Asm. Gerry Scharfenberger

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey school boards to hire eligible veterans as coaches in school sports programs without requiring them to hold a teaching certificate or substitute credential. An "eligible veteran" is defined as a state resident honorably discharged after at least four years of military service. The bill directly affects veterans seeking coaching roles and school districts hiring for those positions, removing a current credential barrier. It does not change requirements for other school staff or student-athletes. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 410) requires the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) and South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) to appear before legislative committees before implementing toll or charge increases - including automatic increases. Authorities must provide detailed explanations of financial justification, public impact, revenue use, and alternatives to avoid hikes. The bill also prohibits NJTA/SJTA from raising tolls or charges by more than 2% over any five-year period. These changes directly affect commuters, businesses, and the public who pay tolls on NJTA/SJTA highways.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a property tax exemption for New Jersey veterans with service-connected disabilities. It provides a proportional exemption based on disability percentage (up to 100%), covering veterans with conditions like paralysis, amputations, or total blindness, and caps partial exemptions at $10,000. Surviving spouses of eligible veterans or those who died in service also qualify for similar exemptions. Crucially, the state will reimburse municipalities 102% of the lost tax revenue from these exemptions to offset costs. The law amends existing veteran property tax protections under P.L.1948, c.259.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school districts to teach water safety as part of the health education curriculum for students in grades K-12, starting with the 2018-2019 school year. It mandates instruction on four specific topics: proper use of flotation devices, awareness of water conditions, dangers of rip currents and how to respond, and the importance of swimming in lifeguard-monitored areas. The law directly affects every student in New Jersey public schools, integrating water safety into existing health education standards. It aims to address drowning as a leading cause of accidental death by providing practical safety knowledge. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding resolution urges New Jersey's Department of Health to create public education materials about xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer increasingly misused as a street drug. It highlights xylazine's dangers - including respiratory depression, skin ulcers, and its inability to be reversed by naloxone (unlike opioids) - and notes its frequent combination with fentanyl and other drugs in overdoses. The resolution specifically requests the health department provide accessible resources to inform residents about these risks. It does not create new laws but calls for public awareness efforts to address this emerging public health concern.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) and South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) to create a toll exemption program for disabled veterans using E-ZPass. It applies to veterans who own or lease a vehicle registered in New Jersey, display a "Disabled Vet" license plate (issued under P.L.1979, c.457), and maintain an active E-ZPass account. Veterans must first obtain the "Disabled Vet" license plate before applying for the toll exemption, and the authorities must approve all qualifying applications. The program exempts eligible disabled veterans from tolls on toll roads managed by NJTA and SJTA.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a loan program administered by New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) to help beginning farmers purchase essential assets. It directly affects new or limited-experience farmers (defined as those with ≤10 years of farming in NJ, low/moderate net worth, or first-time farmers under federal rules) who need capital for agricultural land, farm buildings, or equipment. The program requires applicants to prove farming experience, residency, and plan to use loans solely for farming activities, with NJEDA setting interest rates and eligibility criteria. Loans must finance purchases within New Jersey, and NJEDA may require financial reviews to ensure borrower viability.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides tax credits to New Jersey-based small businesses during their first three years of operation. It directly affects qualifying startups that are registered in New Jersey, maintain most operations within the state, have no more than 50 employees, and earn under $100,000 net income in their first taxable year. The credit reduces the business's gross income tax liability by 75% in year one, 50% in year two, and 25% in year three. Businesses must apply for approval from the state director to claim these credits, ensuring they aren't using the credit to offset taxes from other unrelated businesses.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (AR 39) asks the Office of Attorney Ethics (OAE) to examine and audit legal aid organizations that receive state funding and provide free legal services to low-income residents. It specifically requests the OAE review these organizations' service quality and investigate client complaints about mistreatment, threats, or sexual intimidation by attorneys. The resolution directly affects legal aid groups serving vulnerable populations, as these clients often cannot afford alternative representation. It does not create new laws but urges oversight to ensure adequate and ethical service delivery. The resolution is currently under review by the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes criminal liability for New Jersey law enforcement officers who interact with underage individuals regarding alcohol or cannabis possession, unless the officer intentionally discriminates based on race, gender, religion, or other protected characteristics. Currently, officers face criminal charges for such encounters regardless of intent, but this bill changes that by requiring proof of discriminatory purpose to trigger liability. Key provisions clarify that officers cannot be charged for routine actions like issuing warnings or conducting stops without reasonable suspicion - unless they act with discriminatory intent. The change directly affects officers responding to underage possession calls and the young people involved in these encounters.