Asm. Paul Kanitra

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits under the Pension Adjustment Act (P.L.1958, c.143) for members of New Jersey's State-administered retirement systems. It directly affects retirees and beneficiaries of the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund, Judicial Retirement System, Public Employees' Retirement System, Police and Firemen's Retirement System, and State Police Retirement System. The bill reverses a 2011 provision that had eliminated these automatic annual adjustments, ensuring benefits will adjust each year to help maintain purchasing power against inflation. By reinstating COLAs, the bill prevents gradual erosion of retirement benefits' value over time. This change provides concrete financial protection for retirees as the cost of living increases.

Maddy summaryBill A805 amends New Jersey's bribery statute (N.J.S.2C:27-2) to criminalize accepting benefits (such as campaign contributions) as consideration for future official actions, even before taking office. It specifically applies to candidates for public office who solicit, accept, or agree to accept such benefits in exchange for future decisions or actions. The law sets penalties: second-degree crime (5-10 years in prison, up to $150,000 fine) for benefits over $200, or third-degree (3-5 years, up to $15,000) for $200 or less. It explicitly excludes standard campaign activities that comply with election laws, such as public speeches generating lawful contributions under the Campaign Contributions Act.

Maddy summaryACR 31 is a New Jersey legislative resolution applying to Congress for an Article V Convention of States. It seeks to propose constitutional amendments limiting federal government powers, imposing fiscal restraints on spending, and restricting terms of office for federal officials and members of Congress. The resolution is a continuing application, meaning it remains in effect until two-thirds of U.S. states make similar requests on the same issue. This is a procedural step, not a law; it does not change existing federal policy but requests Congress convene a convention to consider specific constitutional amendments.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Office of the Ombudsman for Children within the Attorney General's office (though operating independently) to oversee child welfare services in New Jersey. The Ombudsman investigates state agency responses to child abuse/neglect cases, inspects facilities like foster homes and group homes, and reviews policies affecting children in state care. Key mechanisms include requiring state agencies to create corrective action plans for systemic issues identified by the Ombudsman, mandating annual public reports to the Governor and Legislature, and creating a 24-hour hotline for public concerns. The office directly affects children in foster care or under state supervision, child welfare agencies, and families reporting issues.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A1052 requires all state troopers, county police officers, and municipal law enforcement officers to be issued tourniquets, funded through forfeiture funds collected under N.J.S.2C:64-6. It also mandates that all basic life support ambulances and mobility assistance vehicles licensed by the New Jersey Department of Health must carry tourniquets during patient transport or service. The Attorney General and Commissioner of Health may create guidelines to implement these requirements. The bill takes effect three months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for unlawfully manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing fentanyl in New Jersey. It reclassifies fentanyl offenses to match penalties for heroin and cocaine: possession of five ounces or more becomes a first-degree crime (10-20 year prison term, $500,000 fine, with mandatory minimum time ineligible for parole), 0.5 to five ounces becomes a second-degree crime (5-10 year term, $150,000 fine), and less than 0.5 ounces becomes a third-degree crime with a $75,000 fine (up from $15,000). The bill directly affects individuals convicted of fentanyl-related offenses under current law. These changes align fentanyl penalties with existing penalties for other high-level narcotics.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a New Jersey gross income tax deduction for capital gains realized when landowners sell certain real property interests to qualified conservation organizations for preservation purposes. The deduction applies to both full market value sales and "bargain sales" (where the sale price is below market value, with the difference treated as a charitable donation). The deduction amount equals the capital gain as determined under federal tax rules, covering transactions with groups participating in programs like Green Acres, Blue Acres, and farmland preservation. This policy aims to encourage land conservation by reducing tax liability on such sales, directly benefiting landowners who sell property for environmental preservation.

Maddy summaryThis bill would restore criminal penalties for individuals under the legal age to purchase alcohol or cannabis who possess or consume these substances in schools, public places, or vehicles. Currently, underage possession/consumption results in written warnings rather than criminal charges, but this bill would make it a "disorderly person offense" punishable by a minimum $500 fine and up to six months in jail. The bill also reinstates a six-month suspension of driving privileges for violations committed in motor vehicles. The sponsor states this change is needed because the previous non-punitive system has been ineffective, as shown by increased police reports of underage parties with alcohol and cannabis in beach communities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires courts to mandate installation of an ignition interlock device in a person's principal vehicle whenever a stay of sentence is granted for a DWI conviction or refusal to take a breathalyzer test pending appeal. The device must remain installed in the vehicle until the appeal process concludes. This applies to individuals convicted of DWI under New Jersey law (R.S.39:4-50) or refusal to take a breathalyzer test (section 2 of P.L.1981, c.512). The bill does not change the underlying penalties for DWI convictions but adds this condition for those seeking to delay their sentence while appealing.

Maddy summaryThis bill would establish the New Jersey Animal Abuser Registry, requiring individuals convicted of animal abuse offenses to register with law enforcement. Registered offenders must provide personal information, verify their address annually, and report changes in residence or employment. The registry would make certain information publicly available online for offenders deemed to have a moderate or high risk of re-offense, while restricting access for low-risk offenders. The registry aims to protect public safety by providing information about animal abusers to law enforcement and the public, based on research linking animal abuse to potential violence against humans.