Asm. Paul Kanitra

Maddy summaryThis bill would exclude up to $50,000 of gross income from taxation for qualified small businesses under New Jersey's gross income tax and corporation business tax. To qualify, businesses must be independently owned with management owning at least 51% ownership interest, have principal operations located in New Jersey, be registered to do business in the state, earn gross revenues under $2 million annually, and employ no more than 20 full-time or part-time employees (with most being New Jersey residents). The exclusion applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024. This provision would reduce the tax burden for eligible small businesses meeting these specific criteria. The bill provides targeted tax relief to small businesses operating within New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill increases the resource thresholds for certain Medicaid eligibility groups, including seniors, disabled individuals, and those eligible for nursing home or home-based services. It sets new limits at $40,000 for one-person households, $60,000 for two-person households, and $20,000 more per additional person for larger households. These changes apply to Medicaid pathways that currently have resource limits, such as the Medically Needy pathway, Medicare Savings Programs, and nursing home services. The bill aims to align these resource requirements more closely with the MAGI eligibility group, which does not have a resource test for individuals under 65 without disabilities. The NJ Workability Program, which already has no resource requirement, is not affected by these changes.

Maddy summaryCJ's Law (A3797) would criminalize the manufacture, sale, and possession of substances containing kratom in New Jersey. It sets different penalties based on quantity: possessing or distributing one ounce or more of kratom would be a second-degree crime (5-10 years in prison or up to $150,000 fine), while smaller amounts would be third-degree crimes (3-5 years or up to $15,000 fine). Kratom, a botanical substance from Southeast Asia marketed as a pain supplement but not approved for medical use, is associated with health risks including addiction and respiratory issues. The bill is named after Christopher James Holowach, who died from cardiac arrest related to kratom use. Currently, kratom is not banned by New Jersey law but is restricted under federal FDA guidelines.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the monthly personal needs allowance (PNA) from $50 to $140 for low-income residents in nursing homes, state psychiatric hospitals, and state developmental centers. The allowance is intended for residents to spend on discretionary items like phone calls, meals out, clothing, or hobbies. The new amount includes an automatic annual increase tied to the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment starting the year after enactment. It also ensures SSI recipients in these facilities receive the same $140 monthly allowance as Medicaid recipients, with the state covering the difference if federal supplements remain unchanged.

Maddy summaryThis bill would ban most abortions after 20 weeks following fertilization, with exceptions when the pregnancy threatens the woman's life, results from rape (requiring prior reporting to law enforcement), or results from rape or incest involving a minor (also requiring prior reporting). Physicians must determine the probable post-fertilization age before performing an abortion and document the specific exception being used. The bill requires specific informed consent forms, prohibits performing abortions in violation of these rules (which would be a third-degree crime), and mandates appropriate medical care if a child is born alive following an abortion under an exception.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A750 (A750) modifies age requirements for police officer applicants by allowing veterans to deduct up to two years of military service from their age. It directly affects veterans over 35 who served at least 10 days during a time of war, enabling them to qualify if their adjusted age (actual age minus military service) equals 35 or less. The bill amends N.J.S.40A:14-127 to establish this deduction as a specific exception to the existing maximum age limit of 35. This creates a clearer, capped mechanism for veterans to meet age requirements without altering the base eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill strengthens campaign finance transparency in New Jersey by requiring independent expenditure committees (groups that spend money on elections without direct candidate support) to report large contributions and expenditures more frequently, especially in the days before elections. It mandates that these committees report contributions over $7,500 within 24-72 hours before elections and file quarterly reports after elections until their campaign accounts close. The bill also extends the statute of limitations for investigating campaign finance violations from two to four years after an election. Additionally, it exempts all campaign finance reports filed with the Election Law Enforcement Commission from standard redaction requirements that apply to other public records, making these reports more accessible to the public.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to provide a property tax exemption for the primary home of a surviving spouse whose first responder spouse (law enforcement officer, firefighter, or first aid/ambulance/rescue personnel) died in the line of duty. The exemption applies only if the home was the deceased first responder's primary residence at the time of death and continues as long as the surviving spouse lives there and does not remarry. The state would reimburse local governments annually for lost tax revenue from properties receiving this exemption. This change would affect surviving spouses of eligible first responders, covering both paid and volunteer personnel.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires local governments to notify their governing bodies when a sex offender who committed a crime against a minor (under 18) registers to live in the municipality. It prohibits such offenders from residing within 500 feet of schools, child care centers, or playgrounds, with exceptions for those already living there, in correctional facilities, or granted specific exemptions by a court or parole board. The bill applies only to sex offenders convicted of offenses against minors, not all registered sex offenders. Its goal is to enhance public safety by reducing proximity between these offenders and children gathering in designated areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a certification process for non-physicians (such as licensed estheticians or technicians) to legally perform laser tattoo removal in New Jersey. It requires the State Board of Medical Examiners to establish specific standards, including qualification criteria, testing procedures, and continuing education requirements. Non-certified individuals would be prohibited from offering these services, and certification would need renewal every two years. The bill directly affects non-physician practitioners seeking to provide tattoo removal services and aims to standardize safety and training under state oversight.