Asm. Greg McGuckin

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the standard for lawful firearm transporters who deviate from their course of travel from "reasonably necessary" to "reasonable." It specifically allows for common, brief, lawful detours like picking up passengers, obtaining supplies or medication, and using restrooms before reaching a permitted destination. The bill also explicitly permits firearm transportation during bona fide emergencies or declared disaster evacuations. This affects individuals lawfully transporting firearms under existing exemptions, such as gun owners traveling between home and business, hunters, and members of rifle/pistol clubs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey municipalities to either pave, repave, or improve roads in "qualified private communities" (like planned residential developments with roads meeting public standards or officially dedicated to public use) or reimburse those communities for the paving costs. It specifically adds road paving to the list of services municipalities must provide or reimburse for, similar to existing rules for snow removal and waste collection. Municipalities must cover these costs on the same terms as they would for public streets. The requirement applies only to roads meeting municipal standards for public dedication, excluding those that fail to meet specifications (except width).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Secretary of State to create a website where voters can report problems with mail-in ballots they receive, such as ballots sent to deceased or non-resident voters. The website would let voters provide their contact details and describe issues, with reports automatically sent to local election officials for follow-up. It also establishes a nine-member "Vote by Mail Study Commission" to investigate mail-in voting irregularities, including how to prevent duplicate ballots or mailings to inactive voters. The commission must hold public hearings across the state and submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A813 requires electric public utilities operating distribution substations (under 69 kilovolts) to submit detailed security plans to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) within 180 days. These plans must outline how the utility will strengthen substations to protect against criminal attacks. The BPU must review each plan within 180 days, determine feasibility, and order implementation within one year if approved. The bill directly affects all utilities owning such substations across the state, mandating concrete security planning without specifying exact protective measures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Auditor to analyze the costs and benefits of certain state-funded programs and initiatives. It applies to any program or tax credit initiative receiving $1 million or more annually in state funding, including those run by accounting agencies or economic development authorities. The auditor must assess direct/indirect costs, tangible/intangible benefits, compare feasible alternatives, and conduct sensitivity testing. The findings must be reported to the Governor, Legislature, and made publicly available online. This provides lawmakers with data to evaluate program effectiveness and make informed budget decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey police to immediately suspend a driver's license or nonresident driving privilege for specific drunk driving offenses: driving under the influence (DUI), refusal to take a breath test, or operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.01-0.08% for drivers under 21. Police must confiscate the license (unless issued by another state) and send it to the Motor Vehicle Commission, which then notifies the driver of their right to request a 10-day hearing to challenge the suspension. The hearing, conducted by an administrative law judge, determines if the initial stop and charges were valid before the suspension remains in effect pending court resolution. Any suspension period under this bill counts toward any longer penalty imposed by a court after conviction.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in New Jersey to cover oral anticancer medications on terms no less favorable than intravenous anticancer medications. It specifically prohibits patients from being charged additional upfront costs beyond standard copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance for oral anticancer medications. The policy applies to various health benefit plans including individual, group, employer-sponsored, and state health benefit programs. It directly affects cancer patients who previously faced significant out-of-pocket expenses before receiving reimbursement for oral cancer medications. The law prevents insurers from increasing patient cost sharing to comply with the coverage requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits foreign governments and non-U.S. persons from owning agricultural land in New Jersey after its effective date. Existing foreign owners must sell their land within five years to a U.S. entity (like a person or business), with a deed requiring the land to remain used for farming. Exceptions allow limited acquisition through debt collection or inheritance, but even these require a two-year sale deadline and agricultural use. The law aligns with similar restrictions in nine other states and includes treaty protections for foreign entities covered by U.S. agreements.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 38) condemns Hamas' October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel and reaffirms New Jersey's support for Israel and Jewish people. It directs that copies be transmitted to Israel's U.S. ambassador and New Jersey's congressional delegation. The resolution is symbolic, with no new laws or funding changes, and focuses solely on expressing legislative stance. It references the attacks' casualties and Hamas' designation as a terrorist group but does not alter policy or affect specific individuals or groups.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a rebuttable presumption that defendants charged with sexual assault (N.J.S. 2C:14-2) or criminal sexual contact (N.J.S. 2C:14-3) involving minor victims must be detained before trial, unless they provide evidence to the contrary. It directly affects defendants facing these specific child sexual abuse charges in New Jersey courts. The key mechanism requires defendants to prove, by a preponderance of evidence, that conditions (like bail or supervision) would reasonably assure their court appearance and community safety - otherwise, detention is automatic. The presumption applies only to these minor-victim cases, adding them to existing offenses (like murder or life-imprisonment crimes) where pretrial detention is presumed. This change modifies pretrial release procedures under New Jersey's Bail Reform Law (P.L.2014, c.31).