Asm. Rob Clifton

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September 11 as "Patriot Day" as an official state holiday in New Jersey. It adds September 11 to the list of paid holidays for state government employees and public holidays for businesses, meaning state offices close and financial transactions due on that day are processed the next business day. The bill amends existing statutes (P.L.2008, c.89 and R.S.36:1-1) to formalize this recognition, following the U.S. Congress's 2001 designation of September 11 as Patriot Day.

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers oversight of on-farm dairy processing inspections from the Department of Health to the New Jersey 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 authorizes the Agriculture Secretary to create implementing rules under existing state law. This change directly affects dairy farmers and processors operating on-farm facilities in New Jersey by shifting their inspection responsibility to a new agency. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits modifying motor vehicle mufflers or exhaust systems to make them louder than the original factory installation. It directly affects vehicle owners and mechanics who install or modify exhaust systems to amplify sound. The key change increases penalties for violations from a $25 fine under current law to a maximum $500 fine or 30 days in jail. The law requires exhaust systems to maintain the noise level of the original equipment, with no exceptions for aftermarket modifications. The bill is pending before the Assembly Transportation Committee and has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryBill A 1082 provides emergency state school aid to specific New Jersey school districts facing closure due to state aid cuts. It directly affects districts located in municipalities listed on historic registers, with only one federally built school building (which would revert to federal control if closed), high student achievement, and financial risk from reduced state funding. The bill requires districts to apply annually, and the Commissioner of Education must provide aid equal to the exact amount of state aid reduction threatening the school's operation. This aid aims to prevent closure, protecting both students and the community's historic legacy. The program covers the 2019-2020 through 2024-2025 school years.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 619) creates a new criminal offense for "doxxing," defined as knowingly sharing someone's personal details (like address or phone number) online without consent to cause fear of harm, violence, or stalking. It specifically targets disclosures that create a serious risk of bodily injury, stalking, or severe emotional distress (mental anguish) to the person or their close relations - such as family, household members, or close associates. Exceptions apply for good-faith disclosures to the public about suspected unlawful conduct, to law enforcement, or during official investigations. Violations are a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fine), escalating to a third-degree crime if serious harm occurs.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 32) creates a temporary, bipartisan committee to study New Jersey's historical claims to Staten Island. The 12-member committee - six appointed by the Assembly Speaker and six by the Minority Leader - will investigate colonial land grants, the 1834 boundary compact, and relevant legal history to explore potential annexation pathways. It will examine lawful options for New Jersey to pursue annexation, but only with consent from Staten Island residents, New York State, and the U.S. Congress. The committee will produce a final report and expire upon completion of its work. This is purely an investigative measure with no immediate policy impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2850) requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to restart the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation program using leftover funds, to help homeowners still needing financial assistance after Superstorm Sandy. It directly affects Sandy-impacted homeowners who have unmet recovery and rebuilding needs, as defined by prior law. The key mechanism is the DCA accepting new grant applications to provide funding for these unmet needs, using only uncommitted state appropriations. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) rules to allow temporary state employees at psychiatric hospitals or correctional facilities to qualify for accidental disability benefits. It specifically covers injuries sustained after January 2003 while working temporarily at these facilities (before becoming a PERS member), making such injuries eligible for PERS benefits once the employee gains membership. The key change deems these pre-membership injuries as occurring "during membership" if the employee joins PERS without interruption in the same job. This expands eligibility beyond current rules, which only provided workers' compensation for such injuries before PERS membership.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits annual tuition and fee increases for in-state undergraduate and graduate students at New Jersey's public colleges and universities to no more than 4% above the previous academic year's rates. It directly affects all resident students enrolled in public higher education institutions across the state. The key provision requires public institutions to cap all resident tuition and fees (including professional programs like law, medicine, and business) at a 4% maximum annual increase. The policy applies starting with the 2017-2018 academic year and remains in effect for all subsequent years.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey law enforcement agencies - including municipal, county, and state police departments, as well as educational institutions with campus police - to adopt written policies for cooperating with federal immigration authorities upon request. It defines "law enforcement officer" broadly to include those with arrest powers under state law. The bill also mandates that the state defend officers in civil lawsuits arising from cooperation (unless misconduct occurred) and cover settlement costs for officers following the policy. This directly affects thousands of officers across New Jersey’s 566 municipalities and educational institutions with police forces. The policy change would standardize cooperation with federal immigration enforcement at the local level.