Asm. Greg McGuckin

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey local governments from authorizing noncitizens to vote in local elections, declaring any such ordinance, resolution, or rule null and void. It requires elected local officials to uphold their oath of office by not approving measures permitting noncitizen voting, as this violates their duty to "faithfully, impartially and justly perform all duties of office." The bill amends the Local Government Ethics Law to explicitly treat such violations as breaches of ethical conduct, subject to potential penalties. It directly affects all local governments (cities, towns, counties) and their elected officers, ensuring only U.S. citizens may vote in local elections under New Jersey law.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A827, "Anthony Maruca's Law," requires all state law enforcement officers to carry and be trained in using epinephrine auto-injectors for emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions. The bill mandates that officers complete approved training to administer epinephrine and provides their departments with a one-dose supply per officer, to be kept in patrol vehicles or medical kits. It directly affects all permanent full-time law enforcement officers and their employing agencies across New Jersey. The law aims to ensure officers can provide immediate life-saving aid during anaphylactic emergencies, as highlighted by a case where officers were unable to assist due to lacking epinephrine.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A777) ensures religious services can continue during New Jersey Governor-declared state or public health emergencies. It directly affects religious institutions and congregants by preventing restrictions on gathering for worship, travel to places of worship, or penalties for practicing faith during emergencies. The key provision prohibits emergency declarations from infringing these rights, while still requiring religious groups to follow universal health/safety rules applicable to all essential businesses. The bill takes immediate effect and focuses solely on preserving religious assembly rights without altering general emergency authority.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A770) requires all registered New Jersey voters to show a photo ID at polling places when casting a ballot. Acceptable IDs include a valid New Jersey driver’s license, REAL ID, DMV "identification only" card, or U.S. passport. Voters without proper ID may be challenged but can still prove eligibility through signature verification or other means outlined in the bill. The law would take immediate effect and does not deny voting access if a voter provides acceptable identification or meets verification requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) to allow any member who participated in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations to qualify for accidental disability retirement benefits if they develop a disability linked to that work. It presumes that health conditions from 9/11 exposure (like respiratory illnesses or PTSD) resulted from their duties if they worked at least eight hours at the site, or if they had a documented injury preventing further participation. Members who later retire on ordinary disability or service retirement can also seek recalculated benefits if they develop qualifying 9/11-related disabilities. The policy change applies to all PERS members, regardless of when they joined the system, removing previous restrictions that limited eligibility to specific roles like emergency medical technicians.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A772) requires that at least one member of New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) must reside in Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth, or Ocean County. It amends the state law governing BPU appointments by adding this residency requirement for all new appointees. The change applies to all future appointments to the BPU, ensuring representation from these four coastal counties. This is a procedural change affecting BPU membership rules, not the board's policy responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey state funds from being used to provide legal assistance or services to immigrants facing immigration detention or deportation. It bans direct state funding, contracts, or grants to public agencies or nonprofits offering such legal help, targeting support for individuals based on immigration status. The bill references past budget language that allocated up to $2.1 million for legal services to immigrants in detention/deportation cases. It takes immediate effect and applies to all state funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A410) requires New Jersey public school districts to provide vouchers to parents who withdraw their child from public school due to objections about curriculum materials or activities they deem "harmful." The voucher covers 75% of the nonpublic school's tuition and fees, calculated based on the district's per-pupil spending and prorated for remaining school days. It specifically defines "harmful" objections to include conflicts with parental beliefs about sex, sexuality, gender identity, religion, or morality. The bill applies to parents of students enrolled in public schools who choose to enroll in nonpublic schools for these reasons.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 57) urges New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection and the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to impose an immediate moratorium on sonar testing and wind turbine mapping activities off the New Jersey coast. It is prompted by the unexplained deaths of at least 12 whales (including 8 humpbacks) and 5 dolphins recorded near offshore wind development areas since December 2022. The resolution calls for pausing these activities to allow for scientific study of potential links between sonar/mapping technologies and the marine life deaths. As a resolution, it does not create law but formally requests federal and state agencies to halt related operations pending investigation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2517) prohibits New Jersey state agencies and local governments from entering into or renewing public service contracts with contractors who knowingly employ or contract with unauthorized workers. It requires all such contractors to verify employee work authorization using the federal E-Verify program and certify that subcontractors also comply. Contractors must report violations to the state agency within three days and may terminate non-compliant subcontractors after a notice period, unless the subcontractor provides proof of compliance. Contractors found violating these rules are listed publicly by the Department of Labor for two years, unless cleared by court. The law applies specifically to contracts for labor or services, not goods or products.