Rep. Antwan McClellan

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) rules to allow temporary state employees at psychiatric hospitals or correctional facilities to qualify for accidental disability benefits. It specifically covers injuries sustained after January 2003 while working temporarily at these facilities (before becoming a PERS member), making such injuries eligible for PERS benefits once the employee gains membership. The key change deems these pre-membership injuries as occurring "during membership" if the employee joins PERS without interruption in the same job. This expands eligibility beyond current rules, which only provided workers' compensation for such injuries before PERS membership.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a bill), introduced by the New Jersey Assembly. It requests Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform focused on border security and removing undocumented immigrants, citing two Ocean County crimes involving undocumented individuals from Mexico. The resolution specifically asks Congress to expedite removals, increase penalties for smuggling and armed offenses, allow military use for border security, and penalize countries refusing to accept deported nationals. It has no legal force and is solely a statement urging federal action; it was introduced to the Assembly committee on January 13, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) to automatically stop collecting tolls on the Atlantic City Expressway east of the Garden State Parkway whenever U.S. Route 40 is closed east of that point. It directly affects drivers traveling between Atlantic City and Pleasantville who would otherwise face toll charges during Route 40 closures, which frequently occur due to flooding. The key mechanism is an automatic toll suspension triggered by Route 40 closures, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's funding for high-cost special education services, requiring the state to reimburse school districts 100% of costs exceeding thresholds instead of the previous partial rates. It directly affects school districts educating students with disabilities in public or private placements when costs surpass $40,000 (for public school settings) or $55,000 (for private school placements). The key mechanism updates the reimbursement calculation to cover the full amount of costs above these thresholds, replacing the prior 90% (public) and 75% (private) rates. Districts must apply for reimbursement by documenting expenses, with payments issued in the following school year.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires public colleges and universities to cover tuition and fees for residents who are Medal of Honor or Purple Heart recipients. It applies to undergraduate students enrolled full-time at good standing, provided they have applied for all available state and federal financial aid. Recipients may take up to 16 credits per semester tuition-free for a maximum of eight semesters (four years). The policy takes effect in the first full academic year after enactment, with eligibility verified by each institution's governing board.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 2334) exempts veterans who are permanently 100% disabled (as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) from paying annual motor vehicle registration fees for one passenger vehicle. It directly affects honorably discharged veterans with this specific disability rating who own a vehicle in New Jersey. The bill requires the Adjutant General (in consultation with the Motor Vehicle Commission) to notify eligible veterans about this fee exemption. The exemption applies to one vehicle owned by the veteran and does not cover commercial vehicles or additional vehicles. The bill takes effect 13 months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for identity theft when the victim is a senior citizen (62+) or veteran. It elevates the offense level: a first offense against these vulnerable groups becomes a third-degree crime (previously fourth-degree), and repeat offenses become second-degree crimes (previously third-degree). The bill also raises penalties for cases involving multiple victims when at least one victim is a senior or veteran. These changes apply to all identity theft offenses under New Jersey law that cause financial harm or fraud.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a 2% annual limit on property tax increases for certain county offices. It specifically affects county clerks, surrogates, prosecutors, and sheriffs (referred to as "county constitutional officers" in the bill), allowing their budget requests for property tax portions to exceed the previous year's amount without the 2% cap. Currently, these offices must keep property tax increases for their budgets below 2% annually, but this bill eliminates that restriction. The change applies immediately to the next county budget cycle following enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 575) raises the threshold for a 1% fee on commercial real property transfers from $1 million to $2 million. It directly affects purchasers of commercial properties (Class 4A) or controlling interests in entities holding commercial real property valued above $2 million. The key change is increasing the trigger amount for the fee, which is now calculated as 1% of the transfer value exceeding $2 million. The fee must be paid by the purchaser and collected by county recording officers at the time of deed recording. This adjustment applies to transfers recorded after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1438) changes New Jersey fishing rules for menhaden, a type of fish used for bait and human food. It allows commercial fishing vessels to use wet fish pumps (specifically capsule or centrifugal design) to remove menhaden from purse seines, provided the pump discharge hose is placed at or below the waterline to minimize excess aeration. This replaces the previous rule that banned fish pumps on licensed vessels unless fully covered and secured. The change directly affects licensed menhaden fishing vessels operating in New Jersey waters.