Asm. Gerry Scharfenberger

Maddy summaryThis bill designates November of each year as New Jersey Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month to highlight the challenges faced by young people experiencing homelessness. The resolution authorizes the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the month with relevant programs and activities. While the bill does not change laws or allocate funding, it aims to increase public awareness and support for efforts to help children and youth overcome homelessness.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution commemorates the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The bill asks the Governor to issue a proclamation honoring the victims, first responders, and the resilience of the American people. It also directs that copies of the resolution be sent to federal leaders and members of Congress from New Jersey. The measure serves as a formal state recognition of the event and does not create new laws or change existing policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the "Right to Know Act," mandates that the New Jersey State Police create a public database listing undocumented immigrants who have been criminally charged or convicted. The list would specifically include individuals currently held in state, county, or municipal correctional facilities who lack valid legal documentation to be in the United States. For each person included, the database would display their photograph, the specific crime they are charged with or convicted of, and the location and date of their release from custody. The legislation requires the State Police to maintain this publicly accessible list immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution asks the federal government to create a permanent waiver program that allows states to let WIC participants buy different brands and types of infant formula during public emergencies. The bill directly affects low-income families in New Jersey who rely on the WIC program to feed infants, children, and pregnant or postpartum individuals. It seeks to ensure that state agencies can quickly authorize the purchase of alternative formulas when supply shortages occur, rather than being restricted to specific brands under normal conditions. The measure does not change existing laws but instead urges the USDA to establish a flexible system that can be activated whenever a crisis disrupts the availability of standard infant formula.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Municipal Community Center Grant Program within New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs to provide funding for municipalities to build new community centers. The program prioritizes grants for towns that currently lack these facilities or have too few relative to their population, with funds restricted strictly to construction projects. To support the initiative, the Department of Community Affairs must annually request a minimum of $10 million in state funding while also seeking additional resources from federal, local, and private sources. The Division of Housing and Community Resources will administer the program, handling application procedures, setting award criteria, and monitoring how the money is used.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts certain institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes in New Jersey that are listed for sale on the market. It defines "institutional investors" as large corporations, partnerships, or trusts, while explicitly exempting small investors who own 20 or fewer homes, family trusts, and nonprofits focused on affordable housing. The law aims to prevent large investment firms from buying up residential properties, thereby keeping homes available for individual buyers and local families.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the South Jersey Transportation Authority to offer a 50 percent toll discount to eligible veterans using electronic toll collection systems. To qualify, a veteran must own or lease a New Jersey-registered vehicle linked to an active toll account and provide proof of honorable or general honorable discharge from the military or National Guard. The authorities must approve applications based on standard military separation documents or official veteran identification cards, and the discount applies to all tolls collected at any time.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends foreclosure protections for homeowners in New Jersey who were affected by the remnants of Hurricane Ida. It allows eligible homeowners to apply for a forbearance, which pauses mortgage payments, by submitting an application to the Department of Community Affairs. To qualify, applicants must prove they are storm-impacted homeowners with a mortgage on their primary residence and provide specific documentation. If approved, the forbearance period lasts for two years, giving borrowers time to recover financially without facing immediate foreclosure actions.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A3256) requires restaurants to clearly disclose any mandatory gratuity fee to customers. It mandates that the fee be visible on menus, at the restaurant entrance, on the customer's bill, and on the restaurant's website. Restaurants that fail to disclose the fee face fines of $1,000 for the first violation, $2,500 for the second, and $5,000 for the third or subsequent offenses, with each day of violation counted separately. The law directly affects restaurants operating in New Jersey and ensures customers are informed about mandatory service charges before paying.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Governor to include a detailed annual report in the budget message about revenues and spending from the "societal benefits charge" on utility bills. The report must show, for each of the past five fiscal years and the current year, how much was collected from electricity and gas customers, and how those funds were spent - specifically for energy efficiency programs, low-income energy assistance, plug-in electric vehicle incentives, and other approved initiatives. It also mandates itemized breakdowns of funds allocated by each utility company. The goal is to increase transparency about how this charge, embedded in customer bills, finances state energy and assistance programs.