Asm. Rob Clifton

Maddy summaryThe "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act" (S 3309) requires used car dealers to check for open recalls on vehicles before sale using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website and provide prospective buyers with printed recall information if any are found. Dealers cannot sell vehicles subject to stop-sale or do-not-drive notices issued by NHTSA. The bill mandates dealers to report vehicles with unresolved recalls (for which repairs remain uncompleted six months after initial notice) to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission every 180 days, prompting the Commission to send notices directly to vehicle owners. For vehicles with unavailable parts for recalls, dealers receive monthly compensation equal to 1.75% of the vehicle's value until repairs are completed.

Maddy summaryThe bill modifies New Jersey's definition of Class I renewable energy to include nuclear fission, which was previously excluded from renewable energy classifications. It establishes a Corporation Business Tax (CBT) credit of $1,000 per gigawatt hour for facilities producing "clean baseload energy" (defined as reliable, continuous power generation without greenhouse gas emissions). Nuclear power plant operators would be directly affected, as they could claim this credit for electricity generated from nuclear fission. To qualify, taxpayers must apply for certification from the Board of Public Utilities, and the credit would be limited to 50% of tax liability for the relevant tax period.

Maddy summaryThis is a procedural resolution (not a bill) establishing a special committee. It creates the "Assembly Special Committee on Staten Island Annexation" with 12 members (6 appointed by the Assembly Speaker, 6 by the Minority Leader). The committee's sole purpose is to investigate New Jersey's historical, legal, and geographic claims to Staten Island - including colonial land grants, the 1834 boundary compact, and relevant case law - and to report on lawful avenues for annexation, subject to consent from Staten Island residents, New York State, and Congress. The committee must publish a final report after completing its work.

Maddy summaryBill A5939 transfers authority for inspecting on-farm dairy processing activities from the New Jersey Department of Health to the Department of Agriculture. It requires the Agriculture Department to collaborate with the Department of Health and local health boards when conducting these inspections. The bill also allows the Agriculture Secretary to create necessary rules under state administrative law. This change directly affects dairy farmers who process milk on their farms, as their inspections will now be managed by the Agriculture Department instead of Health. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a one-time $5 million grant program to help 10 specific New Jersey school districts implement free, full-day kindergarten programs. The districts affected - Moorestown, Haddonfield, Metuchen, Monroe, Millstone, Chathams, Bridgewater-Raritan, Hillsborough, Cranford, and Westfield - must apply with implementation plans and cost estimates. If approved, each district receives an equal share of the $5 million to cover program setup costs. The program applies only to districts not currently offering free, full-day kindergarten.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A3558 bill establishes the state's official definition of antisemitism using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) standard, including specific examples of antisemitic conduct. State agencies and institutions must use this definition when reviewing, investigating, or deciding on cases involving discriminatory acts motivated by antisemitism. The bill appropriates $100,000 for a public awareness campaign by the Attorney General's office to educate residents on identifying and reporting bias crimes through community outreach and the existing bias crimes hotline. This campaign aims to improve reporting of antisemitic incidents without affecting First Amendment rights or conflicting with existing anti-discrimination laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows commercial farms on preserved farmland (producing $10,000+ annually in agricultural products) to host special occasion events like weddings or parties, provided they meet specific conditions. Key restrictions include: events cannot interfere with farming, must stay under 10% of the farm’s annual revenue from such events, and cannot use permanent structures built within the last five years unless the revenue threshold is met. Farms must obtain written approval from the land’s grantee (e.g., state or nonprofit entity), limit events to 26 per year (with no more than six events exceeding 250 guests), and follow local regulations for noise, parking, and temporary structures. The policy aims to support farm revenue while maintaining agricultural use of preserved land.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 2.5% annual limit on rent increases for tenants living in modular or manufactured homes used as their primary residence. It directly affects renters in these specific housing types, excluding owner-occupied properties with three or fewer units and affordable housing units with income restrictions. Landlords cannot raise rents more than 2.5% over any 12-month period for covered units, and violations require reverting to the previous rent amount. The law supplements existing rent protections but does not override stricter local rent control ordinances.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act" to improve transparency around vehicle recalls and provide fair compensation for dealers. It requires motor vehicle dealers to check for open recalls on used vehicles using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website before sale, inform prospective buyers about any recalls found, and not sell vehicles subject to stop-sale or do-not-drive notices. Dealers must also provide the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission with lists of vehicles with long-unfixed recalls (six months or more), triggering the Commission to send official notices to vehicle owners. The bill also establishes compensation requirements for dealers when parts are unavailable for recalled vehicles, requiring 1.75 percent of the vehicle's value per month for used vehicles or the manufacturer's suggested retail price for new vehicles.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a program to promote New Jersey-made craft alcoholic beverages and the retailers that sell them. It creates a "Certified Jersey Craft Alcohol Beverage Retailer" designation for stores selling at least 10% of their alcohol revenue from NJ craft producers (like breweries, cideries, or distilleries), and provides grants of up to $2,500 annually to these retailers for marketing, equipment, or facility improvements. The program is funded by 50% of tax revenue from craft beverage sales, plus potential state funds, administered by the Economic Development Authority. It directly affects NJ craft beverage producers and qualifying retail license holders who meet the sales threshold.