Asm. Alex Sauickie

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Assembly Resolution AR 47 urges Congress and the President to enact the federal "Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2023" (pending as H.R.895 and S.140). The resolution highlights that organized retail crime costs U.S. retailers an estimated $100 billion annually, with rising violence against workers - 40% of retailers report weapon use in such incidents - and seeks to establish a Department of Homeland Security center to address the issue. The federal bill would strengthen law enforcement tools, including money laundering statutes and criminal forfeiture after convictions for organized retail theft. This resolution does not change policy but advocates for federal action on the pending legislation.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 46) is a non-binding statement condemning rhetoric that threatens law enforcement personnel or incites violence against them. It specifically targets inflammatory speech, threats, and hate speech directed at police, referencing recent incidents in places like Ferguson and Baltimore. The resolution will be sent to the New Jersey State Police, police chiefs, and the Policemen's Benevolent Association, but it does not create new laws or penalties. It directly addresses public discourse affecting law enforcement officers, who are described as serving "honorably" while being subject to accountability.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's tax foreclosure process to protect property owners' equity. Currently, when a property owner loses a tax sale foreclosure case, they lose all equity built up in the property (e.g., from mortgage payments or appreciation). Under the bill, after a court approves the foreclosure, the sheriff must hold an internet auction of the property instead of transferring ownership to the tax lien holder. Auction proceeds first cover the tax lien holder's costs (property taxes, interest, and court fees), then any municipal liens, and any remaining funds are returned to the former owner.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a New Jersey state grant program to preserve, extend, and manage Revolutionary War battlefields, encampments, and skirmish sites threatened by development. The Department of State will award competitive grants to local governments and qualified non-profits based on specific preservation plans and administrative capability. It appropriates $50 million from the state's General Fund to implement the program, requiring grant recipients to report on fund usage and project outcomes. The initiative aims to protect New Jersey's significant Revolutionary War historical sites, which the bill notes hosted more battles than any other original state.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends New Jersey's ANCHOR Property Tax Relief Program to include homeowners and renters who pay "in lieu of property taxes" to their municipality, a group previously excluded. It modifies the FY2024 appropriations act to explicitly allow these individuals to qualify for tax relief based on their 2020 income and property tax amounts, without changing existing income thresholds or benefit caps. Eligible residents - such as those with 2020 income under $150,000 (receiving up to $1,500) or $150,000-$250,000 (receiving up to $1,000) - will now receive refunds retroactive to July 1, 2023. The change applies to both owner-occupied homes and rental units meeting the program's criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A676) designates a specific 0.45-mile segment of State Highway Route 71 in Spring Lake Heights (from milepost 3.25 to 3.70) as the "John Tarantino Highway" to honor Angelo John Tarantino, a WWII veteran who served in the European Theater and participated in key battles including D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge. The bill requires the Commissioner of Transportation to erect signs bearing this designation but explicitly prohibits using state or public funds for the signs. Instead, it authorizes the Department of Transportation to accept private funding - such as gifts, grants, or donations - from non-governmental organizations to cover the costs of producing, installing, and maintaining the signs. The designation takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1263) upgrades the penalty for assaulting law enforcement officers to a second-degree crime when bodily injury occurs. Currently, such assaults are a third-degree crime (3-5 years in prison) if injury happens, but this bill elevates it to a second-degree crime (5-10 years in prison, up to $150,000 fine) for injured officers. It specifically targets assaults on officers identifiable by uniform or authority during duty, without changing penalties for assaults causing no injury. The change applies directly to law enforcement officers and aims to increase penalties for violent acts against them.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides additional state funding from the Property Tax Relief Fund to the Department of Education to ensure certain New Jersey school districts receive at least the same total state aid in the 2021-2022 school year as they did in 2017-2018. It directly affects four named districts (Old Bridge, Freehold, Manalapan-Englishtown, Millstone) and over 100 other districts meeting specific criteria, such as having below-average property valuation or income per pupil. The key mechanism requires the state to supplement aid for qualifying districts to match their 2017-2018 funding level. The bill takes effect immediately but depends on the 2022 budget being enacted.

Maddy summaryBill A1241 establishes the Code Blue Shelter Matching Grant Program within New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA). It provides matching funds to community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that offer shelter during Code Blue alerts (cold-weather emergency alerts), requiring these groups to first receive a grant from a county or municipality within the past year. The DCA will match these local grants up to $50,000 per county/municipality annually, with no cap on the total number of grants or individual nonprofit funding. Nonprofits must submit applications detailing their finances, the original grant amount, and how funds will be used, and the DCA must report program effectiveness to the Governor and Legislature within three years.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill provides a $500 annual tax credit against gross income tax for volunteer firefighters who have been actively serving for three consecutive years. It directly affects volunteer firefighters employed by incorporated volunteer fire companies or part-paid fire departments in the state. To qualify, a taxpayer must have been an active member for the entire current tax year and the two prior years. The credit reduces the taxpayer's state income tax bill by up to $500 but cannot lower the tax below zero.