Asm. Erik Simonsen

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-1189) requires New Jersey to provide additional state school funding to reduce property tax burdens for residents. It directly affects school districts that experienced state aid reductions between 2018-2019 and 2022-2023, directing the state to pay them retroactive aid equal to their past funding losses. Key mechanisms include calculating base aid amounts based on historical funding formulas, mandating districts receiving increased state aid to lower property tax levies by the same amount, and requiring annual property tax reductions if state aid rises. The bill appropriates $2.9 billion to implement these changes, aiming to ensure school funding aligns with residents' ability to pay property taxes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1920) requires New Jersey media outlets participating in the Silver Alert System to broadcast alerts using the same protocol as Amber Alerts. Specifically, it mandates a distinctive sound tone and the phrase "This is a Missing Person Silver Alert" during broadcasts, with alerts repeated as frequently as possible for the first three hours. The alert must include a description of the missing person and contact information for law enforcement, updated as needed. Note: The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was superseded by P.L.2025, c.344.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 2784) requires courts to consider the results of a domestic violence assessment before dissolving protective orders in cases where a defendant has two or more such orders. It directly affects defendants seeking to end multiple domestic violence restraining orders and the courts handling those requests. The key mechanism mandates that defendants with two or more orders undergo a court-ordered domestic violence assessment (at their own cost), and the court must weigh the assessment findings alongside other factors like victim safety and the defendant’s history. The bill updates existing procedures to ensure courts have additional evidence about the defendant’s risk before ending protective measures.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A1469) allows state, county, and local governments to create "special event zones" around large gatherings (25+ attendees or approved events) to improve traffic safety. Within these zones, authorities can temporarily lower speed limits and ban "exhibition driving" (reckless maneuvers like tire screeching or driving on vehicle roofs). Drivers violating speed limits or exhibition driving rules in these zones face higher fines - up to $1,000 - and additional penalties for certain offenses. The zones remain active during the event and for a reasonable time before/after, with clear signage indicating restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a two-year Mental Health Awareness Pilot Program within New Jersey's Department of Education, directly affecting middle and high school students in participating school districts. School districts must apply with detailed data on student enrollment, absenteeism, academic performance, socioeconomic status, and current mental health staffing to be selected. The Commissioner will choose six districts - representing all regions and urban/suburban/rural settings - to implement innovative mental health awareness initiatives and teach students coping skills for stress management. After two years, the Commissioner must report to the Governor and Legislature on the program's implementation and whether it should continue or expand.

Maddy summaryACR 36 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase New Jersey's annual property tax deduction for veterans from $250 to $1,250, effective 2024. It directly affects honorably discharged veterans and their surviving spouses who reside in New Jersey, allowing them to deduct this larger amount from property taxes or have taxes canceled if the bill is below $1,250. The amendment would require voter approval at the next general election following its passage. This change updates a long-standing provision that previously capped the deduction at $250. The bill does not alter eligibility requirements for veterans or surviving spouses.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the tax on cigars in New Jersey to a maximum of $0.50 per cigar, replacing the previous percentage-based tax structure for this product. It directly affects cigar manufacturers, retailers, and consumers who purchase cigars within the state. The key change specifies that the tax on cigars cannot exceed $0.50 per unit, regardless of wholesale price, while maintaining existing tax rates for other tobacco products like e-liquids and snuff. The bill amends New Jersey's tobacco tax law (P.L.1990, c.39) to clarify this cap for cigars specifically.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-129) would expand an existing exemption to allow honorably discharged veterans to park for free in municipal metered spaces when their vehicle displays a veteran-specific placard issued by New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). Currently, only disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients receive this parking fee exemption. The bill specifies the exemption applies when the veteran is driving or a passenger, but not if the vehicle is parked more than 24 hours in one location. It directly affects honorably discharged veterans who use MVC-issued veteran placards in New Jersey municipalities with parking meters.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education to create a public career and education guide for undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities attending state colleges. The guide must detail campus resources (like disability career centers, internships, and accommodations such as note-takers or accessible housing), provide job-seeking guidance (including disclosure strategies, accommodation requests, and workers' rights), and list disability-focused support organizations. It will be developed with input from the Labor Commissioner and college leaders, then made freely available online. The bill directly supports students with disabilities in navigating both academic and career pathways.

Maddy summaryThis bill codifies New Jersey's "Bringing Veterans Home Initiative" into law, directly affecting unhoused or homeless veterans statewide. It requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to establish six regional housing hubs, create a standardized online referral form, use state data to target veteran homelessness needs, and connect veterans to existing housing benefits. The law mandates publishing the referral form online and classifying veterans for tailored assistance, building on a 2024 pilot program launched by the governor. The initiative aims to provide safe, stable housing for every homeless veteran in the state, with rules to be finalized by the agencies.