Asm. Erik Simonsen

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A2411 (Sponsored by Assemblyman Erik Simonsen) provides a refundable gross income tax credit of up to $500 for taxpayers who pay for "high-impact tutoring." This tutoring must be research-proven to significantly improve student learning, as defined in the bill. Taxpayers can claim the credit for the tax year they use the tutoring service, and any unused portion of the credit is paid as a cash refund if it reduces their tax liability to zero. The credit applies to individual taxpayers or one spouse in married couples filing separately.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey to distribute a portion of federal ESSER II funds (specifically the state reserve) exclusively to school districts that met specific in-person instruction thresholds during the 2020-2021 school year. It defines "in-person districts" as those offering in-person instruction on 75%+ of days (receiving 1.5x the per-pupil funding) and "hybrid districts" as those offering it on 25%-74% of days (receiving standard per-pupil funding). Districts not meeting either definition are excluded from this distribution. Superintendents must certify compliance under penalty of perjury to qualify.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state-funded grant program through New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development to support YouthBuild programs for economically disadvantaged youth. It directly affects young people aged 16-24 who have not completed high school, providing them with integrated education and job skills training (split evenly between classroom instruction and construction/vocational training). The program requires participating organizations to provide stipends, leadership development, counseling services, and job placement assistance, with participants earning industry-recognized credentials. The bill appropriates $4 million for fiscal year 2024, increasing annually to $6 million by fiscal year 2028, to fund these programs for eligible nonprofit organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the requirement that New Jersey National Guard veterans must have served in federal active duty to qualify for a $3,000 annual gross income tax deduction. Currently, National Guard members need to have been called to federal active duty (under federal authority) to claim this deduction, but the bill removes that condition. The change applies to all honorably discharged or released New Jersey National Guard veterans, making the deduction available regardless of whether they served under federal authority. This aligns the tax benefit for National Guard members with the recognition provided to veterans of other military branches.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 78) urges Congress to extend the five-year time limit for upgrading certain military honors, such as the Medal of Honor. It specifically references Sergeant First Class Alwyn Cashe, who died in 2005 after heroic actions in Iraq that saved six soldiers but were only posthumously recognized with a Silver Star (the third-highest combat honor). The resolution highlights that the current rule prevents upgrading awards after five years, even when the Department of Defense recommends an upgrade (as Secretary Esper did for Cashe), and requires Congressional action to waive this limit. The resolution directly affects military personnel whose valor was initially recognized with a lower honor but later deemed worthy of a higher award beyond the five-year window.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey courts to consider the results of a domestic violence assessment before dissolving restraining orders when a defendant has two or more such orders against them. The assessment, conducted by a qualified professional like a psychologist or social worker, evaluates the likelihood of future violence and is paid for by the defendant. Courts must weigh this assessment along with other factors, including whether the victim fears the defendant, the defendant's history of contempt violations, and whether the defendant has engaged in counseling. The bill defines the assessment process and requires the Administrative Office of the Courts to develop standards for who can conduct these assessments.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to create a program offering one-time grants of up to $10,000 to veterans who purchase business franchises in the state. It directly affects veterans who are approved by the EDA for participation and become franchisees operating within New Jersey. Key provisions include requiring veterans to apply for approval, prioritizing those applying within six months of the bill's effective date, and mandating annual reporting to verify the funds were used for franchise purchases within the state. The EDA will administer the program using a dedicated fund supported by state appropriations and eligible private donations.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a 2020 law that prohibited stores, restaurants, and food pantries from providing single-use plastic bags, paper bags, polystyrene foam containers, and plastic straws. It would allow these businesses to once again sell or provide these items without requiring customers to specifically request them. The repeal directly affects retail establishments, food service businesses, and food banks that currently face restrictions on these products. This change reverses specific environmental restrictions on single-use products implemented in 2020.

Maddy summaryACR 84 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds majority vote in both New Jersey legislative chambers to pass bills that create new taxes or increase existing taxes, fees, surcharges, or civil penalties. Currently, such bills only need a simple majority (more than 50%) to pass. This change would directly affect the legislative process for tax-related bills, requiring broader consensus before they can become law. The amendment, if approved by voters, would apply to all tax-related bills introduced after its adoption.

Maddy summaryACR 42 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing New Jersey municipalities to grant a partial property tax exemption for the primary residence of eligible 9/11 first responders. The exemption would cover the first 15% of a home's assessed value for police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians disabled due to WTC-related medical conditions from their 9/11 recovery work. To qualify, a first responder's disability must be certified by a federal WTC health program. Municipalities would implement this through local ordinances, but the state would not reimburse them for lost property tax revenue. This amendment requires the Legislature to pass enabling legislation before municipalities can offer the exemption.