Maddy summaryS 1376 (New Jersey) prohibits banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions operating in the state from fining, penalizing, or confiscating funds from customers for expressing constitutionally protected speech or using their services to share such speech. The bill specifically bans financial institutions from including these restrictions in customer contracts or policies, and requires them to remove any existing clauses that violate this rule. Violations would result in civil penalties of up to $10,000 per incident (or $50,000 for willful violations), enforced by the Commissioner of Banking and Insurance. This bill directly affects all New Jersey consumers who use financial services and aims to protect free speech from being restricted through banking policies. (Note: The bill was introduced in January 2024 and is pending in the Senate Commerce Committee.)
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $5 million microloan program through New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to support businesses in designated Urban Enterprise Zones (UEZs) or UEZ-impacted districts (economically distressed areas affected by adjacent zones). Qualified businesses must create at least five full-time jobs (50% residents of the zone/district), operate in the zone, and lack sufficient capital for operations. Loans offer low interest (0% for veteran-owned businesses, up to 3% otherwise) with flexible terms, including potential partial forgiveness if the business fails after a good-faith effort. Funds will come from a $5 million state appropriation into a non-lapsing revolving loan fund, replenished by repayments.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 792) updates New Jersey's state income tax structure by automatically adjusting taxable income thresholds for inflation. It directly affects New Jersey residents filing state income tax returns, including individuals, estates, and trusts, by preventing "bracket creep" where inflation pushes taxpayers into higher tax brackets without real income growth. The key mechanism requires the state to annually revise the income levels defining each tax bracket using an inflation index, ensuring thresholds keep pace with rising costs. This change applies to all existing tax rate brackets shown in the bill's tables, maintaining the same tax rates while adjusting the income ranges that trigger them.
Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1340) creates a tax credit for licensed breweries to offset their alcoholic beverage tax liability. Breweries can claim credits equal to qualified capital expenses - such as equipment, machinery, or facility upgrades used for brewing beer and similar beverages - up to $200,000 per brewery annually. The total statewide credit limit is $5 million yearly, with unused credits carryable for up to three years. Breweries must apply for approval through the state director’s office to claim these credits.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 33) is a symbolic gesture recognizing the 75th anniversary of Israel's establishment on April 25, 2023. It commends Israel's achievements in building a democratic society and reaffirms New Jersey's longstanding partnership with Israel, including existing educational collaborations (like Rutgers-Tel Aviv University) and economic ties. The resolution has no binding effect or policy changes - it serves only to express support and acknowledge historical and current ties between New Jersey and Israel. It directly affects no individuals or policies, as it is purely commemorative.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "farm brewery license" in New Jersey for businesses that grow agricultural ingredients (like hops) on or near their brewery premises. It limits production to 2,000 barrels of malt beer annually, requires the brewery to be on land actively used for farming, and allows off-premise sales to consumers. The license fee ranges from $100 to $300 based on annual production volume. It directly affects small agricultural operations seeking to produce and sell beer, while excluding wineries (the bill specifically covers malt beverages only). The bill is currently in committee review with no votes recorded.
Maddy summaryS 889 creates a grant program to help Atlantic, Cape May, and Cumberland counties develop shelters for homeless veterans in southern New Jersey. The program awards state funds to these counties to identify suitable locations and provide property for state-operated shelters, based on applications submitted to the Adjutant General. It directly addresses geographic barriers that isolate homeless veterans from existing resources, particularly during extreme weather. The bill requires counties to propose shelter sites and land, with grants contingent on available funding and legislative appropriations. This policy change aims to expand access to shelter services in regions where homeless veterans face limited mobility to reach existing facilities.
Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's Megan's Law requirements to include individuals convicted of sex offenses in foreign countries, requiring them to register with local law enforcement. It also mandates that law enforcement officers inquire about the immigration status of sex offenders and cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The law affects non-U.S. citizens convicted of qualifying sex offenses abroad who reside in New Jersey, as well as all sex offenders already subject to registration under existing law. Key provisions include requiring registration within 10 days of residing in the state or 120 days of the law's effective date, and adding specific procedures for law enforcement to verify immigration status. The bill amends existing registration requirements under P.L.1994, c.133, and was introduced in the Senate on January 9, 2024.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a cap on annual reductions to New Jersey's state school aid for school districts. It sets a 15% maximum reduction cap for districts using the 2018 aid formula and a 5% cap for those using the 2007 formula, applying to school years 2019-2025. Districts in municipalities with tax rates above the state average that are underfunded (spending below adequacy) are exempt from reductions. The bill also includes specific exemptions for certain districts participating in regional school programs. This directly affects all public school districts receiving state aid under New Jersey's current funding formulas.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new "farm brewery and winery-brewery license" in New Jersey, expanding opportunities for small-scale producers. It allows limited brewery license holders to sell beer directly to consumers on-site (with tour requirements) and off-site (up to 15.5 gallons per person), host unlimited on-premises events without permits, and hold up to 18 off-site events annually with director approval. The license features tiered fees based on annual production capacity (e.g., $1,250 for ≤50,000 barrels, $7,500 for ≤300,000 barrels). It directly affects small breweries and wineries seeking to increase retail sales and event hosting while maintaining restrictions on food service (only coffee/soda allowed).