Asm. Gerry Scharfenberger

Maddy summaryBill A 860 temporarily lowers New Jersey's corporate tax rate from 9% to 7.5% for five tax years (starting in 2027) and repeals the separate 2.5% corporation business surtax. It directly affects most corporations and partnerships with annual net income under $100,000, reducing their tax burden by eliminating the surtax and lowering the base rate. The bill applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2027, through 2031, and is pending before the Assembly Commerce Committee. This is a concrete tax rate change, not a procedural measure, affecting business tax obligations.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A-1277 creates a new misdemeanor (disorderly persons offense) for individuals who wear masks to conceal their identity while committing another crime or offense in a public gathering of masked people. It directly affects people committing crimes while masked in group settings, but excludes Halloween activities, religious or historical events, weather protection, religious head coverings, and medical masks. The law requires the person to also be charged with the underlying crime and prohibits combining this charge with other offenses to reduce sentencing. Violations carry up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special "Support Our Veterans" license plate in New Jersey, available to vehicle owners who pay a $50 application fee plus a $10 annual fee. The collected fees fund a dedicated "Support Our Veterans License Plate Fund," which annually supports the Veterans Haven Council's services for homeless veterans housed at Veterans Haven facilities. The fund, managed within the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, covers costs for veterans' housing and support programs. The plate design will be chosen with input from the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, and initial costs are offset by donations from the Veterans Haven Council and other donors, not public funds.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for smoking cannabis or marijuana on New Jersey public beaches. For first offenses, fines jump from $250 to $500; second offenses from $500 to $1,000; and subsequent offenses from $1,000 to $1,500. The bill specifies that cigarette smoking penalties remain unchanged. Fines collected will be split equally: 50% funding state smoking cessation programs and 50% going to the local municipality where the violation occurred. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey municipalities to offer taxpayers and permit applicants the option to receive property tax bills, construction permits, and payment receipts via email, rather than by mail. Municipalities must adopt a local ordinance to implement this option but cannot require residents to use email - paper copies must remain available at no extra cost. It specifically covers property tax notices under state law, construction permits issued under the State Uniform Construction Code, and receipts for municipal fees. The bill ensures no one is forced to use electronic delivery and maintains the current paper-based system as the default.

Maddy summaryAJR 16 designates March 16 as "Paws Healing Heroes Day" in New Jersey to recognize service dogs' role in assisting veterans with conditions like PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), military sexual trauma, and seizure disorders. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to promote public awareness, highlighting that service dog training costs $3,000-$5,000 (not covered by veterans' benefits) and relies on nonprofit organizations like Paws Healing Heroes. This ceremonial resolution does not create new funding or legal requirements but aims to honor the support service dogs provide to veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1885) clarifies and expands firearm carry permissions for municipal arson investigators under New Jersey law. It adds a specific requirement that fire department members assigned to arson investigation units must complete approved police academy training, firearms certification, and annual qualification before being authorized to carry weapons. These investigators can carry firearms while actively working on arson cases or on call, with approval from their local government or county prosecutor. The change formalizes existing practice for these specialized personnel, ensuring they meet standardized training and safety protocols. The bill does not create new investigative powers but updates firearm-related exemptions in state law.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 547) requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to identify reservoirs with a history of causing downstream flooding and study their capacity and water needs. The DEP must then set maximum water levels for these reservoirs to balance flood prevention with water supply, and require owners to create approved flood action plans - including flood gates - for reservoirs linked to past flooding. The Office of Emergency Management can order reservoir levels lowered during severe weather to prevent flooding, after consulting with the DEP. Reservoir owners who follow approved plans and comply with emergency orders are protected from related lawsuits. The bill directly affects DEP, reservoir owners, and communities downstream of affected reservoirs.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that veterans seeking civil service preference in New Jersey must submit proof of their veteran status to the state veterans agency no later than eight days before an employment list is issued. It specifies that veterans must provide documented evidence of their service eligibility under either federal or New Jersey's existing definitions. The bill does not change who qualifies as a veteran but adds a procedural requirement for verifying status when applying for state civil service jobs. This affects veterans applying for state government positions who wish to claim preference under current law. The change aims to streamline the verification process for civil service hiring.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides workers' compensation benefits for New Jersey public safety workers (like firefighters, police, and emergency responders) who developed illnesses or injuries from exposure during the September 11, 2001 attacks, if they are enrolled in the federal World Trade Center Health Program. It creates a legal presumption that such conditions are compensable under state law, removing standard time limits for filing claims - requiring claims to be filed within two years of the bill's effective date or when the disability was known, whichever is later. If workers previously received federal or state benefits for 9/11-related conditions, those payments are credited against future state compensation to avoid duplicate payments. The bill also requires state agencies and employers to notify affected workers about these benefits through official channels.