Maddy summaryS 3215 establishes a state approval process for personal protective equipment (PPE) during public health emergencies, allowing non-federal-approved businesses to produce and supply PPE after review by New Jersey's Office of Emergency Management. It requires two state PPE stockpiles - one with federally approved PPE and one with state-approved PPE - with at least 50% of each stockpile made in New Jersey and 66% made in the U.S. The bill limits liability for entities using state-approved PPE during emergencies (except for gross negligence or fraud) and mandates free distribution of stockpiled PPE to state agencies, schools, hospitals, and nursing homes during emergencies, while allowing non-profits to purchase at 75% of market price.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 3219 establishes a 17-member Elementary Student Literacy Task Force to study reading proficiency in New Jersey's public elementary schools. The task force, including education officials, legislators' appointees, and education stakeholders, will examine current reading levels, analyze effective teaching methods, research national best practices, and study support for students with reading disabilities. It must submit a final report with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year of forming, focusing on improving literacy instruction and family engagement. The bill does not implement new programs but directs the task force to identify concrete steps for schools to help all students read at or above grade level.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax credit for New Jersey breweries and wineries that purchase Jersey Fresh-certified products (verified by the Department of Agriculture) for use in producing beer or wine. The credit equals the cost of those purchases, capped at $10,000 per tax year, and requires receipts, Department verification, and an affidavit confirming the products were used in production. Unused credit amounts may be carried forward to future tax years if not fully applied in the current year. The credit applies to both corporation business tax and gross income tax filings, directly benefiting eligible beverage producers who source locally certified agricultural products.
Maddy summaryS 3175 removes the requirement that public work contractors must participate in a registered apprenticeship program to bid on or perform construction projects covered by New Jersey's prevailing wage laws. The bill repeals a previous provision (P.L.2021, c.423, section 6) that mandated this participation. Instead, it establishes standards for apprenticeship programs that contractors may choose to use, requiring that any such program's training requirements meet or exceed U.S. Department of Labor standards. This change directly affects contractors bidding on or working on public construction projects subject to prevailing wage requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3099) revises New Jersey's self-defense laws by removing the duty to retreat before using force. It states that a person is justified in using non-deadly force to defend against imminent unlawful force, and deadly force is permitted to prevent imminent death, serious injury, or specific violent crimes (like murder or aggravated assault under the "Three Strikes" law), without needing to retreat. The bill repeals existing statutes (N.J.S.2C:3-4 through N.J.S.2C:3-7) and clarifies that individuals who are not committing a crime and are in a lawful location have the right to stand their ground. It directly affects anyone involved in self-defense situations, including law enforcement and civilians.
Maddy summaryThis bill restores state school aid for certain New Jersey school districts that faced funding reductions in the 2023-2024 school year and would face further cuts in 2024-2025. It shifts $64.9 million from existing appropriations and adds $145.2 million in new funding from the General Fund, totaling $210.1 million to cover the difference between prior aid levels and proposed 2024-2025 amounts. The funding specifically targets districts that received Supplemental Stabilization Aid under prior law (P.L.2023, c.32) or have a positive "State aid differential" under P.L.2018, c.67. This ensures affected districts receive aid equal to their 2023-2024 funding level, preventing further reductions.
Maddy summaryS 3039 allows New Jersey farmers and food producers to use fallen fruit (fruit that has dropped to the ground) to create and sell value-added products like cider, baked goods, or alcohol, provided the final product is pasteurized or treated to eliminate harmful bacteria. It also permits selling or distributing such fallen fruit to others for processing into these products, as long as the end product meets the safety requirement. The bill defines "value-added products" as those that undergo a physical change, are marketed locally, and increase producer revenue. Products made with fallen fruit that are sold without proper treatment can be seized and destroyed by the Department of Health.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Bring Veterans to New Jersey Program" within the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs. It provides relocation assistance of up to $5,000 per household to veterans who move to New Jersey for employment with participating employers, who must first agree to the program. Veterans must create a profile via a contracted nonprofit, accept a job, work for 12 months, and document eligible expenses (like moving costs) for employer reimbursement. Employers are reimbursed by the state up to $5,000, and veterans may have reimbursement waived if they leave due to hardship (e.g., family emergency), not fault.
Maddy summaryThis bill removes the requirement that a business must have its principal place of business in New Jersey to qualify as a "disabled veterans' business" under the state's set-aside program. It allows businesses independently owned and at least 51% controlled by disabled veterans, or those verified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as service-disabled veteran-owned, to compete for state contracts without needing a New Jersey location. The change aims to expand the pool of eligible businesses, helping state agencies meet their goal of awarding at least 3% of contracts to disabled veterans' businesses.
Maddy summaryS 3010 increases penalties for stalking and harassment offenses in New Jersey. It elevates a first offense of harassment from a petty disorderly persons offense to a fourth-degree crime and mandates a three-year prison term without parole for second or subsequent harassment offenses. For stalking, it requires a three-year prison term without parole for second or subsequent offenses, regardless of whether the victim is the same as the first offense. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of these offenses by increasing potential prison sentences for repeat incidents.