Asm. Paul Kanitra

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that private beach owners and lessees who allow public access for recreation have no legal duty to maintain beach safety or post hazard warnings. It grants immunity from liability for injuries occurring on unguarded beach areas - defined as portions without an on-site lifeguard monitoring visitors - regardless of whether warnings were provided. Exceptions to this immunity apply only in cases of willful/malicious failure to address known dangers, negligence when access was paid for (not by the state), or gross negligence during non-public-use activities. The law specifically affects privately owned beaches open to the public for sport and recreational purposes, aligning with existing liability standards for similar land types under New Jersey law.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A4407) increases daily pay for election workers from $300 to $400 per election (primary, general, or special). It also raises additional compensation for workers managing signature copy registers: from $12.50 to $20 for one worker, or $6.25 to $10 each for two workers sharing the duty. The state will increase its reimbursement to counties from $225 to $325 per election worker, meaning counties still cover $75 of the $400 daily rate. The bill directly affects election workers and county governments across all New Jersey counties.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires new affordable housing developments (called "inclusionary developments") with 10 or more units or four or more stories to meet LEED Silver or equivalent green building standards. Developers must also submit impact studies on traffic, schools, stormwater, and carbon emissions (if clearing over one acre) to local municipalities before construction begins. The law applies to new projects only, exempting those with applications submitted before the law takes effect. It directs the Department of Community Affairs to create implementing rules within eight months of enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires juveniles accused of delinquency to appear in court in the county where the alleged incident occurred, rather than their county of residence. It directly affects juveniles facing delinquency charges and the juvenile courts handling these cases. The key mechanism changes venue rules by mandating appearance in the incident county, while requiring courts to provide reasonable transportation to ensure attendance. This replaces current practice where venue could be set in the juvenile's residence county.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey COVID-19 Long-Term Health Effects Task Force" to study ongoing health impacts of the virus. The task force will identify symptoms, treatments, and potential vaccine-related effects, then develop public education materials and strategies for healthcare providers. It must submit a final report within one year of forming, focusing on actionable recommendations for the Department of Health and local health departments. The task force expires 30 days after its report is submitted.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state loan program allowing New Jersey school districts with significant budget shortfalls to access funds to avoid cutting nonmandatory programs like advanced courses, sports, music, and kindergarten. Districts must demonstrate they've exhausted options such as program reductions or tax increases before applying, and the Commissioner of Education must approve loans if necessary to maintain a thorough and efficient education. The program includes a dedicated revolving account for loans, requires detailed application documentation about budget impacts and tax history, and permits districts to delay certain budget deadlines while awaiting approval. It directly affects school districts facing fiscal challenges that threaten educational programming.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 137) urges Congress and the President to pass the "Laken Riley Act." The resolution states the Act would require federal custody for migrants who enter the U.S. illegally and are accused of theft or burglary. It references the 2024 murder of Laken Riley, a nursing student, by Venezuelan migrant Jose Antonio Ibarra - who had prior minor arrests (including shoplifting) but wasn't detained due to gaps in immigration enforcement. The resolution claims this policy would prevent similar tragedies by ensuring such individuals face federal custody. The resolution itself has no legal effect and serves only as a symbolic endorsement of the proposed federal legislation.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from requiring Tier A municipalities to adopt ordinances controlling tree removal and replacement as part of the Municipal Stormwater Regulation Program. Tier A municipalities are defined as those located in urbanized areas meeting specific population density and stormwater discharge criteria (e.g., population over 1,000 in urbanized areas, population density ≥1,000/sq mile). The bill directly reverses a November 2023 DEP rule that mandated these tree ordinances for Tier A communities. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new expedited court process for property owners to remove unauthorized occupants who never paid rent, had no lease, or permission to live on the property. Property owners must submit a verified complaint with specific certifications (e.g., occupant never paid rent or had written permission) and provide written notice to the occupant before filing. The court must schedule a hearing within 5 business days and issue a writ of possession if the certifications are verified, requiring immediate removal by court officers. Property owners who win such cases can recover treble damages for unlawful occupancy beyond standard remedies. The process applies only to occupants without any legal basis for occupancy, as defined by the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4256) requires New Jersey's Attorney General to repeal Attorney General Law Enforcement Directive No. 2018-6. The directive currently restricts state, county, and local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities in specific ways, such as providing assistance solely to enforce civil immigration law or extending detention based only on immigration detainer requests. If passed, the bill would eliminate these restrictions, allowing law enforcement to share information and cooperate with federal immigration authorities under federal law. The bill directly affects all New Jersey law enforcement agencies operating under the Attorney General's authority.