Sen. Paul Moriarty

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 3423) allows commercial bait fishing vessels in New Jersey state waters to use specific "wet" fish pumps (capsule or centrifugal design) to remove menhaden from purse seines, instead of requiring brailing or dip nets. It directly affects commercial menhaden fishing vessels operating under New Jersey's bait catch quotas. The bill specifies that pumps must have discharge hoses placed at or below the waterline to minimize aeration of surface waters. This change aims to improve crew safety, reduce net damage during removal, and allow vessels to exit fishing areas more quickly, potentially decreasing conflicts with recreational fishing.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey financial institutions (like banks and credit unions) to delay certain transactions for senior customers (60+ years old) or vulnerable customers (18+ with physical/mental conditions affecting financial decisions) when suspicious activity occurs. It mandates staff training to identify potential scams and allows institutions to share financial records with law enforcement or adult protective services. The law amends existing statutes (P.L.1998, c.121) to clarify when institutions may delay transactions or disclose records to prevent fraud. It directly affects financial institutions and protects vulnerable adults from financial exploitation.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey sports wagering licensees (like betting companies) from offering promotions such as bonuses, free bets, or incentives to customers who are using responsible gaming tools. It specifically blocks these offers to people enrolled in self-exclusion programs, time limits, deposit restrictions, or other responsible gaming services provided by the licensee or state. Violations would result in fines of at least $500 per offense. The law aims to prevent gambling operators from undermining responsible gaming efforts by targeting users who are trying to control their betting habits.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 3422, the "Expediency and Accessibility in State Environmental Permitting Act," appropriates $3,750,000 to create an online portal called the EASE Permitting Portal. The bill requires the Department of Environmental Protection to integrate this portal with its existing NJEMS database, aiming to streamline permit processing for businesses and developers seeking environmental approvals. It directly affects regulated entities (like commercial, industrial, and public projects) by making permit tracking and submission more transparent and efficient. The key change is replacing manual processes with a digital system to reduce delays while maintaining environmental regulatory standards.

Maddy summaryS 3461 prohibits online casinos and sports wagering operators from accepting credit card payments for games. It requires these businesses to establish specific account registration and verification procedures for users. The law directly affects online gambling platforms and their customers by banning credit card transactions in online casino and sports wagering services, with no alternative payment methods specified in the bill text.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1790) provides funding and training to New Jersey county prosecutors to investigate and prosecute wage theft cases. It requires each county prosecutor to assign a dedicated assistant prosecutor to handle violations of state wage laws and a specific statute (P.L.1999, c.90, C.2C:40A-2), directly affecting workers owed wages and county prosecutors' offices. The key mechanism involves appropriating up to $2 million from the General Fund to the Department of Labor for this purpose, including funding for staff training and case investigations. The bill aims to strengthen enforcement of wage laws by providing concrete resources to local prosecutors.

Maddy summaryS 1379 (New Jersey) creates a presumption that illnesses or injuries suffered by public safety workers (firefighters, police, EMTs) who responded to the September 11, 2001 attacks are compensable under workers' compensation law, regardless of when a claim is filed. It requires workers to participate in the federal World Trade Center Health Program to qualify for benefits. The bill also specifies that benefits paid through federal programs (like the WTC Health Program) will be credited against future state benefits, preventing double payment. This directly affects New Jersey public safety workers exposed to 9/11 hazards who later developed related illnesses or injuries.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts stipends paid to volunteer first responders (such as firefighters or EMTs who serve without regular pay) from state payroll and income taxes. It specifically excludes these stipends from gross income calculations under New Jersey's tax laws. Volunteer first responders may still receive nominal fees, expense reimbursements, or reasonable benefits without losing their tax-exempt status. The bill clarifies that this exemption applies to payments made for emergency services, as long as volunteers receive no regular remuneration for their service.

Maddy summaryS 2108 (New Jersey) increases protections for homeowners and bank account holders facing debt collection. It establishes a homestead exemption for primary residences (including condos and manufactured homes) up to the county median home price (capped at $600,000 for seniors/disabled residents) or $300,000 - whichever is higher - with automatic annual inflation adjustments. The bill also creates a new $300,000 exemption for bank accounts and allows cash proceeds from selling a homestead to remain protected for 18 months. These exemptions apply automatically without requiring paperwork and cover essential household goods, but exclude cases involving fraud or intentional misconduct. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents with debt who own a primary residence or maintain qualifying bank accounts.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 724, limits annual electricity rate increases for low- and middle-income residential households in New Jersey. It prohibits electric utilities from raising rates for these households by more than the annual inflation rate (based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index). Eligible households are defined as those with annual incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (low-income) or 400% (middle-income). Utilities must report program participation and financial impact to the Board of Public Utilities annually, and non-compliance results in fines determined by the Board. The bill applies to all residential electricity customers meeting the income thresholds, not to commercial or other utility customers.