Sen. Mike Testa

Maddy summarySCR 13 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit most emergency orders, rules, or regulations issued by New Jersey's Governor to a 14-day period during a state of emergency. After 14 days, such measures would automatically expire unless the Legislature passes a concurrent resolution extending them. The amendment does not apply to orders rescinding prior emergency actions, federal compliance measures, executive branch rules, National Guard actions, or orders issued under existing laws with longer timeframes. This change would shift authority from the Governor to require legislative approval for extended emergency powers, while maintaining current flexibility for specific exceptions.

Maddy summaryS 1329 requires New Jersey school districts to provide parents with a voucher covering 75% of the district's per-pupil spending (prorated for remaining school days) if they withdraw their child from public school due to objections about curriculum content they deem harmful. It specifically includes objections related to material conflicting with parental beliefs about sex, sexuality, gender identity, religion, or morality. The voucher must cover tuition and fees for enrollment in a nonpublic school. This applies to all public school students in New Jersey whose parents make such objections.

Maddy summaryS 962 (New Jersey) bars the state health commissioner and other government entities from requiring students to receive a COVID-19 vaccine to attend public K-12 schools. The bill directly affects all students enrolled in New Jersey's public primary and secondary schools by removing a potential vaccination mandate for school attendance. Key provisions state that no state entity may make SARS-CoV-2 vaccination a condition of enrollment, effective immediately upon enactment. This policy change shifts school immunization requirements away from including the COVID-19 vaccine as a standard prerequisite.

Maddy summaryS 1366 requires unlicensed individuals sending text messages to solicit home sales to include three specific disclosures in a separate pre-solicitation message: that they are not licensed by the New Jersey Real Estate Commission, their employer's name, and that the message is a solicitation. This bill directly affects unlicensed real estate solicitors and home owners receiving such texts. Violations carry fines up to $5,000 for first offenses and $10,000 for repeat offenses, enforced by the Division of Consumer Affairs. The Division must also launch a public education campaign to inform both licensees and home owners about the law and how to verify real estate professional licensing.

Maddy summaryThis bill lowers the minimum manufacturing job requirement for businesses to qualify for New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) tax exemption programs. Specifically, it reduces the threshold from 125 to 50 full-time manufacturing employees needed under eligibility criteria for new facilities or relocations. The change directly affects manufacturing businesses and life sciences companies seeking NJEDA incentives, making it easier for them to qualify for tax exemptions on purchases related to new facilities or expansions. The bill amends Section 21 of the NJEDA program statute to reflect this reduced employee requirement.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (SCR 49) is a formal request to the U.S. Congress and President to allocate federal infrastructure funds for extending New Jersey's Route 55 to connect with the Garden State Parkway. It directly addresses ongoing traffic congestion and safety issues on Route 55, which currently ends at Route 47 in Cumberland County and serves as a primary route to the Jersey Shore. The resolution cites that Route 55's final extension - planned since the 1970s but halted due to costs and environmental challenges - has never been built, causing severe summer congestion that impacts tourists, residents, and the $44 billion coastal tourism economy. The resolution urges federal action to relieve traffic on Route 47 and support economic development in Cumberland and Cape May counties.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $4.32 billion from New Jersey's Debt Defeasance and Prevention Fund to all municipalities and counties for two key purposes: retiring existing local debt or funding capital projects (like infrastructure) without issuing new debt. It directs $3 billion to municipalities on an equal per capita basis (same amount per resident) and $1.32 billion to counties similarly. The funds, partially drawn from $1.97 billion in unallocated balances already in the fund, must be distributed within 30 days of enactment. The bill aims to provide immediate, efficient financial relief to local governments facing debt burdens.

Maddy summaryS 1667 requires New Jersey's Governor to include a detailed budget sustainability statement with the annual budget message. This statement must analyze whether projected spending for the next fiscal year can be sustained without raising taxes or reducing the State's undesignated fund balance, while tracking structural imbalances, one-time revenues, tax expiration impacts, and mandatory spending increases (like debt payments, contracts, and public assistance programs). The bill mandates that any projected spending increases must be offset by estimated future revenue or reduced appropriations. It applies to the Governor's 2025 budget message and aims to improve long-term fiscal planning by requiring two-year budget analysis.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 855) amends election law to clarify police presence near polling places. It specifically allows police officers to travel to, remain at, or work from a police station located within 100 feet of a polling place during election-related duties. The bill also permits Class Three special law enforcement officers (defined under existing law) to be assigned to polling places at public schools for security. These changes update prior restrictions that generally prohibited police from being within 100 feet of polling places, except for emergencies or specific election tasks. The bill directly affects election operations, police assignments, and polling place security protocols.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Secretary of State to create and update (every five years) a strategic marketing plan targeting manufacturing businesses in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem counties (southern New Jersey). The plan must outline specific strategies to attract new manufacturing businesses, retain existing ones, and expand operations in the region. Key mechanisms include coordinating with state agencies like the Economic Development Authority and Business Action Center to address workforce development, transportation infrastructure, and funding programs. The goal is to boost job growth, capital investment, and manufacturing services within southern New Jersey.