Asm. Alex Sauickie

Maddy summaryThis bill permits licensed organizations in New Jersey (such as charities, churches, and veterans groups) to conduct "Queen of Hearts" raffle games under existing raffle regulations. The raffle uses a board with 54 shuffled cards; participants select cards weekly until someone finds the Queen of Hearts. If they don't find it, they win a cash prize immediately; if they do, they receive 50% of the prize with the rest going to the organizer. The Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission must establish rules for these games, including prize schedules.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2364) requires New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs (DVA) to notify specific veteran organizations, county officers, and municipal registers when individuals are buried or cremated in state veteran cemeteries. It amends state law to mandate that the DVA provide these entities with the names of deceased veterans interred or cremated at state facilities. The key mechanism is a new notification requirement, ensuring these groups receive timely burial/cremation information. This affects veteran service organizations, local government officials, and municipal record-keepers who may need this data for community services or historical records. (Note: The bill was withdrawn as it was approved as P.L.2025, c.229.)

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a program to promote New Jersey-made craft alcohol (beer, cider, mead, liquor) and the retailers who sell it. It establishes a "Certified Jersey Craft Alcohol Beverage Retailer" program requiring retailers to derive at least 10% of annual sales from NJ craft beverages to earn certification and use special signage. The program includes grants of up to $2,500 annually for certified retailers to support capital improvements or marketing, funded by 50% of tax revenue from craft beverage sales. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority will manage the program, develop application guidelines, and track grant usage. The bill directly affects craft beverage producers (with specific licenses) and eligible retail businesses selling their products.

Maddy summaryAJR 50 is a commemorative resolution designating August 27 of each year as "Billy Cray Day" in New Jersey. It honors William "Billy" Cray, a 33-year-old man with developmental disabilities who died in a congregate setting in 2017, and aims to raise public awareness about abuse and neglect in such facilities. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation but does not create new laws or requirements. It is purely symbolic, referencing ongoing concerns highlighted by the Ombudsman's reports and pending legislation (AB 2483/SB 1897) focused on safety reforms.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey to issue special "25th Anniversary of 9/11" license plates for motor vehicles. Vehicle owners who apply pay a $50 initial fee plus a $10 annual renewal fee, with all collected funds (after covering administrative costs) deposited into a dedicated "25th Anniversary of 9/11 License Plate Fund." The fund's monies are annually appropriated to organizations supporting 9/11 victims and families. The plates must feature a tribute design selected with input from a victim support organization, and the program requires a $25,000 cap on initial setup costs covered by non-government contributions.

Maddy summaryThis bill adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism as an educational resource for New Jersey state agencies, schools, and law enforcement. It defines antisemitism as hatred toward Jews, including specific examples like Holocaust denial, harmful stereotypes (e.g., conspiracy theories about Jewish control), and double standards applied to Israel. The definition is explicitly non-binding and must be used while protecting constitutional rights like free speech. New Jersey lawmakers cite the state's high rate of antisemitic incidents - including ranking third nationally in 2023 - as the basis for this measure.

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers responsibility for inspecting on-farm dairy processing operations from the Department of Health (DOH) to the Department of Agriculture (DOA). It requires DOA to collaborate with DOH and local health boards for these inspections and transfers all related records, equipment, and DOH employees involved in these inspections to DOA. The bill directly affects dairy farmers who undergo these inspections and the two state departments managing the process. Key mechanisms include the immediate transfer of authority, resources, and staff, with DOA allowed to create new rules for implementation. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3824) would expand New Jersey's pension and retirement income tax exclusion to include taxpayers with incomes above $150,000. Currently, the exclusion phases out for those earning over $150,000, but this bill would allow taxpayers with income between $150,000 and $300,000 to claim 50% of the exclusion amount for the portion of income within that range. It directly affects New Jersey residents aged 62+ or with permanent disabilities who receive pension or retirement benefits. The change would increase the maximum exclusion amount for qualifying taxpayers, moving it from $150,000 to $300,000 in taxable income.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires county election boards to have bipartisan representation (with members from both major political parties) when opening, handling, and canvassing mail-in ballots. It mandates secure storage for all mail-in ballots and increases penalties for crimes involving ballot tampering, unauthorized access to ballot storage areas, or interference with election processes. The bill also requires election officials to send "cure letters" to voters whose ballots are rejected due to signature issues, explaining the reason and providing a simple form to correct the issue. These changes directly affect county election boards, election officials, and voters participating in mail-in voting. The bill aims to enhance transparency and security in mail-in ballot processing.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires group homes licensed by New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities (serving adults with developmental disabilities receiving Tier C+ services) to install electronic monitoring devices in common areas only when all residents and their authorized representatives unanimously consent in writing. It mandates that group homes must actively seek this consent, provide annual notices about the option, and allow residents to withdraw consent anytime without affecting housing placement. Devices must record continuously, retain footage for 90 days, undergo weekly inspections, and permit residents to review recordings upon request. The bill explicitly prohibits using refusal to consent as a barrier to housing and requires visitor notices at entrances.