Sen. Brian Stack

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts how the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority can spend development fees collected from projects within its district. It mandates that at least 30% of these fees must be used for transportation improvements specifically within the same municipality where the development is located, requiring approval from the local government. The legislation explicitly prohibits using these funds for administrative costs related to transportation planning or for district-wide traffic systems that span multiple municipalities. Additionally, developers may receive fee credits or reductions if they implement plans that lower peak-hour car trips or promote public transit, walking, and bicycling.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires that a jury, instead of a judge, decide whether certain defendants qualify as persistent offenders eligible for extended prison sentences. The legislation specifically targets repeat offenders involved in persistent stolen motor vehicle crimes and organized retail theft, defining these individuals as those with at least two prior convictions for similar offenses committed within a ten-year window. By shifting this determination to a jury, the bill ensures that a group of peers evaluates the evidence regarding a defendant's criminal history before imposing stricter penalties. This change applies to cases where the current crime and prior convictions meet specific timing and severity criteria outlined in the statute.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (S 1090) creates a new criminal offense called "political violence" for committing specific crimes - such as assault, kidnapping, or homicide - intentionally to interfere with or retaliate against someone because of their political affiliation (e.g., party membership) or political expression (e.g., attending protests or donating to campaigns). It requires law enforcement to provide training on this offense and establishes an independent "Political Violence Review Board" to collect data on cases, analyze potential disparities in how cases are handled based on factors like race or political affiliation, and publish annual reports to the Governor and Legislature. The bill also mandates separate sentencing for political violence and the underlying crime, and prohibits defenses based on mistaken political affiliation. This directly affects individuals committing such acts, law enforcement agencies, and the judicial system in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners of multi-unit buildings with three or more floors (excluding cooperatives, condos, or certain common-interest properties) to give priority to senior citizens or disabled residents who want to move to a lower floor within the same building, maintaining the same bedroom count. Qualifying residents get first refusal over new applicants and other residents seeking lower-floor units. Owners must post a sign explaining this priority policy, and existing affordability or income restrictions remain in place. The law applies only to non-exempt buildings and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey municipalities and counties to lower speed limits by five miles per hour on specific roads without first conducting a mandatory engineering and traffic investigation. The authority to make these changes is limited to roads with existing limits of 35 mph or less located in school zones or designated high-pedestrian areas, which must include commercial downtowns, transit corridors, and zones near major transit facilities. To prevent overlapping studies and excessive reductions, the law prohibits lowering a limit more than once on the same road segment, setting a floor of 15 mph, and banning changes if a traffic study is currently underway or was completed within the last year. Local governments must establish clear criteria for identifying high-pedestrian areas and install appropriate signage to notify drivers of any new speed limits.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public high school students in New Jersey who observe Ramadan to opt out of required physical education classes and sports participation during the holy month. Students may substitute PE with an instructional course or study hall (earning equivalent graduation credits) by submitting written notice to their principal before scheduling. Student-athletes may also be excused from sports or cheerleading programs by notifying their coach, with coaches prohibited from penalizing such absences. The policy specifically accommodates Muslim students' religious obligation to fast during Ramadan, without exempting them from other required health education courses.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to change the date of New Jersey's primary elections from the Tuesday after the first Monday in June to the Tuesday after the second Monday in June. The legislation directly affects all political parties and voters in the state by altering the schedule for selecting delegates to national conventions and candidates for general elections. It achieves this change by amending specific sections of the state election code that currently set the primary election date. The new date would take effect starting with the primary election held in the year following the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires veterinarians and health officials to provide pet owners with clear written and verbal information about rabies testing procedures, including reasons for testing, handling protocols, and disposal methods. Under the new rules, owners must sign an acknowledgment form before a dead pet can be tested, unless the owner cannot be contacted or refuses to sign. The law also prohibits veterinarians from using vague language or euphemisms when explaining these processes and mandates that the Department of Health create educational materials for the public. Additionally, the bill establishes optional training for veterinarians to better inform pet owners about rabies vaccines and testing protocols.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Hope Card Program in New Jersey to provide victims of domestic violence with a free, wallet-sized card containing essential information about their restraining orders. The program will be administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts, which must issue these cards within 10 business days of a final restraining order and maintain them online and in printed form at all Superior Courts. Courts will update the central registry to allow protected individuals to access their records through the Hope Card, while law enforcement and other agencies must verify card information against the registry when investigating domestic violence cases. The bill also amends existing laws to clarify who can access domestic violence registry records and establishes penalties for unauthorized disclosure of this confidential information.

Maddy summaryS 1525 creates a new criminal offense for financial exploitation of elderly individuals in New Jersey. It directly affects seniors who may be targeted by caregivers, family members, or others in fiduciary roles (like trustees or financial advisors) who misuse their trust. The bill defines key terms to clarify what constitutes exploitation, such as unlawfully withholding or disposing of an elderly person’s property for personal gain. If passed, it would make specific financial abuse of seniors a punishable crime under New Jersey law, with penalties outlined in amended statutes. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.