Rep. Antwan McClellan

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey police departments to donate unclaimed bicycles to tax-exempt nonprofit organizations instead of selling them at auction. To qualify, the bicycle must have been found by a police officer acting in the line of duty, with the owner unknown or refusing to claim it after six months. Municipalities must approve the donation through an annual resolution listing eligible nonprofits, which must be exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3). This changes current law requiring unclaimed bicycles to be sold at auction, redirecting them to community organizations that refurbish and distribute bikes to residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2658) prohibits New Jersey's state pension and annuity funds from investing in Chinese pharmaceutical companies or any company with business ties to them. It directly affects the state's pension funds managed by the Division of Investment, requiring them to divest existing holdings within three years. Key mechanisms include annual reporting to the legislature on divestment progress and requiring the State Investment Council to consult with an independent research firm to identify affected investments. The bill is pending before the New Jersey Assembly (introduced January 13, 2026) and does not yet take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how New Jersey allocates revenue from hotel and motel occupancy fees, directing 100% of the funds to arts, historical heritage, and tourism programs instead of the previous 40%. It specifies exact percentages: 56.7% for the State Council on the Arts (with a minimum $31.9 million annually after 2021), 9.6% for the Historical Commission ($5.5 million minimum), 31.9% for tourism advertising ($17.6 million minimum), and 1.8% for the Cultural Trust ($720,000 minimum). The bill directly affects hotels, motels, and online booking platforms (like Airbnb) that collect and remit this fee. It ensures these funds are legally required to be spent on designated cultural and tourism purposes, with minimum annual allocations.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A1435 creates a 21-member working group to coordinate the safe removal of abandoned vessels along the state's coastline, directly affecting coastal municipalities struggling with derelict boats - especially those impacted by Hurricane Sandy. The bill establishes a $25 million "Abandoned Vessels Fund" administered by the State Treasurer to reimburse municipalities for removal costs under a new program. Key provisions include annual reporting requirements for the working group, mandatory cooperation from state agencies, and strict rules to prevent fund diversion without legislative approval. This policy change provides concrete financial and structural support for communities to address environmental hazards and navigational risks posed by abandoned vessels.

Maddy summaryThis proposed New Jersey bill (A 3379) increases penalties for illegal street racing on public highways. For a first offense, fines rise to $100-$200 (up from $25-$100); for a second offense, fines increase to $200-$300 (up from $100-$200). For a third or subsequent offense, the bill requires impounding the vehicle for at least 96 hours, with owners reclaiming it by providing proof of registration/insurance and paying towing/storage fees. If unclaimed within 30 days, the vehicle may be sold at auction, with excess proceeds returned to the owner or managed under unclaimed property law. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Public Safety Committee.

Maddy summaryBill A 1465 revises New Jersey's Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) to expand which municipalities require Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) permits for certain large developments. It adds cities of the fourth class ranked in the top two percent of the state's 2020 Municipal Revitalization Index to the existing groups (qualifying municipalities and cities with over 30,000 residents) that must follow CAFRA's threshold rules. For these cities, DEP permits are now required for residential projects with 75+ units, commercial projects with 150+ parking spaces, or industrial/public developments located beyond 500 feet from the water's edge. This change extends existing permitting standards to new municipalities without altering the specific thresholds for development size.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $450,000 from the "Drug Enforcement and Demand Reduction Fund" (funded by fines from drug offenders) to support the Hooked on Fishing-Not on Drugs Program. The program, administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, uses free fishing events to engage youth in drug prevention activities. The bill requires the state to ensure annual funding from this fund or other sources to maintain the program's operations. It does not create new policy but secures dedicated funding for an existing youth outreach initiative.

Maddy summaryACR 11 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing New Jersey municipalities to offer a partial property tax exemption on the primary residence of eligible 9/11 first responders. It would specifically apply to police officers, firefighters, and EMTs disabled due to medical conditions certified as related to their work at the World Trade Center site after the 2001 terrorist attack. The exemption would cover the first 15% of a home's assessed value, with municipalities required to enact it via local ordinance after the Legislature passes implementing legislation. The state would not reimburse municipalities for lost tax revenue from this exemption. This amendment requires voter approval before any such local ordinances can be adopted.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey taxpayers a state income tax deduction equal to the capital gain realized from selling certain real property interests to qualified conservation organizations. It directly affects landowners who sell property (either at full market value or for less than full value in a "bargain sale") to groups preserving land through programs like Green Acres, farmland preservation, or wildlife conservation. The deduction covers the profit from the sale portion, with specific rules for allocating costs in bargain sales where part is treated as a charitable donation. The policy aligns with federal tax treatment for conservation donations and applies to sales benefiting conservation programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers oversight of on-farm dairy processing inspections from the Department of Health to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. It requires the Agriculture Department to collaborate with the Department of Health and local health boards when conducting these inspections. The bill also authorizes the Agriculture Secretary to create implementing rules under existing state law. This change directly affects dairy farmers and processors operating on-farm facilities in New Jersey by shifting their inspection responsibility to a new agency. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.