Asm. Vicky Flynn

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's human trafficking law to include individuals who financially benefit from trafficking operations, regardless of whether they are organizers, supervisors, or managers. It expands the statute so that receiving any financial gain - such as from exploiting victims in sex or labor trafficking - now constitutes the crime. The law applies to all financial beneficiaries, closing a gap that previously allowed some profiteers to avoid prosecution. This change updates the statute to hold all participants who profit from trafficking accountable under criminal law.

Maddy summaryACR 177 is a concurrent resolution declaring proposed Department of Labor rules about worker classification inconsistent with New Jersey's original law. It specifically challenges rules that would reinterpret the ABC test (a three-part standard for determining if a worker is an independent contractor) to make it harder for drivers (like those for ride-hailing services) and other workers to qualify as independent contractors. The resolution argues the proposed rules wrongly treat standard business practices (such as requiring digital apps or liability insurance) as evidence of employer control, and would eliminate legal avenues for independent work under current law. This resolution seeks to block the Department of Labor from adopting these rules, as they conflict with the Legislature's original intent.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a proportional property tax exemption for New Jersey veterans who are honorably discharged and have a service-connected permanent disability rated at 10% or higher. It directly affects qualifying veterans (and their surviving spouses) by reducing their property taxes in line with their disability rating, with a $10,000 cap for exemptions below 100% disability. Veterans deemed unemployable due to service-connected disability receive a full 100% exemption, matching current benefits for those with 100% disability ratings. The bill also requires the state to reimburse municipalities 102% of the tax costs for these exemptions, including administrative expenses, through annual reporting by local tax authorities.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a three-year pilot program in New Jersey public elementary schools to assess the academic and health benefits of using therapy dogs in wellness programs. It requires the state Department of Education (DOE) to select six school districts (two per geographic region) that apply with details about their schools, student wellness participation, and therapy dog plans. The DOE will provide participating districts with guidance on therapy dog activities, handler training, dog health checks, and insurance requirements. After three years, the DOE must submit a report evaluating whether the program improved student attendance, confidence, and academic outcomes like reading skills. The pilot directly affects public elementary schools that apply and participate.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey state agencies, local governments, and educational institutions from entering into contracts or providing benefits to entities engaged in specified activities related to Nigeria. It requires the Department of the Treasury to create and maintain a list of entities meeting four criteria: having Nigerian government equity, conducting business with Nigeria, being headquartered in Nigeria, or supporting groups that persecute Christians. Entities must certify they're not on the list before receiving government contracts or benefits, with false certifications resulting in $1 million penalties or three-year ineligibility. The bill also prohibits state pension funds from investing in such entities and bans state agencies from banking with or holding investments in financial institutions tied to Nigeria.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A6025 creates a refundable gross income tax credit for caregivers who pay for care and support expenses for a qualifying relative or individual with disabilities. It allows eligible caregivers to claim up to $2,500 annually for qualified expenses like medical equipment, home modifications, adult day care, or respite care, provided the care recipient is a relative who is 65+ or 50+ with Social Security Disability Insurance and meets income limits. To claim the credit, caregivers must submit documentation proving the care recipient co-resides with them or they provided at least 120 hours of annual care, and the credit can be used alongside a dependent deduction. The credit is refundable, meaning caregivers with no tax liability can receive the full credit amount as a refund.

Maddy summaryThis bill would change New Jersey's income tax system to a flat tax rate of 5.9% for taxable income over specific thresholds. For single filers, married individuals filing separately, and estates/trusts, the tax would apply to income over $37,500. For married couples filing jointly, heads of household, and surviving spouses, the tax would apply to income over $75,000. Taxpayers with income below these thresholds would not owe any income tax under this bill. This would replace New Jersey's current progressive tax system, which has rates ranging from 1.4% to 10.75% across multiple income brackets.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities from approving rate increases by electric or gas utilities that use income-based pricing (charging lower-income customers less). It requires the Board to conduct an economic impact study reviewing how proposed rate changes affect customers under different billing schedules before approving any increase. The law directly affects utility companies and their customers, particularly households relying on income-graduated billing structures. Key provisions ban income-graduated fixed or volumetric charges while mandating detailed cost-benefit analyses for rate adjustments.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises how New Jersey allocates state funds for public highway projects to municipalities and counties. It changes the formula to consider weighted county population (average population over the previous year), road mileage, evacuation route mileage, and road mileage in 100-year flood plains. The new formula aims to more accurately reflect unique challenges faced by different municipalities and counties, such as flood risks and evacuation needs. The bill also establishes specific funds for infrastructure, freight impacts, and bridge repairs, each with set percentages of the total highway funding appropriation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school districts and charter schools to verify the work authorization of teaching staff and school employees using the federal E-Verify system. Starting with hires for the next full school year after enactment, schools must check eligibility at hiring and annually thereafter. It directs the state education commissioner to provide guidance on the requirement and federal E-Verify rules to school boards. The bill explicitly allows schools to hire noncitizen teachers with valid limited certificates under existing state law.