Asm. Paul Kanitra

Maddy summaryThis bill provides New Jersey business and income tax credits to employers who hire immediate family members (spouse, child, or parent) of military service members killed in action. Employers receive a 10% credit on wages paid to eligible family members, capped at $1,200 per person per tax year, for full-time employment lasting at least nine consecutive months. The credit is nonrefundable but can be carried forward for up to 20 years and cannot be combined with other state tax credits for the same wages. It directly affects New Jersey businesses that hire qualifying family members of fallen service members, offering financial incentive for sustained employment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey flood insurers participating in the federal National Flood Insurance Program to provide claimants with all documents related to their property damage claims. Specifically, insurers must share every report, draft, note, measurement, photo, or communication prepared by their engineers, adjusters, or contractors regarding the claim - starting with policyholders who held coverage on October 28, 2012 (the date of Superstorm Sandy). The law mandates full transparency of all claim-related materials, including preliminary versions, to affected policyholders. Insurers violating this requirement face fines up to $5,000 per violation, enforceable by the Banking and Insurance Commissioner.

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-related businesses (like kennels and shelters) must be notified about the list's existence and how to access it. Law enforcement can seize animals from prohibited individuals and seek court action for the animal's disposition. The bill takes effect 180 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 24/7 toll-free helpline for New Jersey first responders, healthcare workers, and other frontline workers (including child protection staff) experiencing PTSD related to pandemic work. The Department of Health, working with Rutgers University, will operate the helpline with staff trained in PTSD and related mental health concerns. Operators will confidentially provide referrals to peer support and counseling services while maintaining privacy, except when severe risk of harm is identified. The helpline directly supports workers' mental health by offering immediate, specialized assistance during a critical period.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education (DOE) to provide any school district with a request the full data, software algorithms, and detailed calculations used to determine state school aid. It directly affects all New Jersey school districts that seek transparency in how their funding is calculated under the School Funding Reform Act (P.L.2007, c.260) and the S-2 funding formula (P.L.2018, c.67). Key provisions mandate the DOE to release all underlying data, proprietary software algorithms, and a district-by-district reconciliation showing how local shares plus equalization aid equal total state adequacy budgets. The bill aims to enable school districts to verify that state aid calculations comply with existing law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a temporary 14-member task force to develop safety protocols for tourism businesses in Atlantic, Cape May, Ocean, and Monmouth counties - areas heavily dependent on summer tourism. The task force must create guidance for safely reopening these businesses (including social distancing), assess the economic impact of its recommendations on tourism operators, and evaluate how its proposals affect coronavirus spread. Members include health officials, tourism leaders, county health departments, and business representatives appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders. The task force must submit its report to county health departments, the Governor, and the Legislature within 30 days of the bill's passage, after which it will expire.

Maddy summaryThis bill would reduce New Jersey's gross income tax rates by 10% over three years, applying a 3.33% reduction each year for taxable years beginning in 2013, 2014, and 2015. It would affect all New Jersey residents who pay state income tax by lowering their tax liabilities across all income brackets. The bill amends N.J.S.54A:2-1 to implement these rate reductions, maintaining the full 10% reduction for future taxable years after 2015. The reduction applies to all filing statuses, including single filers, married couples filing jointly, and heads of household.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A757) creates new criminal offenses for possessing or using credit card scanners without a lawful purpose. It defines a credit card scanner as any device that reads, records, or transmits card information. Possessing one without a valid reason (like for legitimate business use) is a disorderly persons offense punishable by up to $1,000 or 6 months in jail. Using a scanner for illegal activities, such as skimming cards for fraud, is a second-degree crime punishable by up to $150,000 or 5-10 years in prison. The law directly affects individuals or businesses using such devices unlawfully, targeting fraud prevention without altering existing credit card fraud penalties.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A745 clarifies that accessing password-protected electronic communications (like emails) without authorization is illegal. It specifies that accessing such communications without knowing the password or having express consent from at least one party to the communication constitutes a fourth-degree crime. If the access is for commercial gain, private advantage, or malicious damage, it becomes a more serious third-degree crime. The bill directly affects individuals and entities accessing others' digital communications without permission, making clear that no implied consent exists - even if an account was left unlocked. This amendment updates New Jersey's wiretapping statute (C.2A:156A-27) to address modern digital privacy concerns.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires motor fuel terminal facilities, wholesalers, and specific gas stations to have backup power systems capable of operating for 72 hours during disasters. It establishes the "New Jersey Disaster Motor Fuel Supplier Program," certifying retail dealers who can provide fuel to emergency responders and the public during declared emergencies, with priority access for emergency personnel. Certified stations may remain open during curfews without penalty, and participating dealers receive a tax credit covering up to 25% of the cost (capped at $15,000) for required backup power equipment. The requirements apply to new/renovated stations (post-September 2022) and stations near highways or evacuation routes within five miles.