Asm. Greg McGuckin

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new formula for distributing state school aid to New Jersey's public school districts. It calculates each district's aid by dividing the total projected state income tax revenue by the total projected student enrollment across all districts, then multiplying that per-pupil amount by the district's own projected enrollment. This method ensures state funding is distributed proportionally based on student population, directly affecting all public school districts in the state. The bill replaces previous funding mechanisms and takes effect immediately for the upcoming school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Pandemic Bill of Rights for the Welfare of Individuals," granting specific protections to all New Jersey residents during pandemics, disease outbreaks, or public health emergencies. It requires healthcare facilities to provide safeguards for nursing home residents and those with health conditions, ensure proper medical evaluation before discharge, guarantee adequate care and therapy, allow family visitation, and protect legal directives like "do not resuscitate" orders. The bill mandates that attorneys be designated as essential workers with open offices and ensures access to legal services during emergencies. The Commissioner of Health must publish these rights online and require all healthcare facilities to display them prominently.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a one-year pilot program to help New Jersey fire departments test new technology for fighting electric vehicle (EV) fires. County fire marshals or code enforcers can apply for $5,000 grants to purchase and test emerging firefighting tools, with up to $115,000 total funding drawn from the Universal Service Fund. Grantees must submit a report after one year detailing the technology used, its effectiveness, and whether additional equipment would be beneficial. The program is temporary and requires participating departments to evaluate new methods for suppressing high-voltage battery fires, addressing known challenges reported by fire safety experts.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A783) allows defendants in real estate lawsuits to seek final dismissal of a case if the plaintiff fails to actively pursue the claim after a "lis pendens" notice (a legal notice protecting property rights during a lawsuit) is removed. Specifically, if the lis pendens was discharged due to the plaintiff's inaction or failure to prove a likely win, the defendant can file for dismissal six months later. The court may then dismiss the case permanently ("with prejudice"), preventing the plaintiff from re-filing the same claim. This applies to all pending real estate lawsuits not yet resolved, aiming to protect property owners from stalled or meritless claims.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends New Jersey's survivor pension program to include the spouses, children, or parents of volunteer emergency service workers (like firefighters, first aid, or rescue squad members) who died from COVID-19 during the 2020 public health emergency. It deems such deaths as "in the line of duty" if the volunteer tested positive for COVID-19 during the declared emergency, died from the virus, and had duties requiring public interaction or supervision during that period. Eligible survivors can now apply for the existing $15,000 annual pension retroactively, starting from the year after the volunteer's death. The change applies specifically to volunteers whose roles involved public contact during the 2020 emergency.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the requirement for New Jersey state employers to mandate weekly COVID-19 testing for unvaccinated state employees. It directly affects all unvaccinated employees working for state agencies or institutions. Key provisions state that state employers can no longer enforce periodic testing or proof of negative tests for unvaccinated staff, though employees may still choose to test voluntarily. The bill also preserves the ability for employers to require testing for any symptomatic employee, regardless of vaccination status. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits one New Jersey state agency from imposing civil penalties (fines) on another state agency. It directly affects state agencies themselves by preventing internal enforcement actions between government departments or divisions. The key provision states that no state agency, division, board, bureau, or office may assess, impose, or enforce civil penalties against any other state agency. This is a procedural change to current law, eliminating the possibility of one agency fining another. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill suspends local and state fees for certificates of occupancy and related inspections for homes rented by individuals displaced by Hurricane Sandy (2012) and identified by FEMA. It applies to renters whose primary homes were destroyed by the hurricane, requiring municipalities and the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to halt fee collection for six months from the bill's enactment. Local governments may still charge these fees but must submit records to the State Treasurer for reimbursement from state funds. The suspension covers specific fees tied to housing safety certifications under existing state codes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all veterinary facilities in New Jersey - including hospitals, clinics, and mobile units - to register with the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and undergo mandatory annual inspections. These inspections must occur yearly and cannot be fulfilled by existing complaint-based checks. The law applies to any location where veterinary medicine is practiced, ensuring consistent oversight beyond current regulatory requirements. The bill takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for municipalities to submit their midpoint status reports on compliance with affordable housing obligations under New Jersey's Fair Housing Act. It directly affects municipalities required to report on their progress implementing housing elements and fair share plans. The key provision adds one year to the existing timeline for submitting these midpoint reports, allowing more time for municipalities to gather and submit required data. This change applies to reports due during the certification period for approved housing elements. The bill does not alter housing requirements or obligations, only the submission deadline for compliance reporting.