Asm. Paul Kanitra

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey electric utilities from raising rates specifically to cover smart meter installation costs. It requires utilities to publicly disclose rate increase details (amount, date, reasons, and impact) 30 days before and after any increase, with fines up to $10,000 for noncompliance. For rate hikes causing a 5%+ average bill increase, utilities must report to the federal Department of Energy 60 days in advance and provide annual reports on service interruptions and overdue bills. The bill also bans disconnecting service or charging late fees for affected ratepayers for six months following such significant increases. These provisions directly protect residential and business electricity customers from unexpected costs while increasing utility transparency.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's process for defining flood hazard areas. It requires the Department of Environmental Protection to update flood maps to align with federal FEMA standards, mandating that state flood hazard zones must be at least as protective as FEMA's 100-year floodplain maps and no more than one foot above FEMA's designated elevation. The bill also delays implementation of the proposed NJPACT flood rules until after June 1, 2038, unless the Legislature passes a specific resolution authorizing them. These changes directly affect property owners, developers, and local governments needing permits in flood-prone areas, as they govern where construction can occur and what safety standards apply.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits all New Jersey state employees, agencies, and state contractors from downloading or using the TikTok app or visiting its website on any state-issued or state-leased electronic device (including phones, computers, and tablets). It directly affects state workers and contractors who use government-provided technology, with exceptions for law enforcement using TikTok during investigations under guidelines set by the Attorney General. The bill aims to address security concerns raised by the FBI regarding TikTok's data collection practices and potential access by Chinese entities under Chinese law. The prohibition takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill shifts the cost of state-appointed school district monitors from local school districts to the State of New Jersey. When a district faces fiscal issues like audit failures, deficits, or repeated financial problems, the Commissioner of Education can appoint a State monitor to oversee finances, staffing, and operations. The bill requires the State to cover all costs - including the monitor's salary and related staff expenses - instead of forcing financially strained districts to pay these costs themselves. This change directly affects school districts in fiscal distress, preventing them from using limited funds to cover oversight costs while addressing budget crises.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits individuals convicted of or found liable for animal cruelty violations from owning, keeping, or harboring animals in New Jersey. It requires the Department of Health and Senior Services to create and maintain a public website list of these individuals, updated at least every 30 days. Municipal clerks and animal facilities (like shelters and pet shops) must check this list before issuing pet licenses or registrations. Authorities can seize animals from violators who continue to own them, and courts must notify the department of convictions within 30 days.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires explicit permission (informed consent) before obtaining genetic information from DNA samples, directly affecting individuals, newborns, crime victims, and witnesses. Exceptions include law enforcement using DNA for criminal investigations (with strict limits on victim/witness DNA), existing newborn screening programs, paternity cases, and DNA database submissions. It also restricts sharing genetic data without consent, except in specific legal circumstances like court orders, criminal proceedings, or federal identification purposes. Additionally, it mandates that individuals must be notified when genetic testing occurs and outlines new regulations for consent procedures.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A 711 requires public colleges and universities to create and maintain cyber security plans to protect student and staff data. The plans must cover monitoring for threats, assessing risks, preventing breaches, and responding to incidents. Institutions must regularly update these plans and consult with the state’s Cybersecurity Center for best practices. The bill defines a "cyber attack" as unauthorized access to personal information (like Social Security numbers or financial data) without proper security, but excludes phishing attempts and legitimate employee data use. It also mandates reporting actual cyber attacks to the state office while clarifying what does not count as an attack.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 719) amends New Jersey's statute of limitations for criminal prosecutions involving DNA or fingerprint evidence. It clarifies that the time limit for prosecuting such cases does not begin until the state confirms a match between crime scene evidence and a suspect's DNA or fingerprint. This directly affects prosecutions for serious crimes where DNA/fingerprint evidence is key, such as sexual assault or homicide cases. The change corrects a previous court interpretation (State v. Thompson) that had incorrectly placed the start date earlier. The policy change ensures prosecutions can proceed once a match is verified, not just when evidence is collected.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 5-year pilot program providing free firearm safety training to low-income New Jersey residents seeking certain firearm permits. It directly affects individuals earning under $75,000 annually (single) or $150,000 (married couple filing jointly) who qualify for a firearms purchaser ID card, handgun purchase permit, or carry permit. The program offers training courses in three regions (north, central, south) twice yearly, or provides vouchers for approved private training. After successful completion, applicants receive their required permit, and the program must be evaluated with a report to the Governor and Legislature within 90 days of termination.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes where juvenile delinquency cases must be heard in New Jersey. It requires that when a juvenile is charged with a delinquent act, the case must be prosecuted in the county where the incident giving rise to the complaint allegedly occurred. Currently, cases could sometimes be heard in the juvenile's home county unless a court found "good cause" to keep it in the incident county. The bill removes this exception, making the county of the incident the mandatory location for prosecution. This applies specifically to juvenile delinquency cases handled under New Jersey's juvenile court system.