Asm. Gerry Scharfenberger

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop a plan for two artificial reefs within state waters (within three nautical miles of the coast) within one year of enactment. The plan must consider fishing history and both commercial/recreational uses of the sites, while the DEP will also establish rules governing the number of fish and lobster pots allowed on these reefs. Currently, 17 artificial reefs exist off New Jersey's coast - only the two within state waters are directly affected by this bill, though the DEP may seek to extend similar management to 15 federal reef sites via the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. The law focuses on creating clear usage rules for existing reefs to balance fishing activities with conservation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies to give priority processing to permit or approval applications submitted by counties or municipalities that have formal agreements for 10 or more shared services (like joint police or waste management programs). It directly affects local governments that meet the 10-shared-services threshold under the Uniform Shared Services Act. The bill mandates the Department of Community Affairs to maintain and publicly post an updated list of qualifying local governments on its website, so state agencies can easily identify eligible applicants. This creates a clear, administrative process for faster review of applications from participating local entities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 806) corrects a misstated title: it does **not** require commercial driver license applicants to complete human trafficking training. Instead, it mandates one-time training for specific groups on handling suspected human trafficking: 1) **Hotel/motel staff** (required for license renewals under the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law), 2) **Healthcare facility employees** (required for facility licensing under P.L.1971, c.136), and 3) **Judges/judicial personnel** (to be included in annual training programs). Verifiable training completion becomes a condition for maintaining licenses, permits, or facility approvals. The training must be reviewed every two years and updated as needed.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes it a crime to intentionally tamper with cameras or monitoring devices installed on school buses. It specifically prohibits altering, destroying, concealing, removing, or disabling these devices - including the recording media they use. Violating this law would be a fourth-degree crime, punishable by up to 18 months in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. The bill directly affects anyone who interferes with these safety devices, which are used to monitor bus operations and passenger safety. The legislation is currently pending before the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (AR 28) passed by the New Jersey Assembly, not a binding law. It urges the federal government to approve construction of oil and natural gas pipelines within the U.S., specifically referencing pipelines that were previously shut down or denied approval (like the Keystone XL Pipeline). The resolution states it seeks to advance U.S. energy independence, lower fuel costs, and reduce reliance on foreign energy sources from regions like Russia and Venezuela. It has no legal effect and does not change any existing pipeline approvals or regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $5,000 annual gross income tax deduction for New Jersey taxpayers who pay tolls for commuting by car to work within New Jersey or a neighboring state. It specifically covers toll payments for daily commutes but excludes fines, administrative fees, employer reimbursements, and expenses already deductible under federal or state business rules. The deduction applies in addition to existing tax breaks like the $1,000 personal exemption. It would take effect for taxable years starting after the law's enactment date.

Maddy summaryThis bill streamlines EMT-Basic certification in New Jersey for veterans who served as Combat Army Medics or Navy Hospital Corpsmen (or equivalent roles). It allows eligible veterans to bypass standard training requirements if they hold a current National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification, have served in those specific military roles, and pass a background check. The bill also requires the Department of Health to publish clear online guidance about these streamlined requirements. This directly affects honorably discharged veterans with qualifying military medical experience seeking EMT certification.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey electric utilities to reimburse customers for the full cost of replacing customer-owned electrical equipment (like weatherheads, meter bases, and service lines outside homes) if weather-related damage causes failure, provided the utility caused the damage and the customer wasn't at fault. It applies to equipment used to deliver power to a building, excluding interior wiring. The Board of Public Utilities must create rules to implement this, including investigating fault after weather events that cause sustained power outages (over 12 hours). Utilities would cover replacement costs for damage from events like storms, floods, or power surges from downed lines, but only if the customer didn't cause the issue.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to establish an emergency hotline specifically for veterans living in state-operated veterans memorial homes (including Menlo Park, Vineland, and Paramus locations). It amends existing law (N.J.S.38A:3-6) to mandate this hotline as a direct service for veterans residing in these facilities. The key mechanism is the DMVA's obligation to create and maintain this dedicated emergency contact line. The bill directly affects veterans living in New Jersey's veterans memorial homes by providing immediate access to emergency support. It is a procedural measure focused on improving emergency response capabilities for this specific population.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's human trafficking law to include individuals who profit financially from trafficking schemes, even if they aren't organizers, supervisors, financiers, or managers. It directly affects people who receive money or other benefits from trafficking activities, such as business owners who exploit victims or third parties facilitating exploitation. The key change adds a new subsection defining human trafficking to cover "receiving anything of value" from trafficking, while maintaining a 20-year minimum prison term and requiring restitution to victims based on their labor value. This makes it a crime to profit from trafficking without needing to prove a formal leadership role in the scheme.