Asm. Alex Sauickie

Maddy summaryThis bill allows licensed organizations in New Jersey - such as charities, churches, veterans' groups, and civic clubs - to conduct a new type of raffle game called "Queen of Hearts." The game uses a board with 54 shuffled playing cards; a randomly drawn winner selects a card. If the card isn't the Queen of Hearts, the winner gets a cash prize immediately, and the game continues weekly until the Queen is chosen. If the Queen is selected, the winner receives half the prize, with the rest kept by the organization. The state's gambling control commission will establish rules for how these raffles must be run.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3228) extends the required notice period for certain land use applications from 10 to 21 days before public hearings. It directly affects developers and municipalities by requiring longer advance notice to property owners within 200 feet of proposed developments, as well as to county planning boards, utility companies, and other specified entities. The key provision amends Section 7.1 of New Jersey's Municipal Land Use Law (P.L.1975, c.291) to mandate this 21-day notice period for applications involving major subdivisions, site plans, or developments near roads, county land, or state highways. The change applies to most public hearing requirements for development projects, excluding minor site plans and certain routine approvals.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals New Jersey's participation in the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC). The compact would have required New Jersey to allocate its electoral votes to the presidential candidate who won the national popular vote, rather than the candidate who won in New Jersey. By removing the state's commitment to the compact, the bill ensures New Jersey's electoral votes will continue to be awarded based on the state's popular vote outcome, maintaining the current winner-take-all system. The repeal eliminates all statutory references to the agreement in New Jersey law.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey resident taxpayers to deduct the full cost of purchasing and installing a qualifying whole house backup generator from their state gross income tax. The generator must run on natural gas or propane, be permanently connected to the home’s electrical system, and only activate during power outages, with installation meeting all state and local code requirements. The deduction applies to the amount paid during the taxable year for both the purchase and installation. It directly affects homeowners who own a primary residence and install such a generator, reducing their taxable income for that year.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Right to Try-Plus Act permits terminally ill patients (with a life expectancy of 12 months or less) to access investigational treatments not yet approved by the FDA and off-label uses of FDA-approved drugs. To qualify, patients must consult a New Jersey-licensed physician who has reviewed all FDA-approved options, provide written consent, and meet specific criteria like having a terminal illness. Hospitals must provide FDA-approved drugs off-label upon request, while manufacturers may supply investigational treatments without charge or require patients to cover manufacturing costs - though insurers aren’t required to cover these expenses. The bill protects healthcare providers from liability for adverse outcomes (except in cases of gross negligence) and penalizes government officials who block access with fines or jail time.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1213) provides $15 million in supplemental state funding to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Foundation via the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). The funds will support expanding the Vietnam Era Museum by 11,850 square feet to achieve accreditation, acquire modern equipment for preserving artifacts, and enhance educational programming. The Foundation, which serves over 10,000 New Jersey students annually, will use the expansion to improve museum facilities and visitor experiences. This direct funding supports the Foundation's mission to honor Vietnam War veterans and educate the public through its museum and programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1259) increases pensions for New Jersey police and fire department members who suffer accidental disability or death caused by weapons. It raises the accidental disability pension from 66% to 100% of final compensation for those injured by weapons (with a transition to 80% after mandatory retirement age). For deaths caused by weapons, it increases the death benefit for surviving spouses or children from 70% to 75% of final compensation. The final compensation amount used for these calculations will continue to increase until the member would have turned 65, using the same percentage increases as active members' compensation. The bill applies to injuries or deaths occurring on or after its effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an independent Office of Inspector General (OIG) specifically for New Jersey's state veterans' facilities, directly affecting these facilities and the state agencies responsible for them. The OIG will investigate complaints about facility policies, conduct inspections to ensure safety and quality of care, and have authority to subpoena documents and testimony. Crucially, the OIG must immediately investigate policies linked to high death rates during the COVID-19 pandemic at veterans' facilities, reporting findings to the Governor and Legislature within 180 days. All investigation reports will be made public online and shared with the facilities involved, ensuring transparency in oversight.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 37) urges the Governor and Attorney General to provide state assistance to New Jersey municipalities dealing with spontaneous, unpermitted gatherings known as "pop-up parties." It directly affects local governments, which manage public safety through permit systems for events but struggle with sudden, large crowds organized via social media. The resolution requests enhanced state support to help municipalities better prepare for and manage these gatherings, which have led to safety risks and property damage in incidents like the 2022 Wildwood street take-over. It does not create new laws but calls for collaborative solutions to strengthen local responses.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey state agencies and local governments from allowing foreign companies created under the laws of a "foreign adversary" to participate in critical infrastructure projects. A "foreign adversary" is defined as a foreign government designated by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce for actions threatening U.S. national security or safety. The law applies to infrastructure like electricity grids, water pipelines, gas systems, and communication networks, banning these foreign entities from construction, maintenance, or control. Existing agreements before the law's enactment are exempt from this ban but cannot be renewed if they conflict with the new rule. The bill aims to prevent security risks like cyberattacks by restricting foreign control over essential services.