Asm. Paul Kanitra

Maddy summaryBill A 660 requires New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Transit) to conduct criminal history background checks on prospective employees who need access to security-sensitive areas (defined as areas critical to facility and operational security). It mandates fingerprinting with written consent, prohibits hiring if disqualifying records exist, and gives applicants 20 days to appeal disqualifications based on record accuracy or rehabilitation. Current security employees must wear visible photo identification cards displaying their name, photo, signature, and employment proof at all times while on duty, and are prohibited from sharing these cards. The bill directly affects NJ Transit security personnel in roles requiring access to sensitive areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey shore municipalities to offer free or reduced beach access fees to the spouse and dependent children (over age 12) of veterans who were honorably discharged after at least 90 days of active duty or due to a service-connected injury/disability. It amends existing law, which already permits fee waivers for active military personnel, National Guard members, seniors, and others, by adding veterans to the eligible group. Municipalities are not required to adopt this policy but may choose to do so via local ordinance. Veterans can verify eligibility using standard documents like a DD-214 form or state veteran ID.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 14-member task force to develop safety and economic guidelines for tourism-dependent businesses in Atlantic, Cape May, Ocean, and Monmouth counties. The task force must create reopening guidance (including social distancing), assess economic impacts on these businesses, and evaluate how its recommendations affect coronavirus spread. Members include health officials, tourism department representatives, bipartisan legislators, and business owners from each affected county. The task force must submit its report to county health departments, the state chamber of commerce, the governor, and legislature within 30 days, after which the bill expires.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey COVID-19 Long-Term Health Effects Task Force" to study and address ongoing health impacts of the pandemic. The task force will identify symptoms, treatments, and vaccine-related health effects, develop public education strategies, and create guidance for healthcare providers treating affected patients. It requires a nine-member group including health officials, medical experts, and public appointees from legislative leaders, with the Department of Health providing administrative support. The task force must submit a final report with recommendations within one year of forming and will expire 30 days after that submission. This directly affects New Jersey residents experiencing long-term COVID-19 symptoms and the state's healthcare system.

Maddy summaryBill A-675 prohibits New Jersey Transit (NJT) from making major rail yard modifications - such as adding tracks, building fuel tanks, or upgrading facilities - near environmentally sensitive areas. It specifically applies to rail yards located within coastal zones, within 1,000 feet of wetlands or tidal water bodies, or where water flows into the Barnegat Bay Estuary. NJT must obtain the Governor’s written authorization after consulting the Department of Environmental Protection and the EPA before proceeding with such changes. This law aims to protect ecological areas by requiring environmental review and approvals before rail yard alterations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 5-year property tax exemption for homeowners in New Jersey who elevate their homes after natural disasters (e.g., raising foundations to prevent flood damage). The exemption applies *only* to the increased property value directly tied to the new space created by elevation work (like raised foundations), not other improvements. Homeowners must reside in a municipality that has declared the area affected by a declared disaster (e.g., via state emergency declaration). During the exemption period, tax assessors must ignore this specific value increase when calculating property taxes, though other value increases from repairs still count toward taxable value.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for smoking cannabis or marijuana on New Jersey public beaches. For first offenses, fines jump from $250 to $500; second offenses from $500 to $1,000; and subsequent offenses from $1,000 to $1,500. The bill specifies that cigarette smoking penalties remain unchanged. Fines collected will be split equally: 50% funding state smoking cessation programs and 50% going to the local municipality where the violation occurred. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows members of New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) who participated in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations to qualify for accidental disability retirement benefits. It presumes that disabilities resulting from these operations - such as respiratory illnesses, PTSD, or skin conditions - are work-related, eliminating the need to prove direct connection to duties. To qualify, members must have worked at least eight hours at the site between September 11-12, 2001, or have a documented injury preventing them from completing eight hours. The change applies specifically to disabilities linked to 9/11 exposure, streamlining eligibility for affected first responders and workers.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires police to immediately suspend a driver's license (or out-of-state driving privilege) when arresting someone for certain drunk driving offenses, including driving while intoxicated, refusing a breath test, or, for drivers under 21, operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.01% to 0.08%. Officers must confiscate the license (unless issued by another state), forward documents to the Motor Vehicle Commission, and notify the driver of their right to request a hearing within 10 days. The hearing, held within 10 days by an administrative judge, determines if the initial arrest was justified before the suspension continues pending court proceedings. The temporary suspension period counts toward any final license penalty imposed by a court after conviction.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey State Board of Education members to attend meetings in person to be counted as present, except during a governor-declared state emergency. It also mandates that all public meetings be accessible both in person and virtually, with a live link posted online for remote viewing. Additionally, the bill ensures the public can submit comments during meetings remotely during public comment sessions. These changes directly affect board members' attendance tracking and public participation in education policy discussions.