Asm. Rob Clifton

Maddy summaryThis bill provides emergency state school aid to specific New Jersey school districts located in historic communities that meet strict criteria. It directly affects districts with a single school building originally built by the federal government (which would revert to federal ownership if closed), located in municipalities listed on historic registers, and demonstrating high student achievement. To qualify, a district must show that state aid reductions under P.L.2018, c.67 have put its sole building at risk of closure, harming students, community quality of life, and historic legacy. If approved, the Commissioner of Education provides aid equal to the exact amount of the state aid reduction that triggered the risk. The aid applies to the 2019-2020 through 2024-2025 school years, requiring annual applications.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A482) requires land sellers to disclose the original purchase price of property being sold for farmland preservation to a county, county agriculture development board, or municipality. Specifically, sellers must provide this disclosure to the purchasing entity before completing the sale of real property or a development easement. The law applies directly to individuals, corporations, or entities selling land for preservation purposes under existing farmland programs. It creates a transparency requirement for these transactions, taking effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits retirement payments for unused sick leave to $15,000 and prohibits payment for sick leave earned after the bill's effective date. It requires public employees to provide medical documentation for six or more consecutive days of sick leave, with penalties including unpaid leave and potential termination for violations. The bill also suspends retirement payments if an employee is indicted for certain crimes and forfeits payments upon conviction for those crimes. These provisions apply to state, local government, and school board employees in New Jersey. The bill will take effect two months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new "Statewide Farmland Preservation Formula" to determine the value of farmland to be acquired for preservation purposes. The formula requires the committee to conduct appraisals, consider values in neighboring areas, assess agricultural importance, evaluate natural resources, and factor in elements like inflation, soil quality, and land size. Landowners would receive multiple value determinations, with the highest value used as the basis for acquisition negotiations. This applies to farmland preservation efforts using state funds, including the Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund. The committee would adopt rules for this formula, which would initially be effective for up to three years before needing formal re-adoption.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey law enforcement officers and recruits (across state, county, and municipal agencies) to complete mandated self-defense training. Recruits must take a 40-hour final course plus 1.5 hours of weekly instruction during basic training, while active officers must complete 48 hours of annual refresher training. The Police Training Commission will administer the courses and receives $250,000 in state funding to establish them, with training time excluded from overtime compensation. The law takes effect seven months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits local government employees in New Jersey (excluding school districts) from receiving terminal leave compensation for accrued administrative leave, vacation, sick leave, or longevity benefits upon retirement. It also bans the use of six or more consecutive sick days within 12 months of retirement eligibility without written medical verification from a physician. Employers must verify medical necessity, may require a physician examination, and can deduct improperly used sick days from retirement compensation calculations. The law applies to counties, municipalities, fire districts, and similar entities that have adopted New Jersey’s civil service rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a program offering financial support to licensed mental health professionals in New Jersey who provide full-time services to children and adolescents. Eligible professionals can receive up to $1,000 annually toward student loan repayment (max 4 years) and a $1,000 annual gross income tax credit for working in qualifying roles. To qualify, applicants must be NJ residents, hold relevant licenses, work full-time serving youth, and have outstanding student loans without default. The program requires annual verification of residency, employment, and loan balance, with penalties for false claims.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits school bus drivers in New Jersey from obtaining or keeping a school bus endorsement if they have accumulated four or more current motor vehicle points from traffic violations (in NJ or other jurisdictions that assess points). It requires a one-year suspension of the endorsement following the last conviction, with automatic notification to the Commissioner of Education and the driver's employer. After the suspension period, drivers must pass both a knowledge and skills test to regain their endorsement. The policy directly affects school bus drivers with recent traffic violations, aiming to improve safety by restricting those with multiple moving violations from operating school buses.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates exceptions for emergency personnel operating personal watercraft (like jet skis) during rescue operations. It waives existing restrictions that normally prohibit such vessels from operating within 100 feet of shorelines, swimming areas, people in the water, or residential properties, or from becoming airborne near other vessels. The exception applies specifically to law enforcement officers, firefighters, beach patrol members, and certified emergency medical personnel while performing official duties. This change allows these responders to use personal watercraft more effectively during water-based emergencies without violating standard safety rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey counties to impose a voter-approved fee specifically to fund local infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and water systems. Counties must first seek voter approval through a referendum requiring over 50% support, with the public question clearly stating the fee amount, duration, and projects. The fee would be collected and managed by the county governing body, with funds strictly limited to infrastructure construction within the county. It directly affects counties, giving them a new tool to address infrastructure needs when state funding is insufficient, but requires direct voter consent for implementation.