Asm. Erik Simonsen

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the New Jersey Transit (NJT) Office of Customer Advocate and a Rider Advocacy Commission to independently represent NJT riders. The Commission, with three appointed members (Governor, Senate President, Assembly Speaker), establishes the Office and appoints a Rider Advocate who reports directly to it. The Office must review and analyze NJT proposals for fare increases, service cuts, or expansions before implementation, then report findings to NJT's board, the Governor, and Legislature. It also conducts monthly public meetings with riders, accepts online/voicemail feedback, and provides customer input on NJT decisions. The Office operates with separate funding, independent of NJT's budget, and replaces a prior requirement for NJT to employ a customer advocate.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A2402 authorizes special license plates for active and honorably separated U.S. Coast Guard members, their spouses, parents, and business owners they control. Applicants pay a $50 one-time fee and $10 annual renewal fee, with proceeds funding a dedicated "Coast Guard License Plate Fund" that annually allocates money to the U.S. Coast Guard. The plates must display the Coast Guard seal and design approved by the Motor Vehicle Commission in consultation with the Coast Guard. Implementation requires 500 pre-paid applications and $25,000 in initial funding from the Coast Guard or private donors before plates can be issued.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows state, county, and municipal authorities to designate "special event zones" around large automotive events (defined as events with 25+ attendees or approved by local government) for traffic regulation. Within these zones, authorities may temporarily reduce speed limits for safety and prohibit "exhibition driving" (reckless maneuvers like excessive skidding, engine noise, or roof riding). Violations of traffic rules - including speeding, careless driving, or exhibition driving - within these zones carry increased fines up to $1,000, or up to 60 days in jail for reckless driving. The zones remain active during the event and for a reasonable period before/after, with required signage informing the public of reduced speeds and penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Cyber Security Reserve Corps, a volunteer program within New Jersey's Office of Information Technology, to develop cyber security expertise and assist during critical cyber incidents. Volunteers must have at least two years of information security experience, hold a security certification, pass technical tests and background checks, and commit to 10 days of annual training; they serve without pay but are reimbursed for necessary expenses. The Corps will be headquartered in Atlantic City with two full-time staff, and will coordinate with state agencies, counties, municipalities, and school systems through formal cooperation frameworks. The bill appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund to fund recruitment, training, equipment, and operations of the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires group homes for individuals with developmental disabilities to install electronic monitoring devices (EMDs) in common areas when all residents and their authorized representatives consent. It also permits residents to install EMDs in private rooms with the consent of roommates in double occupancy rooms. The bill specifies that EMDs must be unobstructed and recording at all times, with common area footage retained for 90 days. Group home licensees must develop internal policies for EMD use, and residents can access footage related to incidents of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. The bill aims to balance resident safety with privacy rights through voluntary, consensual use of EMDs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) and South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) to verify that their toll collection monitoring systems are functioning properly before sending violation notices or charging administrative fees. If systems are not working correctly, NJTA and SJTA must fix them before sending any notices or fees. The bill mandates that the authorities establish how often to test system functionality and confirm proper operation before processing toll violations. This applies directly to vehicle owners who may receive notices for alleged toll payment failures. The policy ensures toll violation notices are only sent when monitoring systems are reliable.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows members of New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) to purchase retirement credit for prior service as a class two special law enforcement officer with a public employer in the state. To qualify, the member must have worked in that role and then started a PFRS-covered position within 120 days of ending that service. Members can purchase up to 10 years of credit by paying the cost, calculated based on their salary and an actuarial factor, with current members having one year from the bill's effective date to apply. This change aligns the process for purchasing such credit with existing rules for federal or military service.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Works Act provides tax credits to businesses that fund pre-employment training programs with educational institutions or nonprofits. Businesses can receive a tax credit equal to 100% of the financial assistance they provide for approved programs that offer at least 12 weeks of paid training at minimum wage to low- and moderate-income individuals. These programs must include training in basic skills, communication, critical thinking, and job readiness. The bill appropriates $3 million from the General Fund to implement the program and requires a two-year evaluation of its effectiveness, excluding construction businesses from participation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4592) expands an existing exemption to include honorably discharged veterans. It allows veterans with a New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC)-issued honorably discharged veteran placard to park without paying municipal meter fees when they are either driving or riding as a passenger in the vehicle. The exemption applies only for parking under 24 hours at a single location, consistent with current rules for disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients. It directly affects veterans who hold the MVC-issued placard and their vehicles when parked in municipal meter zones.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a specific criminal offense for financial exploitation of the elderly in New Jersey. It defines "elderly" as anyone 60 or older with age-related health conditions or mental impairments that affect their ability to make decisions about their property. The offense applies when someone in a "position of trust" (like family members, caregivers, or people with fiduciary obligations) uses fraud, false promises, extortion, or intimidation to obtain property from an elderly person. The bill upgrades penalties for this type of theft, making amounts between $200-$500 a third-degree crime (up from a fourth-degree crime) and amounts under $200 a fourth-degree crime (up from a disorderly persons offense).