Asm. Wayne DeAngelo

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1443) establishes automatic disqualification from holding any public office or employment in New Jersey for individuals convicted of certain crimes related to their position. It requires courts to immediately issue disqualification orders alongside forfeiture orders when someone is convicted of offenses involving dishonesty, third-degree crimes, or crimes directly tied to their public role. The bill also mandates a central registry maintained by the Administrative Office of the Courts to track all disqualified individuals. This applies to both state and local government positions, with limited exceptions for minor offenses that may be waived by a court.

Maddy summaryThis bill waives New Jersey's business formation and registration fees for veteran-owned for-profit businesses and non-profit organizations. It exempts eligible veterans from paying the $125 fee for for-profit businesses and $75 fee for non-profits when establishing their business. To qualify, veterans must submit military discharge documentation (like a DD-214 form) with their application. The fee waiver applies only to initial establishment, not to ongoing renewal fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the requirement that New Jersey National Guard veterans must have served in federal active duty to qualify for a $3,000 annual gross income tax deduction. Currently, National Guard members need to have been called to federal active duty (under federal authority) to claim this deduction, but the bill removes that condition. The change applies to all honorably discharged or released New Jersey National Guard veterans, making the deduction available regardless of whether they served under federal authority. This aligns the tax benefit for National Guard members with the recognition provided to veterans of other military branches.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands workers' compensation coverage for cardiovascular or cerebrovascular injuries or deaths occurring during emergency work for public safety personnel. It applies to volunteer and professional firefighters, police, emergency medical technicians (including those employed by private entities), 911 dispatchers, and volunteer emergency management staff. The law creates a rebuttable presumption that such injuries are work-related if they occur during emergency response or within 24 hours of "remediating" (post-emergency protocols). Rebuttal requires clear medical evidence showing work wasn't a substantial cause, or proof of factors like intoxication or self-infliction.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides incentives for businesses located within a five-mile radius of New Jersey military installations that conduct innovative projects involving science, technology, engineering, math, or research and development (STEM/R&D) related to military operations. It amends the small business loan program to offer reduced interest rates (up to 25 basis points lower) for eligible military support businesses, and expands the Grow New Jersey Assistance Program to include military installation areas as qualified incentive zones. Businesses qualifying under this bill can receive a $500 per employee tax credit bonus for projects related to military installations and benefit from streamlined permitting processes. The bill also establishes a dedicated contact person to assist businesses with permit applications for projects near military installations, and repeals a duplicative 2019 provision.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A1133 bill standardizes rules for deploying small wireless facilities (like cell towers on street poles) across the state. It requires local authorities to allow wireless providers to install these facilities on existing poles without special zoning approval, with specific height limits (50 feet or 10% taller than surrounding structures), and sets maximum fees for deployment. The bill prevents local governments from creating exclusive contracts with wireless companies for pole space and establishes clear timelines for permit approvals (60 days for existing structures, 90 days for new poles). It also requires wireless providers to repair any damage to public rights-of-way and to notify authorities before removing facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires online service operators in New Jersey to notify consumers about how their personal data is collected and shared. Operators must disclose data categories collected, third parties involved, and processes for consumers to review or correct their information. It also mandates a clear opt-in mechanism for data sales (not opt-out), with operators prohibited from discriminating against consumers who choose not to sell their data. Consumers can request details about disclosed data within 60 days, and the Attorney General enforces compliance without allowing private lawsuits.

Maddy summaryBill A2844 would provide free undergraduate tuition and student fees at New Jersey public colleges and universities for children (ages 17-26) and spouses, civil union partners, or domestic partners of veterans who were killed in action, declared POW/MIA, permanently and totally disabled due to service, or died from a service-connected disability. To qualify, the veteran must have been a New Jersey resident when entering active duty, the dependent must be a New Jersey resident enrolled as an undergraduate in good standing, and must have applied for all available state and federal financial aid. The benefit covers up to the credits needed for a bachelor's degree at a four-year institution or an associate degree at a community college. For spouses or partners, benefits are limited to 10 years from the qualifying event (e.g., veteran's death or disability determination) and end if they remarry or form a new partnership.

Maddy summaryThe "Vegetation Management Response Act" authorizes New Jersey's electric public utilities to manage vegetation near power lines to prevent outages. It defines "dangerous vegetation" as trees or plants that could interfere with power infrastructure and permits utilities to clear, cut, or remove such vegetation using ANSI A300 tree care standards. Utilities must notify affected customers and property owners at least seven days in advance of vegetation management activities and conduct annual public education programs about vegetation management. The bill ensures that local shade tree commissions cannot block utility vegetation management, though utilities must still follow environmental rules and may be held liable for damage caused by non-compliance with commission regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) to ensure members serving on active duty in federal or state military service (ordered by the President or Governor) are treated as active members for benefit purposes. It directly affects police officers and firefighters in the PFRS who are injured or killed while on such military duty. The key provision clarifies that these members retain eligibility for full death and disability benefits - such as the 3.5 times final compensation death benefit and disability retirement allowances - that would otherwise apply to active-duty members. This change ensures consistent access to existing benefits without creating new entitlements.