Asm. Roy Freiman

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 creates the "Jersey Vines Program" within New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to promote wines made using ingredients (grapes, fruits, etc.) grown in the state. It directly affects licensed plenary wineries and farm wineries that produce wine from locally cultivated materials. Key provisions include running advertising campaigns, sharing information about local wineries and wine varieties, and establishing a "Jersey Vines" label similar to the existing "Jersey Fresh" program. The program aims to increase consumer awareness and sales of New Jersey-grown wine through marketing and labeling.

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 creates tax incentives for New Jersey residents with disabilities to save for disability-related expenses through ABLE accounts. It provides a one-time $750 dollar-for-dollar matching grant for initial deposits into a New Jersey ABLE account (for taxpayers earning $150,000 or less annually) and allows a state tax deduction for all contributions to these accounts. The matching funds are subject to annual state budget approval, with the Department of Human Services determining allocation if funding is insufficient. The program expands New Jersey’s existing ABLE program, which allows tax-advantaged savings for expenses like housing, education, and assistive technology, without affecting Medicaid eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 2690) elevates the crime of leaving the scene of an accident that results in death from a second-degree to a first-degree offense. It directly affects drivers who leave such accident scenes, increasing penalties from up to 10 years in prison to up to 20 years, and raising fines from $150,000 to $200,000. The law clarifies that a driver’s knowledge of the death or violation of traffic laws is not required for conviction. It also ensures separate sentences for this charge and related offenses like aggravated manslaughter, with sentences running consecutively. The bill is pending in the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A1887 proposes to remove specific date and location requirements for veterans to qualify for state benefits. Currently, eligibility depends on service during defined conflict periods (e.g., WWII service between September 1940-December 1946), but this bill would amend the definition of "veteran" to eliminate those time-bound criteria. It directly affects veterans who served in conflicts like World War II, Korea, Vietnam, or later missions but may not meet the current narrow date windows. The change would broaden eligibility by focusing on service-connected status rather than exact historical dates. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.