Asm. Mitchelle Drulis

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2446) allows New Jersey counties and municipalities to make voluntary annual contributions of up to $70,000 to qualifying nonprofit veterans' organizations. The funds must be used for specific veteran services like housing assistance, mental health support, career transition programs, and family resources. Local governments must receive annual accounting from these organizations detailing how the funds were spent to support veterans within their jurisdiction. The bill defines eligible organizations as those meeting IRS 501(c)(19) tax-exempt status and providing services related to veterans' physical, emotional, or medical needs.

Maddy summaryACR 60 is a New Jersey concurrent resolution urging the U.S. President, Congress, and USDA to address SNAP benefit fraud. It specifically calls for federal action to protect SNAP beneficiaries - low-income households receiving food assistance - whose EBT cards are vulnerable to "skimming" fraud (where criminals steal card data via illegal devices at checkout). The resolution requests three concrete changes: permanently authorize federal funds to replace stolen benefits (instead of the temporary 2022-2024 window), retroactively cover losses from October 2021, and provide federal funding to transition SNAP EBT cards to secure EMV chip technology (replacing vulnerable magnetic strips). This is a non-binding request to federal authorities, not a law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1166) requires the New Jersey State Police Superintendent to create a recovery leave policy for troopers who provide proof of pregnancy. It mandates at least eight weeks of continuous paid leave after childbirth, with full pay and benefits (not counted as sick leave or deducted from sick leave balances), and prohibits residency restrictions or integrity checks during this period. The policy must be posted on the State Police intranet, including required forms, FAQs, and contact information for inquiries. The bill was enacted into law (P.L.2025, c.259) and took effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates a $50 fee for filing a certified copy of a court-ordered name change in New Jersey. It directly affects residents who need certified copies for legal purposes, such as after marriage, divorce, or other life events requiring a name change. The key provision deletes the existing $50 fee line (Section 11(d)) from state law, replacing it with no fee for this specific service. The change applies immediately upon enactment, removing a cost for individuals seeking to update official records.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends property tax exemptions for veterans with 100% service-connected disabilities retroactively to the date they were officially declared disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It requires the state to reimburse municipalities for property taxes paid by eligible veterans during the retroactive period. The exemption applies to veterans’ primary residences and covers specific disabilities like paralysis, blindness, or amputations. It directly affects veterans who previously paid taxes they should have been exempt from under existing law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Department of Commerce and Innovation as a centralized agency within New Jersey's Executive Branch to coordinate business, economic development, and innovation efforts. It consolidates fragmented responsibilities currently spread across multiple departments (like the Department of State and Economic Development Authority) into one agency, aiming to streamline business assistance and improve state competitiveness. The department will be led by a commissioner appointed by the governor, with a $1 million initial appropriation for operations. This directly affects businesses seeking state support and state agencies whose economic development functions will now report to this new department.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A1698) allows eligible voters to register to vote on election day or during early voting at their assigned polling place or early voting site, provided they meet specific requirements. It directly affects voters who missed the standard 21-day registration deadline before an election. Key provisions require voters to provide valid ID (like a utility bill or photo ID), complete a provisional ballot affirmation statement confirming they haven't voted already, and submit the registration in person. The bill updates existing law to make same-day registration at polling locations a standard option, ensuring provisional ballots from eligible voters are counted if all requirements are met.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires most large commercial trucks (over 26,001 lbs gross weight) operating in New Jersey to install GPS navigation systems that provide two specific safety features: real-time alerts about low-clearance bridges and weight restrictions, and dynamic route planning adjusted for the vehicle's exact height and weight. It excludes vehicles operated by government agencies, schools, or religious organizations. The Motor Vehicle Commission must create implementing rules, and the requirement takes effect 180 days after enactment. The bill directly affects commercial trucking companies and drivers operating eligible vehicles on New Jersey highways.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires judges, law enforcement officers, and court personnel in New Jersey to receive updated training on domestic violence, specifically adding instruction about "coercive control." Coercive control refers to patterns of controlling behavior, such as isolating victims from support networks, monitoring their movements, threatening immigration status, or making false reports to authorities. The training must cover recognizing these indicators, understanding trauma, safety planning, and racial bias impacts. Existing training curricula for these groups will be revised to include these requirements, ensuring consistent, informed responses to domestic violence cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires construction permit applicants in New Jersey to disclose the anticipated funding sources and amounts for their projects. It applies to most construction projects but excludes single-family homes, routine renovations or repairs of dwelling units, and small-scale alterations (like individual units in buildings with fewer than three units). Applicants must provide this funding information when applying for a permit, and before receiving a certificate of occupancy, they must certify the accuracy of that information or submit updated details. The Commissioner of Community Affairs will develop specific rules within 180 days to implement these requirements.