Asm. Gerry Scharfenberger

Maddy summaryThis bill requires non-profit organizations training disabled veteran assistance dogs to register annually with New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs. It mandates these organizations to provide handlers (disabled veterans) with a vest or harness labeled "DISABLED VETERAN ASSISTANCE DOG" (or "DVAD") and an ID card listing the handler's name, dog's details, and the training organization. Organizations must meet registration requirements set by the Division, including potential accreditation standards and a reasonable fee. Violating these rules is considered a consumer fraud violation under New Jersey law.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new exemption from jury service for individuals with qualifying developmental disabilities. It requires the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to develop and maintain a list of eligible people, define "developmental disability" (including conditions like autism or cerebral palsy that manifest before age 22 and cause significant life activity limitations), and create an online application form. To qualify, applicants must submit medical verification of their disability and other required information for AOC review. People approved for this exemption will be indefinitely excused from jury duty summons.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Honoring and Listening to Our First Responders Act" (HALO Act), creates a new misdemeanor offense for intentionally approaching within 25 feet of a first responder who has instructed you to maintain distance, with the purpose of obstructing their duties or threatening/intimidating them. It directly affects law enforcement officers, paid or volunteer firefighters, and emergency medical personnel (including ambulance/rescue squad members) by protecting their ability to perform official duties without interference. The key provision makes it punishable by up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both for violating this distance rule. The law does not prevent prosecution under other existing laws for the same conduct.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A1841, the "Small Modular Nuclear Energy Incentive Act," creates a competitive bidding program to incentivize the construction of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) by offering payments per megawatt-hour of electricity produced. The Board of Public Utilities will administer this program, prioritizing projects at sites of retired nuclear, coal, or natural gas plants and including retraining for former plant workers. Eligible projects must interconnect to New Jersey's grid, with bids evaluated on price and site preference, aiming to support reliable, low-emission power generation while replacing fossil fuel infrastructure. The bill directly affects nuclear developers, utilities, and workers transitioning from retiring power plants.

Maddy summaryACR 76 proposes a constitutional amendment to extend New Jersey's veterans' property tax deduction to surviving spouses of veterans who were not residents of New Jersey at the time of the veteran's death, but had previously been residents before and after their military service. Currently, the deduction applies only to surviving spouses of veterans who were residents at death; this bill would allow the Legislature to provide the deduction to spouses of veterans who met the residency requirement prior to service or after discharge. If passed, it would change the state constitution to permit this extension, requiring voter approval after legislative passage. The policy change would directly affect surviving spouses of veterans who served but lived outside New Jersey at death, while maintaining existing eligibility rules for veterans who died as residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $2 million grant program to provide mental health services to New Jersey veterans. It directs the state's Adjutant General to fund qualified veterans organizations (like 501(c)(3) groups or federally chartered veterans service organizations, including specific New Jersey groups) to contract with licensed mental health professionals. The program aims to expand access to mental health care for veterans through these designated community partners. The $2 million appropriation comes directly from the state General Fund and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises how New Jersey allocates state funds for public highway projects to municipalities and counties. It establishes a new formula based on factors like county population, municipal road mileage, evacuation routes, and flood plain locations to determine funding distribution. The bill specifies that 37.5% of annual highway funds must go to municipalities under this formula, with additional fixed amounts set aside for specific programs (like the Local Aid Infrastructure Fund, Local Freight Impact Fund, and Local Bridges Fund). The formula also requires prioritizing projects based on traffic volume, safety, and whether they address hazardous conditions for school routes or pedestrian safety. This directly affects all New Jersey municipalities and counties managing public road infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey municipalities to use school bus video footage to enforce laws against drivers illegally passing stopped school buses. It requires law enforcement to review footage within 90 days to issue fines ($100 for first offense, $250 for repeat offenses) when violations are confirmed, with footage purged after 60 days or 3 days if no ticket is issued. The bill clarifies that vehicle owners and operators are jointly liable for fines unless the owner proves unauthorized use, with special rules for leased vehicles. It also prohibits adding points to driver's licenses for these violations and restricts footage use to enforcement purposes only, not public disclosure.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands free admission to New Jersey state parks, forests, and beaches for veterans and military personnel. It directly affects: (1) all New Jersey resident veterans (previously covered under existing law), (2) active-duty service members stationed in New Jersey regardless of residency, and (3) Gold Star Family members holding designated IDs. Key provisions remove residency requirements for active military personnel and clarify qualifying documentation. The bill updates existing rules that already provided free access to National Guard members after training, disabled seniors, and some veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires county election boards to have bipartisan representation (with members from both major political parties) when opening, handling, and canvassing mail-in ballots. It mandates secure storage for all mail-in ballots and increases penalties for crimes involving ballot tampering, unauthorized access to ballot storage areas, or interference with election processes. The bill also requires election officials to send "cure letters" to voters whose ballots are rejected due to signature issues, explaining the reason and providing a simple form to correct the issue. These changes directly affect county election boards, election officials, and voters participating in mail-in voting. The bill aims to enhance transparency and security in mail-in ballot processing.