Rep. Antwan McClellan

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey to issue special license plates for honorably discharged veterans. To qualify, applicants must provide proof of honorable discharge (like a DD-214 form) and pay a $50 application fee plus a $10 annual fee. The plates must display "Veteran" and the veteran's military branch insignia, designed with input from the Adjutant General. Fees collected fund a dedicated veterans' support account, with initial costs potentially offset by private donations up to $25,000. The program requires annual certification of costs and can be discontinued if fees don't cover expenses for two consecutive years.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3145) increases state aid to New Jersey municipalities from the Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over five years to reverse previous aid cuts. It directly affects all municipalities by requiring them to reduce their annual property tax levies by the amount of the additional state aid received. Key provisions update how the fund's distributions are calculated and require that new aid amounts be subtracted from each municipality's local tax levy. The bill modifies existing laws (P.L.1997, c.167 and P.L.2007, c.62) to implement this adjustment. It does not change the total annual fund amount but ensures municipalities cannot increase their tax burden while receiving more state aid.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to use funds from a settlement with 3M Company to address PFAS contamination. It creates a dedicated "PFAS Settlement Remediation Fund" to pay for water filtration systems, equipment, and remediation efforts. The fund specifically covers DEP-purchased equipment and reimburses local governments (counties, municipalities) for their eligible PFAS cleanup costs. All spending must follow clear reimbursement processes, with annual reports tracking how funds are used for drinking water filtration or broader PFAS remediation.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the appointment rules for New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU). It requires that any new appointee to the BPU, or at least one existing board member, must reside in Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth, or Ocean County. The requirement applies to all future appointments after the bill takes effect. This directly affects who can serve on the BPU and ensures geographic representation from these four coastal counties.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Secretary of State to develop a marketing plan within one year to attract, expand, and retain manufacturing businesses in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem counties (southern New Jersey). The plan must outline strategies for job growth, capital investment, and business services, and will be updated every five years. The Secretary can seek assistance from state agencies like the Economic Development Authority, Business Action Center, and workforce or transportation departments to gather data and coordinate efforts. This plan aims to support manufacturing businesses through coordinated state initiatives without changing existing laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school boards to give hiring preference to veterans for teaching positions when veterans are equally qualified as non-veteran candidates in all measurable criteria (such as experience, certifications, and qualifications). It directly affects veterans applying for teaching jobs in most school districts, ensuring they receive preference only if their qualifications match other candidates exactly. The law does not apply to approximately nine school districts that follow the Civil Service system (Title 11A), as those districts' existing rules supersede this bill for classified employees. The preference applies immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows county sheriffs to directly certify that law enforcement officers in their departments meet specific renewal criteria for their licenses. It affects officers employed by county sheriff's departments in New Jersey. The certification requires verifying the officer has good moral character (via background check), completed required training, has no disqualifying convictions (like domestic violence, DUIs, or hate crimes), is not affiliated with groups advocating violence or discrimination, and has no social media posts supporting bias. This changes the current process where chief law enforcement officers (not sheriffs) typically handled this certification.

Maddy summaryThis bill redirects fines from specific prostitution-related convictions to the "Human Trafficking Survivor's Assistance Fund." It applies to fines collected for offenses under subsection b. paragraphs (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), or (7) of N.J.S.2C:34-1, which include promoting prostitution of minors, compelling others into prostitution, or other serious violations. The funds will be deposited into the existing state fund established to support trafficking survivors, as specified in prior law. This policy change modifies where penalty money goes but does not alter the definition of prostitution or the penalties themselves. The bill affects individuals convicted of these specific prostitution-related offenses in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A 3144 directs the Attorney General to create a formal agreement with federal authorities, enabling specific corrections officers to check inmates' immigration status at the time of incarceration. Only officers who volunteer, are approved by their employers, and complete required training would be designated for this role. If an inmate is found to be in the U.S. without legal authorization, officers would report this to federal immigration authorities (ICE), but they cannot take enforcement action themselves. The agreement would also outline training, federal funding for costs, and clarify legal protections for officers acting under this program. The bill is pending in the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 15-member "Task Force on Supportive Technology for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities" in New Jersey. The task force will study how helpful devices and technology (like communication tools or mobility aids) can improve daily life for people with developmental disabilities, focusing on employment, education, and daily activities. It will identify barriers to using this technology and recommend state policy changes, reporting to the Governor and Legislature within 18 months. The task force includes government officials, disability advocates, healthcare experts, and individuals with lived experience. The bill expires 30 days after the task force submits its final report.