Asm. Erik Simonsen

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to pay just compensation to business owners who were forced to partially or fully close due to a public health emergency order (like during the pandemic). It applies to businesses that prove their income loss or permanent closure was directly caused by the emergency order, not by other factors. Business owners must file a claim within one year of the emergency order ending and prove both the cause of the loss and the compensation amount. The law covers emergencies starting January 1, 2020, and applies to closures ordered under the state's Emergency Health Powers Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) rules to allow temporary state employees at psychiatric hospitals or correctional facilities to qualify for accidental disability benefits. It specifically covers injuries sustained after January 2003 while working temporarily at these facilities (before becoming a PERS member), making such injuries eligible for PERS benefits once the employee gains membership. The key change deems these pre-membership injuries as occurring "during membership" if the employee joins PERS without interruption in the same job. This expands eligibility beyond current rules, which only provided workers' compensation for such injuries before PERS membership.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1448) amends New Jersey law to explicitly exempt active duty members of the U.S. military from firearm restrictions while on duty. It adds active duty military personnel to the existing list of individuals already permitted to carry firearms under specific conditions (N.J.S.2C:39-6(1)). The change clarifies that military members traveling between duty locations or on active duty can carry weapons as authorized by military regulations, without needing additional state permits. It does not create new rights but formally incorporates military personnel into current exemptions.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a bill), introduced by the New Jersey Assembly. It requests Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform focused on border security and removing undocumented immigrants, citing two Ocean County crimes involving undocumented individuals from Mexico. The resolution specifically asks Congress to expedite removals, increase penalties for smuggling and armed offenses, allow military use for border security, and penalize countries refusing to accept deported nationals. It has no legal force and is solely a statement urging federal action; it was introduced to the Assembly committee on January 13, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets a maximum lease size of 50 acres for any single shellfishery ground along New Jersey's Atlantic Coast (excluding Delaware River, Delaware Bay, and their tributaries). It directly affects shellfishery lessees and the Shellfisheries Council, which manages these leases. The bill amends existing law to require the Council to enforce this 50-acre limit for all new and existing leases on the Atlantic Coast. This is a concrete policy change to standardize lease sizes for shellfishery operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) to automatically stop collecting tolls on the Atlantic City Expressway east of the Garden State Parkway whenever U.S. Route 40 is closed east of that point. It directly affects drivers traveling between Atlantic City and Pleasantville who would otherwise face toll charges during Route 40 closures, which frequently occur due to flooding. The key mechanism is an automatic toll suspension triggered by Route 40 closures, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's funding for high-cost special education services, requiring the state to reimburse school districts 100% of costs exceeding thresholds instead of the previous partial rates. It directly affects school districts educating students with disabilities in public or private placements when costs surpass $40,000 (for public school settings) or $55,000 (for private school placements). The key mechanism updates the reimbursement calculation to cover the full amount of costs above these thresholds, replacing the prior 90% (public) and 75% (private) rates. Districts must apply for reimbursement by documenting expenses, with payments issued in the following school year.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires public colleges and universities to cover tuition and fees for residents who are Medal of Honor or Purple Heart recipients. It applies to undergraduate students enrolled full-time at good standing, provided they have applied for all available state and federal financial aid. Recipients may take up to 16 credits per semester tuition-free for a maximum of eight semesters (four years). The policy takes effect in the first full academic year after enactment, with eligibility verified by each institution's governing board.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school boards to verify the work authorization of teaching staff and school employees using the federal E-Verify program. It applies to all new hires starting the first full school year after enactment and mandates annual verification for all current staff. The law directs the state education commissioner to provide schools with guidance on E-Verify requirements and federal rules. It does not prevent schools from hiring noncitizen teachers holding valid limited certificates under existing state law. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 2334) exempts veterans who are permanently 100% disabled (as certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) from paying annual motor vehicle registration fees for one passenger vehicle. It directly affects honorably discharged veterans with this specific disability rating who own a vehicle in New Jersey. The bill requires the Adjutant General (in consultation with the Motor Vehicle Commission) to notify eligible veterans about this fee exemption. The exemption applies to one vehicle owned by the veteran and does not cover commercial vehicles or additional vehicles. The bill takes effect 13 months after enactment.