Asm. Rob Clifton

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to prioritize principal forgiveness for environmental infrastructure loans to municipalities in coastal areas. It directly affects coastal municipalities needing funding for projects like wastewater treatment and water supply systems. The key mechanism establishes that these coastal communities will receive preferential treatment in the existing Interim Environmental Financing Program for eligible projects listed on the DEP's priority list. The change modifies how loan forgiveness is allocated within current financing programs, without creating new funding sources.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 628) prohibits courts from awarding a "builder's remedy" in lawsuits challenging exclusionary zoning laws. It directly affects municipalities, developers, and affordable housing advocates involved in zoning litigation. The bill states that courts must instead impose other remedies if a municipality fails to provide a realistic opportunity for affordable housing development, banning court orders that require zoning changes to include market-rate housing as a condition for development. The Legislature states this remedy has historically produced excessive market-rate housing with little affordable housing, harming communities and the state. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits of members in New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). It directly affects current and future retirees who are members of this system, restoring annual benefit increases tied to inflation. The key provision amends existing law to allow the retirement system's board of trustees to reinstate these automatic COLAs without requiring additional contributions from members, provided actuarial certification confirms the change won't harm the fund's long-term stability. The bill does not create new benefits but returns a previously reduced feature of the retirement system.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a $2,000 deduction from New Jersey gross income tax for eligible volunteer firefighters, first aid squad members, and rescue squad volunteers. To qualify, individuals must serve the entire tax year, meet specific duty requirements (60% fire service attendance or 400 duty hours for fire volunteers; 10% rescue service attendance or 400 duty hours for first aid/rescue volunteers), and hold required certifications (Firefighter I for fire volunteers or approved EMS training for rescue volunteers). Fire departments and first aid/rescue squads must submit annual lists of qualifying members to state agencies by March 31st. The deduction applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryBill A 3154 prohibits terminal leave compensation for local government employees in counties, municipalities, fire districts, and similar entities (excluding school districts) who have adopted New Jersey’s Title 11A civil service rules. It bans using accumulated administrative leave, vacation, sick leave, or longevity benefits for full pay during the terminal leave period before retirement. The bill also requires medical verification for employees using six or more consecutive sick days within 12 months of retirement eligibility, with improper use leading to deduction from retirement benefits. Employers may mandate physician examinations to verify medical necessity for sick leave claims.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill lowers the cost threshold for state reimbursement of special education expenses from $40,000 to $35,000 for students educated in regular public school settings. School districts will now receive 90% state funding for costs exceeding this new threshold (previously $40,000), while maintaining 75% reimbursement for costs above $40,000 in separate public schools and $55,000 for private school placements. It directly affects school districts serving students with disabilities requiring intensive services, adjusting how they receive state aid for high-cost special education programs. The bill is pending before the Assembly Education Committee as of January 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to repeal a 2018 directive (No. 2018-6) that limited local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The directive previously prohibited police from sharing certain information with immigration officials - such as notifying them about detained individuals' release dates or extending detention solely based on immigration requests - when immigration enforcement was the sole purpose. The bill directly affects state, county, and local police departments by removing these restrictions on sharing information with federal immigration authorities. It aims to restore full cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration agencies, as specified in the directive's current provisions. The repeal would take effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryACR 88 proposes a constitutional amendment to New Jersey's property tax system, establishing a permanent $250 annual deduction for veterans, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities. It extends the deduction to honorably discharged veterans, veterans with service-connected disabilities, and surviving spouses of veterans who died on active duty or were honorably discharged. The bill also clarifies that veterans living in continuing care retirement communities can receive the deduction through their community, which must pass it to them within 30 days. Additionally, it aligns the deduction amount ($250) and income threshold ($10,000 annually) for senior citizens (65+) and disabled residents with the veterans' deduction, ensuring consistent eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public employees (including elected officials and local government workers) to automatically lose their positions upon conviction for certain crimes, such as dishonesty, third-degree offenses, or crimes directly related to their job. It also permanently bans convicted individuals from holding any future public office, position, or employment in New Jersey. The law mandates courts to issue immediate forfeiture orders and creates a state registry tracking all disqualifications. Key triggers include convictions under New Jersey law for crimes like fraud or third-degree offenses, or similar crimes committed elsewhere. The registry ensures transparency by documenting all disqualifications, though courts may waive penalties for minor offenses like disorderly conduct.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires sellers to provide prospective buyers with a detailed written disclosure about "payments in lieu of property taxes" (PILOTs) before closing a sale on real estate developed under New Jersey's Long Term Tax Exemption Law (P.L.1991, c.431). The disclosure must explain how the PILOT payment is calculated, the duration of the obligation, and whether making these payments affects eligibility for state property tax relief programs like the senior freeze or veterans' deductions. It directly affects buyers purchasing properties built through tax-exempt development agreements, ensuring they understand long-term financial obligations. The seller must provide this information from the municipality's agreement with the developer, and the buyer must sign and retain a copy before finalizing the sale.