Asm. Paul Kanitra

Maddy summaryThis bill raises the annual income limit for New Jersey residents to qualify for homestead property tax reimbursement. It increases the threshold from $80,000 (for tax years 2009-2016) to $100,000 or less for both single and married individuals in tax year 2017 and subsequent years. The reimbursement program assists seniors (65+) and disabled residents who own or rent homes as their primary residence and meet income requirements. This change directly affects eligible homeowners and renters whose income falls below the new $100,000 cap, expanding access to tax relief. The policy modifies eligibility criteria without altering the program's core mechanism of reimbursing the difference between current and base-year property taxes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 318) modifies New Jersey's requirements for condominium and cooperative associations managing certain multi-story residential buildings. It expands the timeframes for associations to conduct required capital reserve studies - extending the deadline for first-time studies from five years to one year after the law's effective date - and mandates these studies be reviewed by licensed professionals every five years. The studies must assess funding for maintaining the building's structural components (like foundations and load-bearing systems) and include detailed cost projections for repairs, replacements, and future inspections. Associations with less than $25,000 in common-area assets are exempt from these requirements.

Maddy summaryACR 87 is a New Jersey legislative resolution declaring that the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) adoption of California's "Advanced Clean Cars II" (ACC II) program rules - published in the December 18, 2023, New Jersey Register - is inconsistent with state law. The resolution states that New Jersey's 2003 law (P.L.2003, c.266) only authorized the DEP to implement California's earlier "LEV II" program, not the newer ACC II rules, and that the DEP failed to provide required notice to environmental committees before adopting them. The resolution gives the DEP 30 days to amend or withdraw the rules, or allows the legislature to pass another resolution to invalidate them. It directly affects the DEP's rulemaking authority and the implementation of vehicle emissions standards in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Restore Local Offshore Wind Control Act," requires offshore wind project developers to obtain written approval from local governments (such as counties or municipalities) before installing or maintaining infrastructure like power lines on public streets, rights-of-way, or land owned by those governments. Developers must first apply to the Board of Public Utilities for land access rights, triggering a public hearing, after which the local government has 90 days to approve or deny the request. The law aims to give communities more control over projects that could impact property values, noise levels, or local aesthetics, while requiring developers to cover all costs for the approval process. It does not change existing project approval requirements but adds a new local review step for infrastructure placement.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's bribery statute to criminalize offering, accepting, or agreeing to accept benefits as consideration for future official actions - even before someone takes office. It directly affects candidates for public office and individuals seeking political positions, prohibiting them from soliciting or accepting benefits (like campaign contributions) in exchange for future decisions or favors. The law explicitly excludes general campaign activities, speeches, or lawful contributions under campaign finance laws, focusing only on direct quid pro quo arrangements. Violations are classified as second-degree crimes (up to 10 years in prison), or third-degree if the benefit is $200 or less.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A2779) amends workers' compensation and temporary disability benefit laws to exclude undocumented immigrant workers from eligibility. It specifically modifies the definition of "employee" to deny benefits to individuals who are not lawfully present in the U.S. at the time of injury - meaning undocumented workers would not qualify for these benefits even if injured on the job. The key mechanism adds a new exclusion clause to the eligibility criteria, stating benefits are unavailable to "aliens unless they were lawfully admitted for permanent residence" or otherwise legally present under U.S. immigration law. The bill directly affects undocumented immigrant workers in New Jersey who suffer work-related injuries or disabilities. It has been introduced and referred to the Assembly Labor Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces New Jersey's individual gross income tax rates by 10% across all income brackets, phased over three years. It directly affects all New Jersey individual taxpayers who file income tax returns (excluding charitable trusts and pension-related trusts). The key mechanism lowers the percentage rates applied to each income tier, as shown in the amended tax tables, without changing income thresholds. The reduction applies uniformly to all taxable income levels, starting from the effective date of the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 90-day tax amnesty period ending January 15, 2026, allowing taxpayers with unpaid New Jersey state taxes (for returns due between September 2017 and December 2024) to pay the full tax amount plus 50% of accrued interest (without penalties or fees). Taxpayers who participate forfeit all appeal rights for those taxes. All revenue collected during this period will fund a new Stabilization Aid Account, providing financial support to school districts experiencing reduced state aid compared to the prior year. The bill appropriates up to $15 million from this account to cover the administrative costs of running the tax amnesty program.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's Megan's Law to require individuals convicted of sex offenses in foreign countries (or fleeing charges there) to register with local police, similar to domestic offenders. It specifically mandates law enforcement to ask sex offenders about their immigration status and cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The law applies to anyone who is enrolled in an NJ school, employed in the state for specified periods, or resides in New Jersey after a foreign conviction. Registration requirements include submitting forms to local police within 10 days of moving to NJ or 120 days after the law's effective date, with penalties for non-compliance. The bill does not change the definition of "sex offense" but extends existing registration obligations to cover foreign convictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the daily pay for jurors in New Jersey courts from $5 to $40 per day, effective immediately. It replaces the current system (which paid $5 daily plus $35 for days beyond three in a row) with a flat $40 rate for all grand and petit jurors, excluding certain full-time government employees. The bill appropriates $6 million from the General Fund to cover this pay increase and requires the Administrative Office of the Courts to manage payments. It directly affects all citizens summoned to serve on juries statewide.