Asm. Roy Freiman

Maddy summaryAJR 60 is a joint resolution declaring New Jersey a "Purple Heart State" to honor veterans and active duty military members from the state who have been awarded the Purple Heart Medal. The Purple Heart is a military decoration given to service members wounded or killed in action while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. This resolution joins three existing "Purple Heart States" (West Virginia, Virginia, and Washington) and takes effect immediately, recognizing New Jersey's existing connections to the "Purple Heart Trail" - a network of roads, bridges, and monuments honoring recipients. It serves as a symbolic tribute without creating new programs, funding, or legal obligations.

Maddy summaryAJR 25 designates the first full week of May each year as "Wounded Warrior Appreciation Week" in New Jersey. This symbolic resolution aims to raise public awareness about the challenges faced by military veterans with physical or mental injuries sustained in service, including those with combat-related stress, PTSD, or traumatic brain injuries. It requests the governor issue a proclamation encouraging New Jersey residents and officials to observe the week with activities honoring wounded warriors. The bill does not create new programs, allocate funding, or impose obligations on state agencies - it is purely a ceremonial designation.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $128.241 million from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues to the State Agriculture Development Committee for farmland preservation. The funds will be used to acquire permanent protections on farmland (through easements or direct purchases) and provide grants to counties (up to 80% of acquisition costs) and qualified nonprofits (up to 50% of acquisition costs). It also allocates $12 million for administrative costs, $1 million for acquisition expenses, and $150,000 for legal costs related to enforcing preservation protections. If funds aren't fully spent within a year, the committee can increase its offers to landowners beyond standard rates, with public notice required.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 131) urges the federal government to update the poverty threshold used to determine eligibility for public assistance programs. It argues the current federal poverty line - based on 1960s food costs and unchanged for decades - fails to account for modern expenses like housing, healthcare, and transportation, leaving millions who struggle to afford basics ineligible for aid. The resolution states that 53 million households face hardship but only 37.9 million are officially counted as poor under the current measure. It directly affects low-income households excluded from programs like Medicaid and food assistance due to the outdated calculation, especially amid rising costs since 2020. The resolution has no binding effect but requests federal action to expand access to public assistance.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 165) urges the U.S. federal government to create legislation providing proportional property tax relief for veterans with service-connected permanent disabilities. It proposes that veterans receive tax relief based on their U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability rating (e.g., 30% disability would yield 30% tax relief), limited to their primary residence and veterans earning under $200,000 annually. The resolution highlights that New Jersey currently offers full property tax exemptions for veterans with 100% service-connected disabilities, but this federal standard would extend similar proportional benefits to veterans nationwide. It does not create new state law but calls for federal action to ensure consistent support for veterans across all states.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows restaurants and licensed alcohol beverage retailers and manufacturers to expand their operations into designated outdoor spaces adjacent to their business locations, including public sidewalks. Businesses must apply for a "premises expansion permit" with their municipal zoning officer and the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, providing detailed plans for outdoor space design, sanitation, and safety measures. Municipalities can set reasonable operating hour limits (generally allowing most hours except late-night on Sundays-Wednesdays and early morning on Thurs-Saturdays), but must follow state requirements for permit renewal. Restaurants without alcohol licenses must renew their outdoor permits annually, while those with alcohol licenses renew with their main business license. The bill specifies that municipal ordinances on sanitation, noise, and other matters still apply unless specifically modified by the municipality.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits distributing intentionally deceptive audio or visual media (such as deepfakes) within 90 days of an election if the intent is to deceive voters about a candidate or election. It criminalizes such distribution as a disorderly person offense, punishable by up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. The prohibition does not apply if the media includes a clear, visible disclosure (e.g., "This advertisement contains manipulated images or sound") that remains readable throughout video or audible at the start of audio. Registered voters and candidates can seek court injunctions or sue for damages in violation cases. News organizations publishing such media for newsworthy purposes with the required disclosure are exempt from the law.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends New Jersey's Wounded Warrior Caregivers Relief Act to include family caregivers of veterans with service-connected disabilities who meet specific criteria. The credit allows caregivers to claim up to $675 (or 100% of the veteran's federal disability compensation, whichever is less) against their state income tax. To qualify, caregivers must be New Jersey residents with income under $100,000 (or $50,000 for single filers), provide care to a relative veteran who was honorably discharged, and lived with the veteran in New Jersey for at least six months of the year. Unused credit amounts that reduce tax liability to zero are refunded.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets a spending cap on certain state funds for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, requiring that total appropriations from the State General Fund, Casino Control Fund, Casino Revenue Fund, and Gubernatorial Elections Fund not exceed the combined total allocated for those same funds in fiscal year 2025. It directly affects the state budget process by preventing increases in these specific funding categories above 2025 levels. The cap includes key exemptions, such as funding for public schools, federal reimbursements, retirement payments, capital construction projects (like transportation infrastructure), debt payments, emergency needs (excluding routine operations), and Property Tax Relief Fund allocations. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires each principal New Jersey state department (like health, education, or transportation) to publish monthly reports on their performance. Each department must track five specific metrics (determined by the department head), include trend analysis and benchmarking data, and post these reports on their website. Departments must also submit an annual summary of the monthly reports to the State Comptroller, Governor, and Legislature. The bill applies directly to all executive branch departments and takes effect immediately. It mandates regular public disclosure of performance data but does not change departmental responsibilities or funding.