Sen. Brian Stack

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 2919 allows eligible voters who missed the standard 21-day registration deadline to register and vote on election day or during early voting. It permits voters to register in person at their assigned polling place on election day or at an early voting site in their county, provided they show ID or utility bill proof and complete a registration affirmation. The bill amends existing law to ensure provisional ballots cast under these conditions are counted if valid, without requiring prior registration. This change directly affects voters who register late but meets the in-person verification requirements at voting locations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 426) would require New Jersey to provide Medicare health care coverage to all state residents - regardless of age, health, or disability status - expanding the federal program beyond its current eligibility rules. It mandates the state to seek federal waivers from CMS to replace existing health programs (like Medicaid) with universal Medicare coverage, with costs adjusted based on existing Medicare/Medicaid payments. The bill also prohibits private insurers from offering duplicate coverage for services already provided through Medicare. This would apply to anyone domiciled in New Jersey for 30 days prior to applying, starting immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $10 million from existing school funding to build parking facilities at Colin Powell Elementary School in Union City, New Jersey, for staff and students. It also appropriates $3.25 million from the General Fund specifically for high-cost special education services in the Union City School District. Both provisions directly benefit Union City School District students and staff by funding infrastructure improvements and specialized educational support. The funds are directed through the Department of Education with required grant agreements for oversight. The bill makes no changes to existing education programs beyond these targeted allocations.

Maddy summaryThis bill upgrades penalties for cyber-harassment targeting public servants or their family members, making it a third-degree crime (up from fourth degree under current law). It establishes the Office of Cyber-Harassment Support within the Department of Law and Public Safety to provide victim assistance, develop educational programs, and coordinate with law enforcement and social media platforms. The office will create accessible reporting systems, offer counseling, promote cyber ethics in schools, and train law enforcement on investigating cyber-harassment cases. The bill appropriates state funds to implement these provisions, directly affecting public servants, their families, and victims of online harassment.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits residential landlords in New Jersey from charging application fees exceeding the actual cost of a credit check or related service, with a maximum cap of $30. Landlords violating this rule face a $250 penalty, enforceable by the state (via the Commissioner of Community Affairs or Attorney General) or by tenants suing in court for the same penalty plus attorney fees. Tenants can independently pursue claims for overcharges, while landlords cannot charge more than the verified service cost or $30, whichever is lower. The law takes effect four months after enactment.

Maddy summaryS 3529 criminalizes the use of signal jammers in New Jersey - devices that block cell phone calls, texts, GPS signals, Wi-Fi, or emergency communications. The bill amends state law to make interfering with FCC-licensed radio communications or U.S. government communications a fourth-degree crime, aligning with existing federal prohibitions. It directly affects individuals and businesses using these devices, such as those blocking cellular service in vehicles or workplaces. The law does not create new federal rules but enforces current federal restrictions at the state level.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3739) makes it a fourth-degree crime in New Jersey to use devices that block or interfere with wireless communications, such as cell phones, Wi-Fi, GPS, or emergency services. It directly affects anyone using "signal jammers" (also called signal blockers or cell phone jammers), which prevent calls, texts, or emergency location signals. The law updates existing state law to explicitly prohibit interfering with radio communications licensed under federal law, including blocking cellular frequencies or using modified scanning receivers. These devices are already illegal under federal law, but this bill strengthens state enforcement by adding specific language to criminalize their use. The key provision ensures that jamming technology cannot disrupt public safety communications or commercial services.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination to explicitly prohibit housing and employment discrimination based on "source of lawful income." It defines "source of lawful income" to include public assistance, housing vouchers (like Section 8), disability benefits, veterans' benefits, child support, alimony, and other lawful payment methods. The law now makes it illegal for landlords to refuse rental payments based on the source of income, and for employers to discriminate against applicants or employees based on how their income is earned. This directly affects tenants and job seekers who rely on non-traditional income sources, particularly those using public assistance programs or housing vouchers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies (including the Department of Community Affairs, Department of Human Services, and the Board of Public Utilities) to review and potentially increase income thresholds for residential customers to qualify for utility bill assistance and energy efficiency programs. It directly affects low- and moderate-income households by expanding eligibility if agencies determine an increase is appropriate. Key mechanisms include mandating public input during reviews, aligning income thresholds across programs, and ensuring households aren't eligible for both low- and moderate-income energy efficiency programs. The review must be completed within one year of the bill's effective date, with agencies considering factors like State median income and program costs. The bill does not change current program rules but sets a process for future eligibility adjustments.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits residential rental application fees to the actual cost of a credit check or related service, with a maximum cap of $30. Landlords cannot charge tenants more than this amount for application fees, even if the credit check costs more than $30. Violating this rule results in a $250 penalty per violation, enforceable by the state or through a tenant lawsuit seeking the penalty plus attorney fees. The law directly affects landlords and tenants in New Jersey rental housing by restricting excessive fees and providing enforcement mechanisms.