Asm. Anthony Verrelli

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for retail theft offenses based on the value of stolen goods, with shoplifting over $500 becoming a third-degree crime. It creates a new offense for "fostering the sale of stolen property" (including online sales) and upgrades penalties for "leader of organized retail theft enterprise" to a first-degree crime. The bill establishes a retail theft unit within the Attorney General's office to investigate and prosecute organized retail theft, and includes new requirements for gift card retailers to prevent fraud through packaging standards and third-party reseller record-keeping. It also creates extended prison terms for repeat retail theft offenders and increases penalties for tax evasion related to retail theft.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5365) revises New Jersey's Risk Management Committee within the Department of Treasury. It changes the committee's chair to the State Treasurer (or designee) alone, removes requirements for the committee to develop risk management training programs or oversee department-level committees, and exempts the committee from the Open Public Meetings Act. The committee will now only provide advisory recommendations on worker safety and capital repair issues to the Risk Management Division. These changes directly affect the State Treasurer's office, the Risk Management Division, and the committee's operational structure.

Maddy summaryThis bill would grant special agents in the New Jersey Department of Treasury full police powers, allowing them to act as peace officers for detecting, apprehending, and arresting offenders against the law. It authorizes these agents to carry firearms at all times (not just while on duty or traveling to/from work) and requires them to complete a basic police training course approved by the Police Training Commission. The bill also expands their authority to seize contraband, including counterfeit stamps, cigarettes, and other illegal goods, when enforcing tax laws. This change would align Treasury special agents with other law enforcement officers who have similar full police powers under New Jersey law.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A919 establishes standards for public service privatization contracts, requiring state and local agencies to demonstrate actual cost savings for taxpayers before outsourcing services. The bill mandates competitive bidding, ensures services maintain current quality and pricing for the public, and requires contractors to pay wages and benefits equal to those of displaced public employees. Agencies must provide detailed cost analyses, allow union input on cost estimates, and submit quarterly reports on contractor compliance. The Office of the State Comptroller reviews contracts for compliance, and the State Auditor conducts annual post-audits to verify savings and prevent service degradation or underpayment of workers.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-5086) changes penalties for underage gambling in New Jersey from criminal offenses to civil fines. It applies directly to: (1) minors who gamble at casinos/simulcasting facilities (under age 21), (2) casino employees/licensees who allow underage gambling, and (3) adults who permit minors under their care to gamble. The key provisions set fines at up to $500 for a first offense, $1,000 for a second, and $2,000 for third or subsequent offenses. All collected fines will fund gambling addiction prevention, education, and treatment programs through the Department of Human Services, specifically supporting initiatives like those run by the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation Program (CHAMP) at the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to fund projects that reduce risks from natural disasters, such as floods and storms. The program provides loans and financial assistance to State agencies, local governments, and nonprofit organizations for hazard mitigation and resilience projects that align with the STORM Act (Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation Act). It includes provisions allowing local governments to provide loans to private property owners for hazard mitigation, with a graduated loan forgiveness program based on household income levels. The bill also makes technical changes to the bank's authority, extending the date by which the bank may not incur additional indebtedness to June 30, 2053.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $18,518,738 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues to fund historic preservation projects through the New Jersey Historic Trust. The funds will support 43 capital preservation projects ($15.03 million total) including historic buildings and landmarks like fire stations and lighthouses, 34 historic site management projects ($1.47 million total) for preservation planning and heritage tourism, $100,000 for easement purchases, and $1.92 million for administrative costs. All projects must be listed or eligible for listing in the New Jersey and National Register of Historic Places, and recipients must provide matching funds. The funding comes from revenues constitutionally dedicated to historic preservation under the Preserve New Jersey Act, with changes to projects requiring Joint Budget Oversight Committee approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5188) requires New Jersey health insurance carriers to offer electronic fund transfers (EFT) as an option for reimbursing covered persons for eligible medical costs. It mandates carriers to notify policyholders about any fees for EFT and provide website instructions to enroll in EFT. The law applies to standard health plans (excluding Medicare Supplement, Medicaid, and workers' compensation) and targets carriers directly. Violations can result in enforcement by the Department of Banking and Insurance, including civil penalties and reimbursement of fees paid by consumers.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to create a two-year pilot program equipping light rail trains operating in southern New Jersey with opioid antidotes (like naloxone). It mandates secure storage with silent alerts to notify operators of potential overdoses, two doses per train, multilingual signage, and informational cards - without requiring staff to administer the antidote or undergo specialized training. NJT must maintain records and report on the program's effectiveness to the Governor and Legislature within six months of the pilot's end, using a $100,000 state appropriation. The program directly affects NJT staff and passengers on southern light rail routes, aiming to provide rapid response to opioid overdoses during transit.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum attorney fee cap in New Jersey workers' compensation cases from 20% to 25% of the amount recovered in settlements, judgments, or orders. It specifically applies to cases involving medical treatment, temporary disability benefits, and permanent disability claims, ensuring attorneys can be compensated fairly for securing these essential benefits. The bill clarifies that awarded fees cannot be deducted from payments for medical treatment or temporary disability benefits. It also maintains judges' discretion to consider hourly rates in certain fee determinations while addressing a recent court ruling on fee calculations. The changes apply immediately to pending cases.