Asm. Rob Clifton

Maddy summaryThis bill (A800) changes how New Jersey compensates beachfront property owners when the government takes land for dune construction or beach replenishment projects. It requires compensation to include the increased property value from added safety and protection provided by the dunes or replenished beach, not just the value lost from the taken portion. The bill also states that public access rights arising from these projects cannot be used to reduce the property's overall compensation value. It directly affects coastal property owners in New Jersey whose land is condemned for these specific public safety projects. The law applies immediately to all pending cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill would extend New Jersey's property tax benefits for veterans with 100% service-connected disabilities, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities to those who pay "payments in lieu of property taxes" instead of direct property taxes. Currently, these tax benefits apply only to residents who pay direct property taxes, but this bill would extend them to people living in properties covered by the "Long Term Tax Exemption Law" (P.L.1991, c.431). The bill amends several sections of state law to make this change, but it would not take effect until New Jersey voters approve a constitutional amendment authorizing these benefits. This change would affect veterans, seniors, and disabled residents living in properties where alternative tax payments are required under municipal contracts.

Maddy summaryACR 102 is a non-binding resolution urging New Jersey's Department of Education to impose a two-year moratorium on developing or implementing new Student Learning Standards. It requests this pause due to recent adoption of standards in 2020, parent concerns about current standards, and pandemic-related learning loss. The resolution does not change existing standards but asks the Department to halt new standards development while the Legislature considers related bills addressing learning loss. This affects the Department's curriculum planning process during the moratorium period.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends New Jersey's ANCHOR Property Tax Relief Program to include homeowners and renters who pay "in lieu of property taxes" to their municipality, a group previously excluded. It modifies the FY2024 appropriations act to explicitly allow these individuals to qualify for tax relief based on their 2020 income and property tax amounts, without changing existing income thresholds or benefit caps. Eligible residents - such as those with 2020 income under $150,000 (receiving up to $1,500) or $150,000-$250,000 (receiving up to $1,000) - will now receive refunds retroactive to July 1, 2023. The change applies to both owner-occupied homes and rental units meeting the program's criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A398) makes knowingly making a false report of child abuse or neglect a crime of the third degree in New Jersey. It directly affects individuals who file false reports under state law, subjecting them to potential penalties including up to 5 years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both. The bill also adds a civil penalty of up to $10,000 payable to the state treasury for the Department of Children and Families. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryAssembly Resolution 34 urges New Jersey Transit (NJT) to provide public locations with internet access where commuters can telecommute during service disruptions caused by repairs at Penn Station and construction of a new trans-Hudson rail tunnel. It directly affects NJT rail passengers facing extended delays due to ongoing infrastructure work, including repairs from recent derailments and the Gateway Program tunnel project. The resolution requests NJT establish accessible telecommuting spaces as an alternative to in-person work during these disruptions. As a non-binding resolution, it does not mandate action but formally requests NJT consider this support measure for commuters.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides additional state funding from the Property Tax Relief Fund to the Department of Education to ensure certain New Jersey school districts receive at least the same total state aid in the 2021-2022 school year as they did in 2017-2018. It directly affects four named districts (Old Bridge, Freehold, Manalapan-Englishtown, Millstone) and over 100 other districts meeting specific criteria, such as having below-average property valuation or income per pupil. The key mechanism requires the state to supplement aid for qualifying districts to match their 2017-2018 funding level. The bill takes effect immediately but depends on the 2022 budget being enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill caps annual tuition and fee increases for resident undergraduate and graduate students at New Jersey public colleges and universities at 4% or less compared to the previous academic year. It directly affects public higher education institutions and all students enrolled in degree programs, including graduate programs like law, medicine, business, and nursing. The key provision requires institutions to limit tuition and fee hikes to 4% annually, overriding any existing rules that might permit higher increases. The bill takes immediate effect and applies to all public institutions for the 2024-2025 academic year and beyond.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 28) urges the federal government to approve oil and natural gas pipelines within the U.S., including those previously denied or shut down (like the Keystone XL Pipeline, revoked by President Biden in 2021). It argues that approving such pipelines would enhance U.S. energy independence, reduce reliance on foreign energy sources (e.g., from Russia or Venezuela), and lower fuel costs while creating jobs. The resolution directs copies to federal leaders but does not create new law or directly affect residents. It focuses on advocating for pipeline approvals as a policy action, not on implementing specific regulations.

Maddy summaryACR 33 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing New Jersey municipalities to offer a partial property tax exemption on the primary residence of volunteer firefighters and first responders. The exemption would cover up to 10% of a home's assessed value, with each municipality setting the exact percentage through local ordinance. To qualify, the volunteer must be actively serving in a local fire company or first aid/rescue squad that serves the municipality and live in the home as their primary residence. The state would not provide reimbursement to municipalities for any lost tax revenue from this exemption.