Asm. Paul Kanitra

Maddy summaryACR 69 is a concurrent resolution declaring that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) 2021 rules implementing the "Advanced Clean Trucks" program are inconsistent with legislative intent. The resolution states the DEP adopted these rules - requiring 55-75% zero-emission truck sales by 2035 - without following a legal requirement to notify environmental committees, as mandated by 2003 law authorizing only California's "phase 2" low-emission vehicle program. The resolution gives the DEP 30 days to amend or withdraw the rules, or the legislature may later pass another resolution to invalidate them. This procedural action directly affects the DEP's rulemaking authority and the timeline for truck manufacturers to comply with the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2834) proposes a 1% annual cap on reductions to state school aid for New Jersey school districts. It directly affects all districts receiving state aid by limiting how much their funding can decrease each school year - no district may face a reduction exceeding 1% compared to the prior year's disbursement. Key provisions include this cap overriding previous laws and establishing detailed schedules for aid adjustments for districts with "positive aid differentials" (those receiving more aid than needed), while exempting certain districts meeting specific tax or spending criteria. The bill aims to stabilize school funding by preventing steep annual cuts, though it does not change overall funding levels.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires developers of new affordable housing projects (10+ units or 4+ stories) to meet LEED Silver or equivalent green building standards. It also mandates that these developers submit four impact studies to local municipalities before construction: traffic, school, storm water, and carbon (if clearing over one acre of land). The requirements apply to "inclusionary developments" as defined under existing law and do not affect projects with applications submitted before the bill's effective date. The bill directs the Commissioner of Community Affairs to adopt implementing rules within eight months of enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the deadline for municipalities to submit their midpoint status reports on affordable housing compliance by one year. It directly affects New Jersey municipalities required to follow the Fair Housing Act (P.L.1985, c.222) and related settlement agreements. The key provision amends existing law to add a one-year extension after the midpoint review date, allowing more time for municipalities to report on their housing element implementation. This change responds to pandemic-related delays in municipal operations, as noted in the bill's statement. The extension applies to all municipalities with active housing element compliance obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state and local law enforcement agencies to submit monthly, anonymized data on firearm permit applications - including applicant demographics (race, ethnicity, gender identity), application status, denial reasons, and location - to the Attorney General. The Attorney General must compile this data (starting retroactively from June 23, 2022) and publish initial and monthly public reports online. It directly affects all applicants for handgun carry permits, purchase permits, and firearm purchaser ID cards by mandating transparency in licensing outcomes. The law aims to provide public data on permit approvals and denials, including potential disparities, without altering existing licensing standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for commercial vehicle owners who fail to display required markings. It mandates that commercial vehicles conspicuously show the owner's name and principal business municipality in at least three-inch-high text. The fine structure changes from $10 per violation to $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second, and $1,000 for third or subsequent offenses. Proceeds from these fines will fund state road repairs, as specified in the amended statute. The bill directly affects commercial vehicle operators and owners who do not comply with the marking requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey election law to explicitly permit voters to photograph their own voted ballots and share those photos on internet-based social media. It directly affects voters participating in elections using official ballots, clarifying that existing rules prohibiting ballot sharing do not apply to this specific action. The key mechanism is an amendment to R.S.19:34-7, adding that "the provisions of this section shall not be interpreted to prohibit a voter from voluntarily taking a photograph of the voter’s own voted ballot and sharing that photograph." Existing prohibitions remain in place for other actions, such as showing ballots to others or having ballots inspected.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 275) requires all state, county, and municipal law enforcement officers to be issued tourniquets, and mandates that basic life support ambulances and mobility assistance vehicles (specialized emergency transport) carry tourniquets during patient transport or while ready to respond. Funding for officer tourniquets may come from criminal forfeiture funds, while the Commissioner of Health will oversee vehicle equipment requirements. The law directly affects law enforcement personnel and emergency medical services operators by making tourniquets standard equipment. It takes effect three months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 724) creates a toll relief program for New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) and South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) users. It provides a 50% credit on tolls paid via E-ZPass for accounts with 35+ qualifying transactions (regular toll payments, not fines or fees) on the Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, or Atlantic City Expressway in a single month. The bill appropriates $250 million from the General Fund to each authority to fund these credits, requires credits to be posted within one month, and mandates quarterly reports to the Governor and Legislature. The program expires one year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 2690) elevates the crime of leaving the scene of an accident that results in death from a second-degree to a first-degree offense. It directly affects drivers who leave such accident scenes, increasing penalties from up to 10 years in prison to up to 20 years, and raising fines from $150,000 to $200,000. The law clarifies that a driver’s knowledge of the death or violation of traffic laws is not required for conviction. It also ensures separate sentences for this charge and related offenses like aggravated manslaughter, with sentences running consecutively. The bill is pending in the Assembly Judiciary Committee.