Asm. Gerry Scharfenberger

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 29) is a symbolic statement urging the U.S. President to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) and stop funding it. It directly addresses the President, citing concerns about the WHO's pandemic response - including delayed actions, inconsistent guidance on masks, and perceived deference to China during the COVID-19 crisis - as reasons for withdrawal. The resolution does not create new law or change policy but expresses the New Jersey General Assembly’s position that the WHO’s failures and broad authority warrant U.S. disengagement. It is a non-binding request, not a legislative mandate.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for carjacking and theft of vehicles by deception targeting minors. It adds a $10,000 fine (plus vehicle value over $5,000 if unrecovered) for carjacking convictions and automatically subjects perpetrators of vehicle theft by deception against minors to child endangerment penalties. The bill establishes a rebuttable presumption requiring pretrial detention for these offenses - meaning defendants must be held in custody before trial unless they prove otherwise - unless they can show conditions would ensure court appearance and public safety. This applies specifically to carjacking under N.J.S.2C:15-2 and theft by deception against minors under N.J.S.2C:20-4.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for assault and harassment against sports officials and participants in school or community-sponsored youth sports events. It defines "sports official" broadly to include referees, umpires, coaches, athletic trainers, and others performing duties for these events. Simple assault against these individuals becomes a fourth-degree crime with mandatory fines ($1,000-$10,000), exclusion from youth sports for 1-4 years, and 20+ hours of anger management training. If the victim is under 18, penalties increase to a third-degree crime with higher fines ($2,500-$15,000), longer exclusion (2-5 years), and 50+ hours of anger management training. Harassment against sports officials is also upgraded from a petty disorderly persons offense to a fourth-degree crime.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary five-year teaching certification for New Jersey veterans enrolled in educator preparation programs at accredited colleges. To qualify, veterans must have completed at least four years of honorable military service, earned 60 college credits, and passed required subject exams. The certification allows school districts to hire these veterans full- or part-time while they complete their certification, and their teaching experience counts toward their program's clinical requirements. The program applies to veterans with military service who are pursuing teaching careers in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's unemployment insurance law to require individuals who fraudulently obtained benefits to repay those funds in full before receiving any future benefits. It increases fines for fraudulently obtaining benefits to $250 per offense or 50% of the amount obtained (whichever is greater), up from the previous 25% rate. The bill also raises penalties for employers who fraudulently prevent or reduce payments to employees or under-report contributions to 50% of the amount withheld or under-reported. These changes strengthen enforcement against unemployment insurance fraud and ensure proper repayment of improperly obtained benefits. The bill creates an investigative staff within the Division of Unemployment and Temporary Disability Insurance to enforce these provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2742) requires 7% of funds from New Jersey's Main Street Recovery Fund to be allocated as grants specifically for veteran-owned small businesses. It directly affects eligible veteran-owned businesses that meet tax clearance, minimum wage, and other application requirements. The key provision mandates that the New Jersey Economic Development Authority reserve this 7% allocation for businesses owned by veterans or service-disabled veterans (as defined in federal law), while maintaining existing eligibility rules for all grant recipients. The bill does not create new funding but redirects existing resources toward this specific group.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the Governor's authority to declare states of emergency or public health emergencies in New Jersey. It requires state of emergency declarations to automatically end after 60 days unless the Legislature approves an extension with a majority vote (and future extensions require a similar majority). Public health emergency declarations are capped at 60 days total (initial 30 days plus one 30-day renewal by the Governor). The bill also mandates the Governor notify the Legislature 7 business days before seeking an extension, and gives the Legislature the power to terminate any emergency declaration with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. Existing emergency declarations related to the pandemic or other ongoing emergencies will automatically terminate on the bill's effective date unless the Legislature immediately authorizes an extension.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1562) requires the Universal Service Fund to allocate funding for training emergency medical technicians and firefighters on responding to electric vehicle fires. The bill amends New Jersey's electrical utility regulations to include funding for annual training programs specifically addressing the unique risks of lithium-ion battery fires, which burn hotter and longer than traditional vehicle fires. The training would be developed by the Commissioner of Health in consultation with the Division of Fire Safety and approved by the Board of Public Utilities. This funding would support emergency responders across New Jersey who handle incidents involving electric vehicles as their use increases on state roads.

Maddy summaryACR 72 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring New Jersey to create a $200 property tax credit for the primary residence of volunteer firefighters and first aid squad members. This credit would apply to residents who are active members of qualifying volunteer fire companies, first aid/rescue squads, or part-paid fire departments incorporated under New Jersey law. The amendment mandates that the state, not municipalities, would reimburse local governments for the full cost of these credits. If approved by voters, this would become a constitutional requirement for the Legislature to enact the credit.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1507) prohibits most entities - including state/local governments, schools, childcare centers, and colleges - from requiring COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of attendance or services. It exempts healthcare workers at licensed facilities who must vaccinate to work with vulnerable patients, aligning with existing healthcare worker vaccine requirements. The bill also creates a reimbursement program through the New Jersey Department of Health to cover out-of-pocket costs for healthcare workers who pay for the vaccine themselves when insurance doesn’t cover it, require employer reimbursement, or face undue financial burden. To qualify, workers must certify specific eligibility conditions, and false claims carry penalties including repayment and fines up to $1,000.