Asm. Alex Sauickie

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to create a program where the state acts as a "purchaser of last resort" for unsold fruits and vegetables from farmers. It directs the department to buy produce at a reasonable market price from farmers who cannot sell it elsewhere, then distribute it to food banks, homeless shelters, senior centers, adult day care facilities, veterans groups, and other nonprofits providing meals. The program must comply with Department of Health food safety rules, and the department must request annual funding to implement it. The bill directly affects New Jersey farmers facing unsold inventory and nonprofit organizations serving vulnerable populations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a refundable tax credit for New Jersey homeowners in common interest communities (like condominiums or cooperatives) who pay homeowners' association (HOA) fees for infrastructure improvements. The credit equals 18% of the total HOA assessments paid annually for infrastructure projects, as verified by a certification from the HOA. Homeowners must submit this certification when filing their state income tax return to claim the credit, which can reduce their tax bill to zero and refund any remaining amount. The credit applies regardless of whether the home is subject to property taxes or alternative payment agreements.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's residential burglary law to remove enhanced sentencing when a burglar enters a home believing no resident is present due to a death or funeral, making it a second-degree crime without the standard sentencing enhancements. It also clarifies that disrupting funerals - through obstruction, noise within 500 feet, or using funeral information to commit a crime - is illegal, with disruptions typically classified as a disorderly persons offense and using funeral details for criminal activity as a fourth-degree crime. The bill directly affects burglars targeting homes during vulnerable times (like funerals) and individuals who disrupt funeral services. These changes adjust existing penalties to better account for the context of grief and loss.

Maddy summaryACR 127 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit annual increases in the assessed value of real property to no more than 2% of the previous year's value. This would apply to all New Jersey property owners, with exceptions for properties changing ownership or farmland switching from agricultural use to non-agricultural purposes. The amendment requires the Legislature to pass implementing laws, setting the first assessment at October 1 following voter approval, with annual increases thereafter capped at 2% for most properties. If approved by voters, this would change how property taxes are calculated for most homeowners and landowners.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's State Agriculture Development Committee (SADC) to identify farmland that qualifies for differential property tax rates under the Farmland Assessment Act of 1964 but does not meet its county's minimum acreage requirement for farmland preservation programs. The SADC must then notify affected landowners in writing about preservation eligibility criteria (excluding income requirements) and invite them to apply for preservation through easements or land sales under existing farmland protection laws. The bill ensures that if a farm meets income requirements for tax assessment, those requirements won't be applied to preservation applications. It requires the SADC to complete county surveys within two years, process applications in order of submission, and report results to the Governor and Legislature within a year of completion.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey law enforcement agencies to publicly report bias incidents within 24 hours. Specifically, the Attorney General, county prosecutors, and local police must post incident details (including relevant facts to aid investigation) and contact information for reporting additional information on official websites. The public can then provide tips to help investigate and prosecute these incidents. Updated information about case outcomes must also be shared online. This applies to incidents involving bias based on race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics as defined by existing law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to include age-appropriate lightning safety instruction in health education for all students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The curriculum must cover indoor/outdoor safety tips, first aid for lightning strikes, common myths, and the school's severe weather policies. School districts may use resources from the National Weather Service or NOAA to support this teaching. The requirement takes effect immediately for the next full school year following enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Office of Citizen Involvement, Land Use, and Planning Advocate within New Jersey’s Department of State, replacing the abolished Office of Planning Advocacy. The new office will provide public resources, including a centralized online database for information on large-scale development projects (like warehouses and regional impact developments), and manage the required basic land use law training for local planning officials. It will track course completion, ensure board members meet training standards, and create plain-language guides to help residents understand zoning and planning processes. The office will also coordinate between local governments and state agencies on land use matters.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4387) requires New Jersey's State Planning Commission to create plain-language guidance for local planning boards and zoning authorities on reviewing warehouse development projects. The guidance must address community concerns like traffic, safety, and environmental impacts, and include practical examples for applicants. It also mandates that officials taking required land use training complete a new module on warehouse development using this guidance. The bill directly affects municipal planning boards, zoning boards, and officials who review warehouse projects, while indirectly impacting warehouse developers and communities near proposed sites. The guidance must be published online within three months of the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program to preserve farmland in New Jersey threatened by development for warehouses or high-density projects. It appropriates $50 million from the existing Global Warming Solutions Fund to allow the State Agriculture Development Committee to purchase land or development rights from landowners. Landowners selling to developers must notify the committee in writing, giving it the first right to buy the land at the offered price. The fund will be managed by the committee to prevent agricultural land from being converted to non-farm uses.