Rep. Erik Simonsen

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a $100,000 spending limit on sales and use tax exemptions for businesses in New Jersey's Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) program. It directly affects qualified UEZ businesses that make capital improvements like building, repairing, or substantially upgrading their property. The key change eliminates the previous cap, allowing these businesses to claim full tax exemptions on all qualifying materials, supplies, and services used for eligible improvements - retroactive to January 1, 2022. This policy change applies to businesses with a valid UEZ certification (UZ-4) operating in designated zones.

Maddy summaryThis bill criminalizes squatting in vacant homes by creating three new offenses: "housebreaking" (forcibly entering without permission to live there), "unlawful occupancy" (living in a vacant home without permission), and "unlawful reentry" (returning after being evicted via court order). It presumes people know they lack permission unless they have a notarized rental agreement with the owner's contact details. The law directly affects individuals occupying vacant properties without legal authorization, making these acts fourth-degree crimes punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine. The bill aims to replace current eviction processes with criminal penalties for unauthorized occupancy.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Bill A 1464 creates a state database for storing digital copies of veterans' separation documents (like DD-214 forms), directly affecting veterans and their families seeking benefits. Veterans or family members can voluntarily submit documents digitally, with originals returned promptly - no fee for submission (only a small shipping fee for returns). The database is accessible only to public agencies (e.g., state departments) to verify eligibility for veteran benefits, strictly prohibits public access under open records laws, and imposes fines for misuse (up to $2,000 or 100 days in jail). The bill ensures privacy, streamlines benefit verification, and defines "veteran" broadly to include National Guard service.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Bill A 642 increases annual state payments to veterans with specific service-connected disabilities from $750 to $3,000 per year. It directly affects veterans who sustained total blindness, permanent paralysis (like paraplegia or hemiplegia), amputations, or mobility loss from multiple sclerosis during military service, as well as their surviving spouses. The payment increase takes effect January 1 following the bill's passage, with accrued payments paid in a lump sum. Currently, 207 veterans and spouses receive this benefit under the existing $750 rate.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey county clerks to remove registered voters from mail-in ballot lists under three specific conditions: if USPS returns their ballot mail, if they haven't used mail-in voting in two years, or if their address is undeliverable via USPS systems. Before removal, clerks must send written notice explaining the reason and providing steps to continue voting by mail, with a 30-day response window. Voters who don't respond within 30 days are removed and receive a notice with a reapplication form. The policy directly affects voters who miss mail-in ballots, go inactive for two years, or experience address changes, ensuring only active, valid voters receive mail-in ballots.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires emergency medical services (EMS) providers in New Jersey - who administer opioid antidotes or treat drug overdose victims - to share specific information about the patient with the Department of Law and Public Safety (DLPS). The information, determined by the Attorney General, will be used to connect overdose survivors with harm reduction strategies and recovery resources, aiming to reduce immediate health risks. EMS providers include ambulance services, mobile medical units, and first aid squads. The Attorney General, with health officials, must later create rules to implement this requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey counties to expand community mental health programs to include mental health services specifically for veterans and prohibits denying veterans these services based solely on their military status. It amends existing law to explicitly list "Services for veterans" as a required component of community mental health centers and mandates that state funding for mental health services must cover veterans in need. Counties must refer veterans to the VA for eligibility determination while ensuring they receive county services during the wait, and cannot deny services due to veteran status or VA wait times. The bill directly affects veterans seeking mental health care and county mental health programs receiving state funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a three-year pilot program offering tax credits to New Jersey commercial farms that donate edible fruits and vegetables to local charities. Farm operators can claim a 50% credit (up to $5,000 per donation period) against their corporation business tax or gross income tax for the wholesale value of donated produce. To qualify, farms must obtain written verification from charities detailing the donation’s variety, grade, quantity, and value, with the Secretary of Agriculture setting monthly wholesale value rates. The program caps total annual credits at $100,000 and requires donations to be documented through a standardized form. It directly affects commercial farms and qualifying charities, aiming to incentivize food donations while reducing tax liability.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners or operators of venues holding 1,000+ people (like stadiums, arenas, and concert halls) to maintain at least one automatic external defibrillator (AED) on-site. It mandates that AEDs be accessible at all times, properly stored and maintained, with clear signage and staff trained in CPR and AED use. Venues must also develop emergency response protocols and notify emergency services about AED locations. The law aims to improve survival rates for cardiac events - where immediate defibrillation can increase survival by up to 90% - by ensuring rapid access to life-saving equipment at large public gatherings.

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.