Asm. Greg McGuckin

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts senior citizens, blind individuals, and disabled persons from specific realty transfer fees when buying or selling their owner-occupied one- or two-family homes. It eliminates the State portion of the basic fee and general purpose fee for qualifying sellers and removes a 1% fee for qualifying buyers purchasing homes over $1 million. The exemption does not apply if the property is jointly owned by someone who doesn't meet the eligibility criteria. All affected transactions must still comply with standard transfer requirements, and fees not collected due to this exemption are redirected to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public employees (including elected officials and local government workers) to automatically lose their positions upon conviction for certain crimes, such as dishonesty, third-degree offenses, or crimes directly related to their job. It also permanently bans convicted individuals from holding any future public office, position, or employment in New Jersey. The law mandates courts to issue immediate forfeiture orders and creates a state registry tracking all disqualifications. Key triggers include convictions under New Jersey law for crimes like fraud or third-degree offenses, or similar crimes committed elsewhere. The registry ensures transparency by documenting all disqualifications, though courts may waive penalties for minor offenses like disorderly conduct.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits pet shops in New Jersey from selling cats, dogs, or rabbits, directly affecting pet shops, breeders, brokers, and animal shelters/rescues. It requires pet shops to collaborate with shelters for adoption showcases (without payment), bans shelters from paying breeders for animals, and fines violators $1,000 per violation - with license revocation for three or more offenses. The law aims to disrupt the "puppy-mill-to-pet-store pipeline" by prioritizing adoption over commercial breeding sales. It does not affect pet shop sales of other animals or pet supplies.

Maddy summaryACR 68 is a New Jersey concurrent resolution urging Congress to pass the "Presidential Security Resources Reimbursement Act of 2024" (H.R.9332). It directly affects state and local governments, which currently bear the costs of providing security for presidential and vice-presidential candidates during campaign events. The resolution requests federal reimbursement for these expenses - such as personnel, equipment, and facilities - after highlighting the financial burden on jurisdictions like New Jersey following the July 2024 assassination attempt on a presidential candidate. This is a procedural resolution, not a bill, seeking to prompt federal action.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Long-Term Care Facility Infectious Disease Preparedness and Home Health Care Study Commission" in New Jersey. The commission, composed of 15 members including state officials and industry experts, will analyze how long-term care facilities (like nursing homes and assisted living centers) respond to infectious disease outbreaks and examine ways to encourage home health care services. It must submit a report within 12 months detailing findings on facility preparedness, staffing needs during outbreaks, home health aide retention, and methods to promote home care. The bill does not create new laws but directs a study to inform future policy.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill prohibits schools and school buses from requiring students to wear face masks in any indoor or outdoor school area. It directly affects all public and nonpublic elementary and secondary school students in the state. The bill removes mandatory mask requirements but allows students to wear masks voluntarily if they choose. It takes immediate effect upon enactment and applies to all school buildings and grounds, as well as school buses.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public schools to teach cursive handwriting to students in grades three through five. It mandates that school districts incorporate specific curriculum activities to help students read cursive text and write legibly in cursive by the end of fifth grade. The law takes effect immediately for the first full school year after enactment, applying to all public school districts in the state. It directly affects elementary school students and educators responsible for implementing the curriculum.

Maddy summaryThis bill reestablishes state education funding for school districts located in municipalities where over 51% of residents are age 65 or older, based on the latest federal census. It provides $500 per student in projected enrollment to qualifying districts, directly affecting school funding in areas like Manchester Township and Berkeley Township (where Berkeley is part of a regional school district). The aid is calculated using projected enrollment (not actual enrollment) and reduces the qualifying municipality’s share of regional school district taxes. This policy change revives a program repealed in 2008, targeting districts with significant senior populations to stabilize education funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1178) establishes a new formula for distributing New Jersey's state school aid to public school districts. It directly affects all 600+ public school districts by determining their funding based on projected income tax revenue and student enrollment. The formula calculates per-pupil state aid by dividing the total projected state income tax revenue by the statewide student enrollment, then multiplying that amount by each district's projected enrollment. This replaces previous funding methods and aims to fulfill constitutional requirements for equitable school funding. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all voters in New Jersey to show a photo ID at polling places before receiving a ballot. Acceptable IDs include a New Jersey driver's license, REAL ID card, DMV "identification only" card, or U.S. passport. Voters without valid photo ID or with mismatched ID may be challenged, but they can still establish eligibility through the existing process. The bill amends election law to add this requirement while clarifying that challenges do not deny voters the opportunity to prove their right to vote.