Sen. Doug Steinhardt

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 316 prohibits foreign governments and foreign persons (including non-U.S. citizens, foreign-owned corporations, and entities controlled by foreign entities) from acquiring or owning agricultural land in the state after the bill's effective date. Existing foreign owners must sell their land within five years, transferring ownership to a U.S. entity while requiring the land to remain in agricultural use. The bill allows limited exceptions for land acquired through debt collection, inheritance, or security interests, but mandates that such land also be sold within two years. It requires the Agriculture Secretary to annually report on foreign ownership trends, acreage, and land use to the Governor and Legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2767) modifies New Jersey's earned sick leave law to create a new compliance option for employers in the ready-mix concrete industry covered by collective bargaining agreements. It allows these employers to satisfy the sick leave requirement by providing existing fully paid time off (including personal/vacation/sick days) totaling at least 40 hours per benefit year, instead of tracking separate sick leave accruals. The paid time off must be usable for the same purposes as sick leave under the law and must be fully paid. This provision specifically applies to employees under collective bargaining agreements in the ready-mix concrete industry and does not affect employees already excluded from the law.

Maddy summaryS 335 prohibits New Jersey's State Board of Education from requiring teachers to use "student growth objectives" (assessments teachers design to measure student progress toward learning standards) in their evaluations. This bill directly affects all public school teachers in New Jersey, as these objectives currently account for 15-50% of a teacher's overall evaluation score. The key provision removes the State Board's authority to mandate this evaluation component, shifting how teacher performance is assessed. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis is a Senate resolution (SR 14) urging Congress to pass the "Safe and Open Streets Act" (pending as S.3492/H.R.6926). The resolution states the Act would make it a federal crime to intentionally block public roads or highways to obstruct commerce or delay movement of goods. It cites disruptions from protests - like those in New York City and Los Angeles - as justification, noting such blockages endanger people, disrupt emergency services, and divert law enforcement resources. The resolution itself does not create law but formally requests Congress enact the proposed federal criminal penalty.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 317, authorizes New Jersey counties to create mentoring programs where experienced farmers provide guidance to beginning farmers (defined as those with 10 years or less farming experience in the state or first-time farmers under federal rules). It also allows counties to resell farmland preserved through state programs to beginning farmers at prices below what the county originally paid, while maintaining agricultural deed restrictions. Proceeds from these sales would be returned to the Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund for future land conservation. The bill directly affects beginning farmers and county agricultural development boards by lowering barriers to accessing preserved farmland.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands reimbursement eligibility under New Jersey's Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Training Fund to include volunteer firefighters seeking EMT certification or recertification. Previously, only volunteer ambulance, first aid, and rescue squad members received reimbursement for training costs; this bill explicitly adds volunteer fire company members to the covered groups. The fund will reimburse certified training providers for EMT-A, EMT-D, and epinephrine auto-injector training, prioritizing EMT-A certification first. It also prohibits training organizations from charging fees to volunteer members of these groups.

Maddy summaryS 336 regulates the sale and planting of running bamboo (Phyllostachys species) in New Jersey. It requires sellers to be certified nurserymen and planters to be licensed landscape architects or registered home improvement contractors, with containment barriers or containers within 100 feet of property lines to prevent spread. Violations incur $100 fines (up to $250 for repeat offenses), and the Division of Consumer Affairs must maintain violation records that could trigger license reviews. Property sellers must disclose past bamboo presence, and owners must maintain containment or seek compensation if neighbors suffer damage from improper planting. The bill applies to new plantings only, exempting existing bamboo.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) to prioritize the financial interests of patients (covered persons) above those of health insurers. Specifically, PBMs must act as fiduciaries for patients' costs, ensuring they aren't charged more at the pharmacy than the cost-sharing amount or the cash price for the same medication without insurance. The law also prohibits PBMs from requiring patients to pay extra beyond these limits and mandates good-faith dealings with both patients and pharmacies. It applies to all health plans in New Jersey, including state programs and self-insured employer plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds $75,000 in supplemental funding to New Jersey's Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund. The money, drawn from the General Fund, will directly support victims of human trafficking by funding services, awareness programs, and educational training materials. Administered by the Attorney General's Office, the fund uses these resources to provide direct aid to survivors and support prevention efforts as established under prior law (P.L.2013, c.51). The appropriation is non-lapsing, meaning the funds remain available until fully used for these designated purposes.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 342) creates a fast-track court process for property owners to remove unauthorized occupants who lack legal rights to the property. It requires owners to certify in court filings that the occupant never had a lease, paid rent, or received written permission to stay. If verified, courts must schedule a hearing within 5 business days and issue a writ of possession, leading to swift removal by court officers. Property owners who win such cases can also claim triple damages for the unlawful occupancy, and forging documents to exploit this process is a criminal offense.