt marine mammals' navigation and communication, warranting a temporary halt for scientific study. As a non-binding resolution, it does not impose legal restrictions but requests agencies consider a moratorium while investigating potential links to the marine life deaths.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1931) changes New Jersey's property tax law to require decommissioned nuclear power plants to pay taxes on spent nuclear fuel stored on-site. Currently, this fuel is excluded from taxation under the state's business personal property rules, but the bill removes that exclusion. The tax would apply directly to the spent fuel itself as taxable property, not to the plant or other assets. It affects nuclear facilities that have decommissioned but still hold spent fuel on their premises.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's penalties for heroin offenses by lowering the quantity thresholds that trigger higher felony charges. Specifically, it increases penalties for first-degree crimes (now triggered by 2.5 ounces or more of heroin), second-degree crimes (0.17 ounces to 2.5 ounces), and third-degree crimes (less than 0.17 ounces). These changes apply directly to individuals convicted of manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing heroin. The bill also specifies mandatory minimum prison terms and higher fines for these offenses, with first-degree convictions carrying up to $500,000 fines and mandatory minimum sentences.

Maddy summaryS 927 allows New Jersey volunteer firefighters and first aid/rescue squad members to claim a $5,000 state income tax deduction if they meet specific service requirements. To qualify, firefighters must perform 60% of fire duty (e.g., 400 duty hours annually with ≤50% for drills) and hold Firefighter I certification, while rescue members must perform 10% of rescue duty (e.g., 400 hours or 10% alarm attendance) and complete approved training or hold EMT certification. Volunteers must serve the entire tax year, and departments must verify eligibility by submitting annual lists to state health and community affairs agencies by March 31. The deduction is limited to $5,000 per year and requires submission of proof with tax returns.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1924) requires retail businesses to truncate credit and debit card account numbers on all sales receipts - both given to customers and kept by merchants - to show only the last five digits. It updates existing law to explicitly cover debit cards (previously only credit cards) and applies to electronically printed receipts, excluding handwritten or physical card imprints. Violations carry a $1,000 civil penalty. The law affects all retail stores, restaurants, and service providers processing card payments in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill would increase New Jersey's property tax deduction for seniors and disabled residents, raising the annual income limit from $10,000 to $25,000 and the deduction amount from $250 to $500 per year. It directly affects eligible residents aged 65+ or permanently disabled individuals with income under $25,000 who own or rent their homes. The changes, which have not updated since 1983, would take effect only after voters approve a constitutional amendment. The bill amends existing law (N.J.S.A. 54:4-8.41) to reflect these new limits.