Asm. Paul Kanitra

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 733) increases daily compensation for election workers from $300 to $400 per election (primary, general, or special) and raises additional pay for workers handling signature copy registers. Election workers managing these registers will now receive $20 per election (or $10 each if shared), up from $12.50 or $6.25. The state will also increase its reimbursement to counties from $225 to $325 per worker, while counties cover the remaining $75. The bill directly affects election workers serving on district boards during all statewide and local elections in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill would amend New Jersey's Open Public Records Act to exempt State Police detectives' personal information from public disclosure. It would prevent the release of details like home addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses for these detectives, making such information confidential. The exemption applies specifically to State Police detectives, not other law enforcement officers or public employees. This change aims to protect detectives from potential harassment or threats by keeping their personal information private.

Maddy summaryACR 81 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds majority vote (27 in the Senate, 54 in the Assembly) to advance or pass bills during New Jersey's "lame duck" legislative session. This session occurs between the November general election for Assembly members and the start of the new Legislature in January. The amendment applies to all bills/joint resolutions needing third reading during this period, as well as to reenacting bills conditionally vetoed by the Governor. Currently, only a simple majority (21 Senate, 41 Assembly) is needed for these actions, but this change would significantly raise the threshold for legislation passed in this specific window. The proposal must be approved by voters in the next general election.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey voters who use mail-in ballots to include a copy of their state-accepted photo ID (matching their name and current address) with their ballot envelope. It directly affects all voters choosing mail-in voting in New Jersey elections, including first-time mail-in voters who did not provide ID when registering. Failure to enclose the ID copy will result in ballot rejection, though voters may correct the issue through a specified curing process. The bill also ensures that ID details, phone numbers, and email addresses provided with ballots remain confidential and not publicly disclosed. The measure is currently pending before the legislature, having been introduced on January 13, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1901) removes specific date and location requirements for veterans to qualify for New Jersey civil service and pension benefits. It eliminates past restrictions that limited eligibility to veterans who served during exact timeframes (e.g., "between July 14, 1914 and November 11, 1918") or in specific locations (e.g., "in Lebanon" for certain missions). The key change amends the definition of "veteran" in state law to broaden eligibility, allowing veterans who served honorably in designated conflicts to qualify without proving they met these prior time or place conditions. This directly affects veterans whose service history no longer aligns with the old, narrow criteria but otherwise meets the general eligibility standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey drivers convicted of a first-time DWI offense with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% to 0.10% to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle before regaining driving privileges, *if their sentence is stayed pending appeal*. It directly affects individuals who avoid immediate license suspension by appealing their DWI conviction but must still comply with the interlock requirement during the appeal process. The key mechanism mandates court-ordered installation of the device as a condition for restoring driving rights, replacing the previous automatic license forfeiture period. This change applies specifically to first offenses with BAC in the 0.08-0.10% range and does not alter penalties for higher BAC levels or repeat offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to create a program that pays for relocating undocumented immigrants (those unlawfully present in the state) and their consenting immediate family members (spouse, domestic partner, children under 21, or legal ward) to their country of origin or an "authorized settlement country." It prohibits the state from sharing relocation participants' information with federal authorities if their only violation is immigration law, and imposes penalties - including up to 18 months in jail, $10,000 fines, or repayment of relocation costs - for re-entering the state unlawfully after participating. The program aims to reduce state costs associated with services like healthcare and education for this population.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes the "Parents Bill of Rights Act," granting parents and guardians specific rights regarding their child's education in public schools. It requires schools to provide parents with a curriculum summary, allow them to review classroom materials (including textbooks and media), and permits opting children out of any curriculum conflicting with the parent's moral or religious beliefs - without academic penalties for the student. The bill prohibits school districts from interfering with these rights or denying parent requests for educational information. It directly affects all parents/guardians of students enrolled in New Jersey public schools. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 303) allows high school students aged 16-18 to earn graduation credits in health, safety, and physical education by completing a county fire academy course. To qualify, students must pass a junior firefighter exam and commit to volunteering at their local fire department for two years. The credits apply only to specific graduation requirements (N.J.A.C.6A:8-5.1) and do not count toward membership in the Junior Firefighter’s Auxiliary. The bill takes effect immediately for the next full school year after enactment. It directly affects students seeking alternative pathways to meet graduation requirements through fire safety training.

Maddy summaryBill A 315 requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to publicly share settlement details 60 days before finalizing agreements under the Spill Compensation and Control Act, specifically when natural resource damages (like harm to ecosystems) are involved. The DEP must post the case name, settlement parties, property location, payment amounts, and a website link to environmental damage reports and restoration plans on its website and in the New Jersey Register. This affects the DEP (which must publish), settlement parties (who receive written notice), and the public (who gains access to environmental impact data). Existing law already required some disclosures, but this bill adds the mandatory website link for natural resource damage documentation. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.