Asm. Gerry Scharfenberger

Maddy summaryThis bill makes permanent an additional $250 property tax benefit for senior citizens under New Jersey's ANCHOR Property Tax Relief Program. The change directly affects homeowners and tenants aged 65 or older who meet specific income limits, with a cap of $250,000 for homeowners and $150,000 for renters. By amending existing state law, the legislation ensures these seniors receive the extra relief annually rather than limiting it to fiscal years 2024 through 2026. The benefit is paid alongside other ANCHOR assistance and requires no new application process for eligible recipients.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a dedicated fund to receive money from a national opioid lawsuit settlement and directs up to $5 million annually to the Division of State Police for opioid-related initiatives. The legislation designates the Department of Human Services as the lead agency responsible for managing the settlement funds, overseeing how money is distributed to counties and municipalities, and ensuring compliance with legal agreements. Additionally, the bill creates a mechanism for the fund to cover legal fees and costs associated with the national opioid litigation resolution.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires chatbots powered by generative artificial intelligence to clearly disclose when they are providing election-related information or candidate details to voters. The law applies to any AI system that generates text, audio, video, or print content about topics such as voter eligibility, polling locations, ballot procedures, or candidate qualifications. Operators of these chatbots must include a permanent or difficult-to-remove disclosure before presenting any content, and failure to comply could result in fines of up to $6,000 for the first violation and $12,000 for subsequent offenses.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Veterans Bill of Rights in New Jersey to inform and guide the Department of Veterans Affairs in serving state residents who have served in the military. It requires the department to distribute physical and digital copies of the rights document to veterans and maintain these materials on its website and in all facilities. The act outlines specific entitlements, including fair treatment, access to healthcare and mental health services, privacy protections, and assistance with employment, housing, and benefits claims.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill mandates that all battlefield cross memorials within the state must include replicas of a vertical rifle, helmet, boots, and dog tags. The law applies to both existing monuments and any new ones erected after the bill takes effect, aiming to standardize these symbols of honor for fallen soldiers. Additionally, the legislation authorizes state veterans' agencies to seek external funding to help install these specific components on the memorials. By updating the design requirements, the bill seeks to align current memorials with the modern configuration that has been used since the Gulf War.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution expresses support for a federal bill called the BRAVE Act of 2025, which aims to improve mental health services for veterans. The resolution highlights that military service can lead to mental health challenges and notes that about 31 percent of veterans receiving VA care in 2023 had a confirmed mental health diagnosis. By passing this resolution, the state legislature is formally encouraging Congress to enact the federal legislation, which would address VA mental health care, support women veterans, and extend a suicide prevention grant program to community organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows businesses in New Jersey to receive tax credits if they hire adults who have been released from incarceration for nonviolent crimes. The credits apply to both corporation business taxes and gross income taxes, offering a benefit equal to 15 percent of wages paid to each eligible employee, up to a maximum of $900 per person. To qualify, the offenders must not have committed violent acts or specific serious offenses, and the tax savings are limited to 50 percent of the total tax owed for the year. Any unused portion of the credit can be carried forward for up to seven years, and the law applies to wages paid after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new independent commission called the Commission on the Fiscal Integrity for Future Attractions to oversee agreements involving major events or attractions in New Jersey. The commission, which includes top state leaders like the Governor and legislative chairs, must review and approve any contracts where the state commits public resources such as transportation, security, or park facilities. Its decisions require a majority vote, and any agreements made without this approval are considered invalid. The commission will operate with public meetings and online access to its records, while being staffed by the Office of Legislative Services.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly resolution urges the U.S. Congress to pass the "Improving Menopause Care for Veterans Act of 2025," which would address healthcare needs for women veterans experiencing menopause symptoms. The proposed federal law would require the Government Accountability Office to study current Veterans Affairs medical services for this demographic and mandate improvements to access and quality of care. The bill specifically targets the approximately 630,000 women veterans aged 40 to 54 who may face compounded health challenges due to military service and hormonal changes. As a formal request rather than binding legislation, the resolution directs copies to federal leaders and the VA Secretary to advocate for these policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to reimburse volunteer firefighters for periodic cancer screenings that are not covered by their personal health insurance. Starting five years after beginning service, eligible firefighters can receive up to $1,250 every three years for exams covering various cancers, with the amount adjusted annually for inflation. The law ensures there are no out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles or copayments, and treats volunteer firefighting as an occupational condition for reimbursement purposes. Funding for these payments will come from the state's general fund, and firefighters must provide appropriate records to claim the benefits.