Sen. Brian Stack

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a $100,000 limit on sales tax exemptions for businesses in New Jersey's Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) program. It directly affects certified UEZ businesses (those with UZ-4 certification) by allowing them to claim full tax exemptions on all costs for property improvements, such as building repairs or renovations, without the previous $100,000 cap. The exemption applies retroactively to all qualifying property improvements made on or after January 1, 2022. This change simplifies access to tax savings for businesses seeking to upgrade their facilities within designated UEZ areas.

Maddy summaryS 450 would make it a fourth-degree crime in New Jersey to use signal jammers that block cell phone signals, GPS, or emergency communications. The bill expands existing state law to specifically prohibit interfering with radio communications licensed under federal law (such as cell networks) and using scanning receivers designed to intercept cellular transmissions. This aligns New Jersey's penalties with federal prohibitions (47 U.S.C. §§ 301 and 333), which already ban signal jamming. The law targets devices that disrupt authorized communications, including those used to block emergency services or prevent calls/texts.

Maddy summaryS 454 requires New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to consider whether proposed electricity rate increases are affordable for customers before approving them. This directly affects electric utilities seeking rate hikes and the households and businesses that pay their bills. The bill adds "affordability to ratepayers" as a mandatory factor the BPU must evaluate, alongside existing considerations like utility costs and return on investment. It applies to all future rate cases submitted after the bill takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 414) expands the requirement for landlords to provide written receipts for cash rent payments. It broadens the definition of "landlord" to include anyone renting dwelling units for at least one month (except hotels, motels, or transient properties), removing previous exceptions for small owner-occupied properties. Landlords must now provide receipts detailing the payment amount, purpose, date, and names of both parties for every cash rent payment. Violations carry escalating penalties ($100 for first offense, increasing for repeat violations), and tenants can use a landlord's failure to provide receipts as a defense in eviction cases for nonpayment.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 409 allows counties and municipalities to reduce water, sewer, and stormwater fees for low-income households. It requires local authorities to establish income-based eligibility (at or below federal poverty guidelines) and verify household composition, ownership, and income through documented applications. Authorities must ensure budget stability by setting aside sufficient revenue or obtaining approval to cover reduced fees without raising rates for others. The bill applies to both sewer and water systems, mandating clear advertising of the program in billing materials and setting annual application deadlines.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey counties with significant greenhead fly problems to use Rutgers-developed fly box traps to reduce populations. County commissioners can authorize their mosquito extermination commissions to implement these trap programs in affected areas. The bill appropriates $50,000 from the state General Fund as grants to cover the costs of these county-level fly control efforts. It directly affects coastal and affected counties where greenhead flies have become a pest nuisance, providing a specific, funded mechanism for local pest management.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1795) requires that only licensed architects or professional engineers (referred to as "registered design professionals") or employees of certified fire escape contractors may install, service, repair, inspect, or maintain fire escapes in New Jersey. It defines "fire escape contractor" as requiring certification from the state commissioner and specifies that only certified individuals or licensed professionals can legally perform these tasks. The bill directly affects fire escape contractors, building owners requiring fire escape work, and property managers responsible for maintenance. It aims to standardize qualifications for fire escape work to ensure safety through professional oversight.

Maddy summaryS 2599 requires companies, research facilities, and institutions using cats, dogs, or ferrets for product testing, research, or educational purposes in New Jersey to assess each animal for adoption suitability after testing ends and offer it to rescue organizations or private individuals if suitable. These entities must register with the state health department, report animal details (like type, number, and adoption status), and document efforts to place animals for adoption. Noncompliance results in civil penalties of up to $50,000 for repeated violations, with a third offense potentially leading to a court-ordered ban on animal testing. The bill establishes clear reporting procedures and enforcement mechanisms to ensure animals used in testing have adoption opportunities.

Maddy summaryS 460 prohibits New Jersey public employers from paying employees to waive health coverage (replacing prior provisions allowing payments up to 50% of savings). It requires that when both spouses work for public employers, the higher-earning spouse selects coverage through their employer, and the other spouse cannot receive benefits from their own employer's plan. This directly affects public employees who are married to other public employees, eliminating dual coverage options. The bill amends existing health coverage laws to standardize enrollment and prevent duplicate benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) in New Jersey's Office of Administrative Law to enroll in the Workers Compensation Judges Part of the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), removing them from an existing exclusion. Currently, ALJs are excluded from this retirement system under state law, but the bill amends Section 2(a)(2) of P.L. 2007, c.92 to include them. The change directly affects ALJs who serve in the Office of Administrative Law within the Department of State. It does not alter retirement benefits or create new provisions - only updates their mandatory enrollment status in the existing PERS framework.