Asm. Alex Sauickie

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1273) would require all New Jersey employers to verify new employees' work authorization using the federal E-Verify program before hiring. Employers with 100+ staff must comply by December 31, 2020; smaller employers must comply by December 31, 2021. It prohibits knowingly or intentionally employing unauthorized aliens, with penalties including civil fines ($100-$1,000 per violation) and potential business license suspensions for repeated violations. The law also mandates random state audits for compliance and requires employers to terminate unauthorized employees upon court order, with probation periods and quarterly reporting for first offenses.

Maddy summaryBill A2641 requires New Jersey public school districts to allow home-schooled students to join school-sponsored extracurricular activities (like sports, clubs, and theater) in their resident district under the same rules applied to enrolled students. To participate, home-schooled students must provide residency proof, meet activity-specific eligibility and tryout criteria, and follow district policies. The bill specifically prohibits students from transferring to home-schooling solely for athletic advantage, and requires districts to provide physical exams or medical tests (if offered to enrolled students) to home-schooled participants. This policy directly affects home-schooled students and public school districts across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill gradually reduces New Jersey's Corporation Business Tax (CBT) rate for businesses operating in the state. It lowers the rate from 9% to 2.5% over time, with specific reductions: 7% for 2021, 5% for 2022, 3% for 2023, and 2.5% for 2024 and beyond. The bill also provides accelerated reductions for smaller businesses, lowering the tax rate for those with less than $100,000 in income to 3.5% in 2021 and 2.5% starting in 2022. The tax rate applies to taxable net income for businesses with privilege periods ending on or after July 31, 2019.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises the rules for determining the "base year" used to calculate homestead property tax reimbursements after a qualifying resident relocates within New Jersey. It eliminates the requirement for eligible claimants (seniors or disabled homeowners meeting income thresholds) to wait an additional tax year after moving to a new homestead to qualify for reimbursement. Instead, they can immediately qualify following relocation, with the reimbursement based on property taxes from the year prior to moving into the new home. The change applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2021, and does not affect the base year calculation for new construction properties.

Maddy summaryThis bill would appropriate $2.9 billion in state funding to ensure school districts receive aid equal to their "adequacy budget" as determined under New Jersey's School Funding Reform Act. It requires districts that receive increased state aid to reduce their property tax levies by the same amount, with specific provisions for districts where property taxes exceed 5% of district income. The bill also provides additional aid to districts that experienced funding cuts between 2018-2023 and repeals certain laws that contributed to reduced state aid and higher property taxes. The policy aims to align school funding with constitutional requirements for a "thorough and efficient" education system while reducing property tax burdens on residents.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A1261 clarifies that law enforcement officers employed by schools, colleges, or universities may legally carry firearms on campus while performing their duties or commuting to/from work. The bill amends state law (N.J.S.2C:39-5) to explicitly exempt these officers from general prohibitions against firearms in educational settings, provided they have completed a firearms training course administered by the Police Training Commission. This policy change directly affects campus law enforcement officers who are already employed by educational institutions. The bill does not alter firearm possession rules for students, staff, or the public, nor does it address broader campus safety measures.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates practice restrictions for advanced practice nurses (APNs) in New Jersey, allowing them to practice to the full extent of their training without requiring physician supervision or joint protocols. APNs with more than 24 months or 2,400 hours of experience can practice independently, while those with less experience must maintain a joint protocol with a physician for prescribing medications. The bill updates requirements for prescribing medications (including pharmacology continuing education), authorizing medical cannabis, and practicing anesthesia, and repeals sections of law requiring physician collaboration. These changes aim to improve healthcare access, particularly in underserved areas, by expanding the scope of practice for APNs who are already trained to provide primary and specialty care. The bill also modifies documentation requirements so that APNs can use their own signatures instead of requiring physician endorsements.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows surviving spouses of retired police and firefighters (PFRS members) who died while receiving disability retirement benefits to keep state-paid health coverage and continue receiving their pension after remarriage. Specifically, if the retiree's death was linked to a disability (through injury, complications, or worsening of a preexisting condition), the surviving spouse qualifies for full state-funded health benefits under the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) and can receive their pension without termination upon remarriage. The state will cover all health insurance premiums for the spouse and dependent children, and also handle any increased retirement system costs from continuing payments. This applies to deaths occurring before, during, or after the bill's effective date, with retroactive reinstatement possible for those previously denied benefits.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill 5425 expands state financial aid programs to cover postsecondary career and technical education courses offered at county colleges and vocational school districts. The bill allows eligible students enrolled in these workforce development programs, including registered apprenticeships, to receive grants from the Community College Opportunity Grant Program and the Tuition Aid Grant Program. These grants are designed to pay for tuition and approved educational fees that remain after other federal or state aid is applied, with eligibility limits typically extending up to six semesters at a college or two years at a vocational school.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill 5424 requires school district superintendents to annually verify that their local anti-bullying policies include a method for anonymous reporting and submit a statement of assurance to the state Department of Education confirming this compliance. The bill targets school administrators by authorizing the State Board of Examiners to revoke a superintendent's certificate if they intentionally falsify the annual verification or attempt to dissuade individuals from reporting harassment, intimidation, or bullying. This legislation directly affects superintendents and their designees in every New Jersey school district by adding specific accountability measures and potential career consequences for non-compliance with existing anti-bullying laws.