Sen. Jon Bramnick

Maddy summarySCR 73 proposes a constitutional amendment to give the New Jersey Legislature exclusive authority over determining the state's affordable housing needs, the methods for fulfilling those needs, and penalties for noncompliance. Currently, courts (under the Mount Laurel doctrine) have played a role in setting affordable housing obligations for municipalities. If approved by voters, this amendment would shift decision-making power from the judiciary to the Legislature, removing judicial oversight of affordable housing requirements. The proposal must be submitted to voters at the next general election following legislative approval.

Maddy summaryAJR 119 designates November 7 of each year as "Shwachman Diamond Syndrome Awareness Day" in New Jersey. This symbolic resolution directly affects residents of New Jersey living with Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome (SDS), a rare genetic disorder impacting bone marrow, pancreas, and skeletal development. The bill requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the day with awareness activities. It aims to increase public understanding of SDS, support affected individuals, and promote further research into the condition. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal recognition of the disorder.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates approximately $77.4 million from dedicated tax revenues and Green Acres funds to the Department of Environmental Protection to support local government projects. The funding is divided between acquiring land for conservation and developing existing parks, with specific amounts designated for planning incentives, standard projects, and areas with high population density. Local municipalities and counties that meet certain population criteria are eligible to receive grants or loans to help them purchase or improve recreational spaces. Any remaining funds after the listed projects are funded may be used for additional approved initiatives with further committee approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to lend up to $3.85 billion to local governments and public water utilities for environmental infrastructure projects in fiscal year 2027. The legislation allows the bank to use funds from various existing trust accounts to finance the construction of facilities related to drinking water and wastewater treatment. Additionally, the bill outlines how the bank can increase its available loan amounts by including interest earned, fees, and other financial adjustments.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates state funds to the Department of Environmental Protection to support environmental infrastructure projects during fiscal year 2027. The money will be used to provide zero-interest or principal forgiveness loans to help finance clean water and drinking water initiatives. Additionally, the legislation authorizes the department to transfer money between different state revolving funds to ensure there is enough capital for these projects. Ultimately, the act aims to expand funding availability for essential water systems without changing the underlying loan terms.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates November 7 of each year as Shwachman Diamond Syndrome Awareness Day in New Jersey. It aims to increase public understanding of this rare genetic disorder that affects bone marrow, the pancreas, and skeletal development. The resolution requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging citizens and officials to observe the day with relevant activities. This symbolic measure does not change laws or allocate funding but serves to highlight the condition and support ongoing research efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands protections for victims of human trafficking and other sexual crimes by removing the statute of limitations for prosecuting these offenses. It establishes specialized human trafficking response teams and increases training requirements for professionals who may encounter trafficking situations. The legislation also appropriates $1 million to the Commission on Human Trafficking to support these initiatives. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to allow victims to testify via closed-circuit television in court to reduce trauma during legal proceedings.

Maddy summaryS 188 requires juveniles accused of certain delinquency offenses to appear in court in the county where the alleged incident occurred, rather than their residence county. For serious offenses (equivalent to adult crimes of the 1st-3rd degree under New Jersey law), the juvenile must appear in the incident county. For less serious offenses (4th degree, disorderly persons, or petty disorderly persons), the default is the juvenile's residence county, unless the court finds "good cause" to keep it in the incident county. Juveniles or their lawyers must object to venue changes within five days of receiving the complaint, and either side may request a venue change through a motion to the Family Presiding Judge.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution declares that the Department of Environmental Protection's proposed 2026-2027 rules for crossbows are inconsistent with legislative intent. The bill specifically challenges new requirements regarding crossbow length, draw length, and maximum draw weight, arguing that these changes conflict with industry standards and lack supporting scientific research. If the resolution is transmitted to the Governor and the DEP Commissioner, the agency has 30 days to amend or withdraw the proposed rules, or the Legislature may vote to invalidate them entirely.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires every member of the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly to host at least two town hall meetings each year, with at least one taking place in their legislative district. The meetings must be open to the public, held in accessible locations, and provide a minimum of one hour for legislators to receive comments and answer questions from constituents. To ensure public awareness, organizers must publish an official notice of the date, time, and location at least seven days in advance, while joint meetings involving four or more legislators must last at least two hours.