Asm. Greg McGuckin

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's human trafficking law to include individuals who profit financially from trafficking schemes, even if they aren't organizers, supervisors, financiers, or managers. It directly affects people who receive money or other benefits from trafficking activities, such as business owners who exploit victims or third parties facilitating exploitation. The key change adds a new subsection defining human trafficking to cover "receiving anything of value" from trafficking, while maintaining a 20-year minimum prison term and requiring restitution to victims based on their labor value. This makes it a crime to profit from trafficking without needing to prove a formal leadership role in the scheme.

Maddy summaryBill A 2961 amends New Jersey's sentencing law (N.J.S. 2C:44-1) to add a new aggravating factor for sentencing. It requires judges to consider an additional factor when sentencing individuals convicted of domestic violence against a minor who is already defined as a domestic violence victim under existing law (specifically, minors meeting the criteria in P.L.1991, c. 261). This provision directly affects defendants convicted of domestic violence offenses involving such minors, making it a more serious sentencing consideration. The bill does not create new penalties but mandates that courts weigh this specific factor when determining appropriate sentences. The bill was introduced on January 13, 2026, and referred to the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a clear process for recovering overpaid Superstorm Sandy recovery funds from eligible homeowners. It requires the Department of Community Affairs to send detailed "Notice of Over-Disbursement" documents showing exactly which funds were overpaid, including a line-item breakdown. Homeowners then have 60 days to choose repayment options: pay in full immediately or set up a flexible 60-month payment plan with no minimum monthly payments. If they don't comply, unpaid debt transfers to the Division of Revenue. The bill directly affects Sandy-impacted homeowners who received duplicate federal aid under RREM or LMI programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey County Clerks to provide physical copies of mail-in ballot declination applications at every polling place on election day. It directly affects voters who wish to stop receiving mail-in ballots for future elections, allowing them to complete the form in person instead of by mail. The key provision mandates that these applications be made available at all polling locations during elections, streamlining the process for voters to update their ballot delivery preferences. The bill takes effect January 1 following its enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds a $6,000 gross income tax deduction for surviving spouses of veterans who meet specific criteria. It directly affects surviving spouses of veterans who died while on active duty, were honorably discharged, or were released under honorable circumstances from military service. To qualify, the spouse must have been married to the veteran at death, lived with them continuously (with limited exceptions), and not remarried or cohabited as a couple (with exceptions for void marriages, annulled marriages, or remarriage after age 57). The deduction applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's effective date and is added to New Jersey's existing tax code.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 117) allows eligible volunteer firefighters, first aid, and rescue squad members to claim a $5,000 deduction from their state income tax. To qualify, volunteers must serve the entire tax year and meet specific duty requirements: firefighters need 60% fire service attendance (or 400+ duty hours with ≤50% drills) plus Firefighter I certification, while rescue members need 10% rescue service attendance (or 400+ duty hours) plus EMT training. Departments must verify eligibility annually by submitting lists to state health or community affairs departments by March 31, and taxpayers must provide proof with their tax claim. The deduction applies to tax years starting after the bill’s enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2959) prohibits New Jersey state agencies and political subdivisions from entering into or renewing public service contracts with contractors who knowingly employ or contract with individuals without legal work authorization in the U.S. It directly affects contractors working on state or local government service contracts. Key provisions require contractors to verify all workers' eligibility using the federal E-Verify program and to certify subcontractors comply with the same rule. Contractors violating the law face contract termination, and a public list of violators is maintained by the Department of Labor. The law applies to all public contracts for services, not physical goods or projects.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (ACR 59) declares that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) proposed "NJPACT-REAL" rules - aimed at climate resilience and expanding flood zones - are inconsistent with legislative intent. It challenges the DEP's authority to unilaterally create these rules, arguing they exceed constitutional limits since the Legislature never authorized such sweeping changes through new laws. The resolution requires the DEP to amend or withdraw the rules within 30 days or face potential legislative action to invalidate them. This is a procedural step, not a law altering policies, focusing solely on the DEP's proposed rules' constitutional validity.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a public registry for individuals convicted of animal abuse offenses in New Jersey. It requires the Attorney General to maintain a centralized registry containing information about offenders, including those convicted under specific animal cruelty statutes (like R.S. 4:22-17 through 4:22-24) or found civilly liable for such acts. The registry aims to protect public safety and at-risk animals by making offender information accessible to the public and law enforcement, based on findings that animal abuse often correlates with broader violence. The bill explicitly states the registry is not punitive and is intended solely for safety awareness, not retaliation. It covers both criminal and civil offenses, including those involving animal fighting or cruelty.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a $250 annual state income tax credit to homeowners within 1,000 feet of Barnegat Bay who replace grass lawns with stone, crushed shells, or similar non-maintenance landscaping. It directly affects property owners in that zone, including those who already made the switch before the bill's effective date. The credit aims to reduce chemical runoff (like fertilizers and pesticides) from lawns into the bay by incentivizing low-maintenance alternatives. The policy change is a direct tax incentive, not a regulatory mandate, for eligible homeowners to adopt environmentally friendly landscaping.