Asm. Paul Kanitra

Maddy summaryThis bill (A824) allows police officers to be assigned to public schools serving as polling places during elections. Local election officials (like district boards or county clerks) can request police presence at these school locations for security. The law prohibits officers assigned for this purpose from interfering with voters. It also requires detailed reporting of all such assignments to election officials and the Secretary of State. The bill amends existing election code to clarify this exception to previous restrictions on police at polling places.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases New Jersey's daily juror pay from $5 to $40 per day for all jurors (both grand and petit) serving in state courts, effective immediately. It replaces the current system - where jurors received $5 daily plus $35 for days beyond three - with a flat $40 rate starting on the first day of service. The bill appropriates $6 million from the General Fund to cover this increase through the Administrative Office of the Courts. This change affects all eligible jurors except certain full-time government employees already compensated under separate provisions.

Maddy summaryACR 43 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit most emergency orders, rules, or regulations issued by New Jersey's Governor to a 14-day period during a declared state of emergency. These measures would automatically terminate on the 15th day unless the Legislature passes a concurrent resolution extending the period. The amendment does not apply to orders rescinding previous emergency actions, those required by federal law, orders affecting only the executive branch, National Guard commands, or orders issued under other existing legal authorities that already allow longer durations. This change would shift oversight from the Governor to the Legislature for extending emergency powers beyond two weeks.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJT) from making major changes to rail yards located near environmentally sensitive areas. Specifically, it blocks alterations within coastal zones, areas draining into Barnegat Bay or EPA-designated priority wetlands, or within 1,000 feet of freshwater/coastal wetlands or tidal water bodies. NJT may only proceed with such projects if the Governor grants written authorization after consulting the Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The law applies to projects requiring environmental permits submitted after March 31, 2022.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates legal immunity for businesses against lawsuits claiming injury or damage from public health emergency exposure at their locations or during their managed activities. It applies to businesses operating under the employer definition (including corporations, partnerships, and groups managing employee relations) and directly affects individuals who might seek compensation for such exposure. The immunity covers claims related to governor-declared public health emergencies but explicitly excludes cases involving reckless conduct, willful misconduct, or intentional harm. This provision aims to protect businesses from certain liability without altering existing immunity protections under state or federal law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey individual taxpayers to deduct up to $1,000 annually from their gross income for qualifying E-ZPass tolls paid on state toll roads or connecting interstate bridges/tunnels (e.g., Delaware River bridges, Port Authority routes). To qualify, the total E-ZPass tolls paid by an individual or household must exceed $1,000 in a tax year. The deduction excludes fines, penalties, administrative fees, employer reimbursements, and tolls already deductible as business expenses. It applies to all filing statuses and takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2017.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A804) makes it a second-degree crime to intentionally disrupt, damage, or interfere with 9-1-1 public safety answering points (PSAPs), which are facilities that receive emergency calls and dispatch services. It directly targets individuals who unlawfully access or disrupt 9-1-1 systems, such as hackers causing outages. The law amends New Jersey’s computer crime statute (N.J.S.2C:20-25) to explicitly include PSAPs under the definition of "computer services" that cannot be impaired without authorization. Violations are punishable by 5-10 years in prison, and if the victim is a government agency (which PSAPs are), the sentence must include a parole-ineligible minimum term.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes mandatory six-month prison terms or six months of community service for individuals convicted of burglary, robbery, or theft during a declared state of emergency in New Jersey. These penalties apply in addition to standard criminal penalties under New Jersey law and cover emergencies like natural disasters or public safety threats declared by the Governor. The law specifies that prosecution must occur in the local municipal court, with the state required to prove the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. It directly affects anyone committing these specific property crimes during an active emergency period.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey truck and van rental companies to photograph any person authorized to operate a rented vehicle before delivery. Rental companies must securely retain these photos for 180 days and provide them to law enforcement upon request if the vehicle is later misused. It applies specifically to rentals for personal or non-commercial use (excluding commercial freight), targeting companies renting trucks, semitrailers, or vans without drivers. The law aims to help authorities identify users when rental vehicles are involved in incidents. The requirement takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires mortgage lenders to maintain vacant, age-restricted dwelling units during foreclosure proceedings. It specifically affects lenders foreclosing on properties in communities that restrict occupancy to older residents (complying with the "housing for older persons" exception under federal law). If a unit becomes vacant during foreclosure but before title transfers to the lender, the community can notify the lender, who must then pay the unit's monthly maintenance fees and maintain the property according to community rules. If the lender fails to meet these obligations, the community can pursue the same remedies against the lender as they would against the original owner. The bill amends existing foreclosure laws (P.L.2008, c.127 and P.L.2012, c.70) to include these requirements.