Asm. Mitchelle Drulis

Maddy summaryThis bill provides tax credits to New Jersey businesses that hire and retain neurodiverse employees in STEM/AI roles. Businesses receive credits of up to $9,000 per full-time employee (or $4,500 for part-time) annually, increasing with each consecutive year of employment. To qualify, employees must earn at least minimum wage, work in eligible STEM/AI positions (not as contractors), and be certified by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation as neurodiverse. The credits reduce corporate and gross income tax liability, capped at 50% of tax owed, and require employers to submit certification applications for eligible workers.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Regulatory Modernization Commission to review state regulations and reduce unnecessary burdens on businesses and residents. The commission, composed of 11 members including small business and regulatory experts, will annually assess rules, solicit public feedback via a digital portal, and publish reports with economic impact analysis. State agencies must respond to the commission’s recommendations within 90 days, though the commission has only advisory authority and cannot change regulations itself. The bill appropriates $250,000 for the commission’s operations and requires all findings to be posted publicly. (Bill A-1344, "New Jersey Regulatory Modernization and Red Tape Reduction Act")

Maddy summaryThis bill allows businesses registered with New Jersey's Division of Revenue to opt into receiving official business notices (like new rules or economic incentives) via email instead of paper mail. It applies to most business entities (corporations, nonprofits, etc.) that file registration documents, excluding government agencies. Businesses must still maintain physical mailing addresses for legal notices, and paper mail remains required where state law specifically mandates it. The Division of Revenue will collect email addresses and share them with relevant agencies (like Taxation and Economic Development) to enable electronic notifications.

Maddy summaryAJR 46 designates the first week of May each year as "Children's Mental Health Awareness Week" in New Jersey. The bill requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the week with activities promoting awareness. This procedural resolution does not create new programs or funding but formally recognizes the week to support existing efforts addressing children's mental health. It directly affects New Jersey state officials and the public through the Governor's annual proclamation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 738) expands New Jersey's Wounded Warrior Caregivers Relief Act to provide a tax credit for family caregivers of veterans with service-connected disabilities, regardless of when the disability occurred. It directly affects New Jersey residents who are relatives (up to third degree by blood) caring for a veteran who was honorably discharged and resides with them in New Jersey for at least six months of the year. The credit equals 100% of the veteran's federal disability compensation, capped at $675 per year, and applies to caregivers earning under $100,000 (jointly) or $50,000 (single). The bill revises the definition of "veteran" to include all honorably discharged veterans, not just those with disabilities from post-9/11 service. It was introduced on January 13, 2026, and refers to the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill adjusts the tax levy cap for New Jersey school districts that experience reductions in state school aid. It ensures these districts are not required to raise local property taxes as much when state funding decreases, by linking their required local tax levy directly to their state aid amount. The key mechanism requires the state commissioner to calculate each district's "required local share" based on their state aid level, preventing districts from facing higher tax increases during funding shortfalls. This policy directly affects school districts receiving state aid that may see reduced payments, providing them relief from mandatory tax hikes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1656) requires all outdoor lighting fixtures installed or replaced by New Jersey state agencies or on projects receiving state funds to meet specific environmental and energy efficiency standards. It mandates fully shielded fixtures with a BUG rating of U0, a maximum color temperature of 2,700 Kelvin (with limited exceptions), motion sensors, and minimal light trespass. The law aims to reduce light pollution, glare, and energy use while preserving public health and the natural night environment. It directly affects state agencies, state-funded construction projects, and all outdoor lighting installations under their jurisdiction.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's film and digital media tax credit program to require that all original music and musical scores for qualifying productions must be created and recorded within the United States. It directly affects film and digital media producers seeking tax credits under the program, which provides credits of up to 40% of eligible production costs. The key change adds a mandatory condition: producers must ensure domestic production of original music/scores as part of their eligibility, alongside existing requirements like spending 60% of costs in New Jersey. This policy update applies to all productions claiming the credit, without altering the credit percentages or other existing program rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Education to create a public online portal displaying how state school funding is calculated for all school districts. The portal will show historical aid amounts, allow users to adjust variables like enrollment or property values to estimate impacts, and explain complex funding formulas in plain language. It will cover all state aid types - including special education, transportation, and categorical programs - and include district-specific data like local shares and enrollment. The portal must link to relevant laws, district budgets, and the annual Educational Adequacy Report. This transparency tool directly affects school districts and the public by making funding mechanisms accessible and understandable.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a certification process for nonprofits that help low- and moderate-income residents build or rehabilitate homes through sweat equity (where future occupants contribute labor instead of money). It waives certain regulatory requirements for these certified nonprofits, including adaptability rules for housing units and marketing mandates for municipalities to count sweat equity homes toward affordable housing obligations. The bill also allows certified nonprofits to use their own affordability controls instead of state-mandated standards and directs state offices to expedite assistance for these projects. It directly affects low- and moderate-income households seeking affordable housing and the nonprofits facilitating their home construction.