Asm. Erik Simonsen

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2253) increases the annual amount credited to New Jersey's Shore Protection Fund from $25 million to $50 million. The fund receives the state portion of realty transfer fees collected when property deeds are recorded (calculated at $1.25 per $500 of property value). The change applies immediately to all future State fiscal years following enactment. This directly affects the Shore Protection Fund's annual funding level, doubling its baseline allocation from realty transfer fees.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Ticket Consumer Choice Act requires ticket issuers (like venues, promoters, and teams) to offer consumers the option to purchase transferable tickets at the time of initial sale, allowing reselling or gifting without restrictions or requiring use of a specific platform. Exceptions permit non-transferable tickets for targeted promotions (e.g., group discounts for disability organizations) if clearly marked and not sold to the general public. The bill prohibits penalties or discrimination against ticket holders who resell tickets or use particular resale platforms and removes existing statutory caps on ticket resale prices. This law applies immediately to all ticket sales in New Jersey, affecting both consumers and event operators.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $450,000 from the Drug Enforcement and Demand Reduction Fund - funded by fines from convicted drug offenders - to the Hooked on Fishing-Not on Drugs Program. The program, established by law (P.L.2012, c.46), uses fishing activities to engage youth in drug prevention efforts. The funding covers implementation costs, and the bill encourages annual appropriations from the same fund or other sources to maintain the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey school districts to hire veterans without teaching certificates as coaches for school sports programs. It specifically permits districts to employ veterans who were honorably discharged after at least four years of military service. Currently, such coaching roles require a New Jersey teaching certificate or substitute credential. The bill removes this certification requirement for eligible veterans, directly affecting school districts and qualifying veterans seeking coaching positions.

Maddy summaryThis bill would restore approximately $331 million in municipal aid reductions that occurred during fiscal years 2009-2011 by gradually increasing distributions from the Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over five years. Starting in fiscal year 2017, municipalities would receive incremental increases (20% in 2017, 40% in 2018, 60% in 2019, 80% in 2020, and 100% starting in 2021) to fully restore aid levels from fiscal year 2012. The bill requires municipalities to subtract any additional aid received from their property tax levy when calculating their next year's tax amount. This directly affects all New Jersey municipalities that received aid from these funds, allowing them to lower property tax rates for residents while maintaining their overall aid levels.

Maddy summaryACR 85 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase New Jersey's annual veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $1,250, effective 2024. It directly affects honorably discharged veterans and their surviving spouses who reside in the state, allowing them to deduct the full $1,250 from property taxes (or cancel the tax if it's less than $1,250). The current $250 deduction has remained unchanged since 2003, and this amendment requires voter approval to take effect. If passed, it would be the first increase since 1999, when the deduction rose from $50 to $250.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts eligible veterans from New Jersey's state gross income tax. To qualify, a veteran must have been honorably discharged from U.S. Armed Forces, a reserve component, or the New Jersey National Guard (in federal active duty status) and have gross income of $50,000 or less annually. The exemption applies to all taxable income under New Jersey's Gross Income Tax Act, regardless of filing status. It directly affects low-income veterans meeting these specific military service and income criteria. The law would take effect for tax years starting January 1 after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to create and distribute special blue envelopes for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The envelopes must hold driver's licenses, registration, and insurance documents, feature a distinct color recognizable to police, clearly identify the holder's diagnosis, and include communication guidance for law enforcement. It applies directly to autistic drivers, their parents, guardians, or caregivers who apply for the envelopes. The MVC must design these envelopes in consultation with autism advocacy groups, the Human Services Commissioner, and State Police. The bill draws from a 2020 Connecticut law and takes effect 12 months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Attorney General to establish a formal agreement with the U.S. Attorney General under a federal immigration enforcement program (Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act). It would authorize specific, trained corrections officers in state and county facilities to investigate whether inmates are lawful U.S. residents *at the time of incarceration*. If an inmate's status is found to be unauthorized under federal law, officers would report this information to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The agreement would outline training, reporting protocols, federal funding for costs, and clarify that these officers act under federal authority for legal immunity purposes. This directly affects designated corrections officers and inmates in New Jersey's correctional system.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits under the Pension Adjustment Act (P.L.1958, c.143) for members of New Jersey's State-administered retirement systems. It directly affects retirees and beneficiaries of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund, Judicial Retirement System, Public Employees' Retirement System, Police and Firemen's Retirement System, and State Police Retirement System. The bill reverses a 2011 provision that had eliminated these automatic annual adjustments, ensuring benefits will adjust each year to help maintain purchasing power against inflation. By reinstating COLAs, the bill prevents gradual erosion of retirement benefits' value over time. This change provides concrete financial protection for retirees as the cost of living increases.