Asm. Antwan McClellan

Maddy summaryThis bill, "Murphy's Law," nullifies any emergency order, rule, or regulation issued by New Jersey's Governor to address a declared emergency if the Governor themselves violates that same rule. It creates an affirmative defense in court for anyone prosecuted for violating the Governor's emergency order - if the Governor committed the identical violation (e.g., breaking their own rule), the person cannot be convicted for that specific violation. The law applies to all enforcement of emergency rules under the existing emergency management statute (P.L.1942, c.251) and takes effect immediately, covering both past and future prosecutions. It directly affects individuals prosecuted for emergency rule violations, shifting legal accountability when the Governor breaches their own orders.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires construction permit applicants in New Jersey to disclose the anticipated funding sources and amounts for their projects. It applies to most construction projects but excludes single-family homes, routine renovations or repairs of dwelling units, and small-scale alterations (like individual units in buildings with fewer than three units). Applicants must provide this funding information when applying for a permit, and before receiving a certificate of occupancy, they must certify the accuracy of that information or submit updated details. The Commissioner of Community Affairs will develop specific rules within 180 days to implement these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to require the Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to create a comprehensive public webpage specifically for women veterans. The webpage must include information on medical and insurance issues, veterans' legal rights, benefits, education, and transition resources. It does not establish a new treatment program but mandates the dissemination of existing information about medical resources, including those related to veterans' health needs. This change aligns with the Adjutant General's existing duty to provide public information on veterans' programs and benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1666) amends New Jersey law to allow people with certain past criminal convictions to serve on juries, removing an automatic disqualification. It directly affects individuals convicted of most serious crimes (indictable offenses) in New Jersey, other states, or federal court, provided they do not have a conviction for murder or aggravated sexual assault. The key change eliminates the automatic bar for these past convictions, though current incarceration for any serious offense still disqualifies someone. The bill maintains existing exceptions for murder (N.J.S.2C:11-3) and aggravated sexual assault (N.J.S.2C:14-2), and does not apply to those currently serving prison sentences.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a grant program to connect New Jersey county college students with paid manufacturing internships through partnerships with local manufacturers. County colleges applying for grants must partner with approved manufacturers, prioritize internships in high-demand occupations, and use 85% of grant funds for student stipends while reserving 15% for program administration and career counseling. Students who complete these internships earn academic credit toward their associate's degree and may receive job offers from participating manufacturers. The program requires annual reporting on participation numbers, skills gained, job placements, and fund usage to track outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's unemployment compensation law to clarify eligibility for seasonal workers who are on unpaid vacation (not due to their own action) or attending state-approved job training programs. It ensures these workers remain eligible for benefits without being deemed "unavailable for work." Key provisions require training programs to be full-time, for high-demand occupations, and approved by the state, while also adding clarifications for jury duty and funerals. The changes directly affect seasonal employees and others in similar situations, focusing on concrete policy adjustments to maintain benefit access during specific life or work circumstances.

Maddy summaryACR 58 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring New Jersey’s Legislature to create laws allowing municipalities to tax property improvements (like buildings) at a lower rate than land. This would directly affect local governments, which currently apply a single tax rate to both land and improvements. The implementing laws must permit municipalities to phase in rate changes, set their own rate differences, and later return to a single tax rate. The Legislature could limit participation to municipalities needing infrastructure investment, but the amendment itself does not create the tax system - it only directs the Legislature to enable it. The proposal requires voter approval after legislative passage.

Maddy summaryAJR 16 designates March 16 as "Paws Healing Heroes Day" in New Jersey to recognize service dogs' role in assisting veterans with conditions like PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), military sexual trauma, and seizure disorders. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to promote public awareness, highlighting that service dog training costs $3,000-$5,000 (not covered by veterans' benefits) and relies on nonprofit organizations like Paws Healing Heroes. This ceremonial resolution does not create new funding or legal requirements but aims to honor the support service dogs provide to veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1183) amends New Jersey's gross income tax code to exclude certain retirement contributions from taxable income. It directly affects New Jersey residents who contribute to qualified pension plans, deferred compensation plans, or certain individual retirement savings accounts (like IRAs). The key provision allows these specific contributions to be excluded when calculating taxable income, reducing the tax burden for eligible individuals. The bill creates a new deduction for eligible retirement savings, aligning New Jersey tax treatment more closely with federal rules for these contributions. This is a procedural tax code change with no new programs or funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it a crime to intentionally tamper with cameras or monitoring devices installed on school buses. It specifically prohibits altering, destroying, concealing, removing, or disabling these devices - including the recording media they use. Violating this law would be a fourth-degree crime, punishable by up to 18 months in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. The bill directly affects anyone who interferes with these safety devices, which are used to monitor bus operations and passenger safety. The legislation is currently pending before the Assembly Judiciary Committee.