Asm. Greg McGuckin

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the duration of emergency orders, rules, or regulations issued by New Jersey's Governor under the Civil Defense Act to 14 days (expiring on the 15th day), unless the Legislature passes a concurrent resolution extending the period. It prohibits the Governor from issuing identical or similar orders for the same emergency after one expires. Exceptions include orders rescinding prior emergency actions, federal compliance requirements, internal government operations, military orders under the Governor's command, or orders under other laws allowing longer terms. The bill applies directly to the Governor's emergency authority and takes immediate effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the appointment rules for New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU). It requires that any new appointee to the BPU, or at least one existing board member, must reside in Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth, or Ocean County. The requirement applies to all future appointments after the bill takes effect. This directly affects who can serve on the BPU and ensures geographic representation from these four coastal counties.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to provide additional state aid to school districts that experienced State school aid reductions exceeding 3% of their prior year's funding during the 2020-2021 through 2024-2025 school years. It calculates the extra aid as the total amount of reductions above that 3% threshold, using specific funding categories like equalization aid, transportation support, special education funding, security grants, and adjustment aid. The Department of Education must fund this through an appropriation from the Property Tax Relief Fund. The policy directly compensates affected school districts for past aid cuts without requiring new legislative action for each district.

Maddy summaryThis symbolic resolution (AR 65) condemns Rutgers University for accepting eight of ten demands made by student protesters who established an encampment on campus in April 2024. The bill claims Rutgers' acceptance of demands - including divesting from companies supporting Israel, ending partnerships with Tel Aviv University, and requiring a "genocide" statement - created a hostile environment for Jewish students through "anti-Semitic rhetoric" and "glorification of violence." The resolution, which has no binding effect, directs the legislature to formally condemn the university and send copies to its leadership. It specifically cites Rutgers' decision to grant "full amnesty" for protesters as evidence of failing to protect Jewish students.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 718) permits police officers to be assigned to public schools used as polling places during elections. It allows school districts, election officials, or county clerks to request police for security at these school polling locations. The law requires that officers assigned for this purpose must not interfere with voters and must only be present during election hours. It also mandates detailed records of all such assignments, including reasons, duration, and outcomes, to be maintained as public records. The bill amends existing election law (R.S.19:6-16) to specifically allow this police presence at school polling sites.

Maddy summaryThis proposed New Jersey bill (A 3228) requires websites, social media platforms, and other online entities to verify the age of users attempting to access content deemed "harmful to minors" before allowing access. It mandates reasonable age verification methods (like digital ID checks) and prohibits minors from accessing such content unless it's determined suitable for them under state standards. The law specifically targets material meeting strict criteria, such as content depicting sexual acts or lacking artistic value for young people. Currently pending in the Assembly Science Committee, it would apply to all online services operating in New Jersey, not just social media.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey state funds from being used to provide legal assistance or services to immigrants facing detention or deportation based on their immigration status. It applies to all state contracts, grants, or funding agreements with public agencies or nonprofit organizations offering such legal help. The law takes immediate effect and blocks funding that would otherwise support legal representation for immigrants in immigration proceedings. It directly affects immigrants seeking legal aid in deportation cases and organizations that provide such services using state resources. The bill does not change immigration law but restricts state financial support for related legal services.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows courts to require individuals convicted of specific offenses to pay for rescue operation costs incurred by public entities. It applies when someone is found guilty of criminal mischief (e.g., damaging property) combined with reckless driving, careless driving, or unsafe vehicle operation. Courts can then charge the person for expenses related to rescues involving the person, their pet, or property, including law enforcement and emergency medical services. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-3022) requires all public meetings of New Jersey's State Board of Education to be accessible both in person and virtually. It mandates that the Board post a virtual meeting link on its website and allows the public to submit comments remotely during designated comment periods. The law applies directly to the State Board of Education and the public seeking to participate in meetings. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's school funding formula for the 2019-2020 through 2024-2025 school years. It requires that school districts with a "negative State aid differential" (underfunded relative to adequacy) receive aid equal to their prior year's amount plus any new funding increases. Overfunded districts (positive differential) face phased reductions in state aid, ranging from 13% to 100% over six years, but specific exemptions apply. Districts meeting criteria - such as being in high-tax municipalities while spending below adequacy, or participating in regionalization grants - will not face these reductions.