Asm. Verlina Reynolds-Jackson

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A 788 requires all state executive departments and agencies to create an inventory of all pandemic-related actions taken during COVID-19 (like health guidelines, waivers, or emergency plans) and assess their effectiveness and usefulness for future crises. It mandates that these agencies annually report to the Governor and Legislature - starting one year after the bill takes effect - detailing their findings, implementation plans, and recommendations for future emergencies. All reports must be publicly posted online, ensuring transparency about how the state plans to respond to future public health or emergency situations. This procedural bill affects all New Jersey executive agencies and focuses on systematic documentation, not new policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's assault statute (N.J.S. 2C:12-1) to increase penalties for assaulting specific public safety personnel. It designates assault on a Class Two special law enforcement officer while performing duties as aggravated assault, and adds that causing bodily injury through arson (violating N.J.S. 2C:17-1) that harms emergency services personnel (including firemen, medical staff, and law enforcement) is also aggravated assault. The bill does not include provisions allowing arson investigators to carry firearms, as that detail is absent from the provided bill text. The summary is based solely on the assault statute amendments included in the bill.

Maddy summaryAJR 55 designates August each year as "Black Business Month" in New Jersey to promote the success of Black-owned businesses. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging schools, cultural institutions, and community organizations to observe the month with supportive activities. It highlights that Black-owned businesses are essential to New Jersey's economy, face disproportionate challenges (like higher pandemic closures), and represent a growing sector with potential to improve economic equity. The bill does not create new funding or regulations but formally recognizes and encourages statewide attention to Black business owners.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the "New Jersey Reparations Task Force" to research and develop proposals addressing generational harms from New Jersey's role in slavery and systemic racial discrimination. The task force will examine historical and current disparities affecting Black communities, including voter disenfranchisement, youth incarceration rates, housing discrimination, wealth gaps, and school segregation. It will produce a report with policy recommendations for state-based reparations based on documented harms. The bill directly affects Black residents of New Jersey who face these systemic inequities, as outlined in the legislative findings.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a separate fringe benefit rate specifically for New Jersey public colleges and universities, effective starting in fiscal year 2025. Currently, these institutions use the same general state-wide fringe benefit rate as other state employees, but many university staff are enrolled in less expensive retirement plans (like the Alternative Benefit Plan) or have different benefit structures, causing a mismatch between actual costs and payments. The bill requires the Division of Budget and Accounting to calculate a rate reflecting the actual retirement costs for these employees. This change will apply to all federal, dedicated, and non-State funded programs at public colleges and universities.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a loan program administered by New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) to help beginning farmers purchase essential assets. It directly affects new or limited-experience farmers (defined as those with ≤10 years of farming in NJ, low/moderate net worth, or first-time farmers under federal rules) who need capital for agricultural land, farm buildings, or equipment. The program requires applicants to prove farming experience, residency, and plan to use loans solely for farming activities, with NJEDA setting interest rates and eligibility criteria. Loans must finance purchases within New Jersey, and NJEDA may require financial reviews to ensure borrower viability.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a $100,000 spending limit on sales and use tax exemptions for businesses in New Jersey's Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) program. It directly affects qualified UEZ businesses that make capital improvements like building, repairing, or substantially upgrading their property. The key change eliminates the previous cap, allowing these businesses to claim full tax exemptions on all qualifying materials, supplies, and services used for eligible improvements - retroactive to January 1, 2022. This policy change applies to businesses with a valid UEZ certification (UZ-4) operating in designated zones.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides tax credits to New Jersey-based small businesses during their first three years of operation. It directly affects qualifying startups that are registered in New Jersey, maintain most operations within the state, have no more than 50 employees, and earn under $100,000 net income in their first taxable year. The credit reduces the business's gross income tax liability by 75% in year one, 50% in year two, and 25% in year three. Businesses must apply for approval from the state director to claim these credits, ensuring they aren't using the credit to offset taxes from other unrelated businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a two-year Statewide Animal Advocate Program within New Jersey's Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). It allows courts to appoint a special advocate in criminal cases involving animal welfare (such as cruelty or dog fighting charges) to represent the animal's best interests, rather than the owner or state. The advocate monitors cases, reviews records from vets and officers, shares information with attorneys, and recommends animal placement to the court. The program expires after two years, requiring a report on implementation and recommendations for continuation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey law enforcement officers to complete mandatory training on identifying machine gun conversion devices and related components used to modify standard firearms. It directly affects every officer employed by state or local law enforcement agencies, as this training becomes a condition for continued employment or appointment. The bill amends existing law by adding specific content to required continuing education, focusing on recognizing devices that convert semiautomatic guns to fire multiple shots per trigger pull. The training must be approved by the Police Training Commission and documented by officers and their agencies.