Asm. Roy Freiman

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the definition of "law enforcement officer" within New Jersey's public employees' retirement system (PERS) to include firefighters, emergency medical technicians, public safety dispatchers, and specific corrections and police roles. It requires current employees in these newly eligible positions to be transferred to the enhanced retirement category within 90 days (unless they waive it), granting them access to better retirement benefits. Additionally, the bill prohibits the State or counties from hiring anyone over age 35 for positions qualifying for the separate police and fire retirement system (PFRS). Existing employees in these roles are not affected by the hiring restriction.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Veterans State Government Fellowship program at Rutgers University's Eagleton Institute of Politics. It creates opportunities for exactly eight eligible New Jersey veterans annually - residents not dishonorably discharged, discharged within the past 10 years, and with a military pay grade at or below E-9 (enlisted) or O-5 (officers) - to work in legislative offices or state departments. Each fellow receives a stipend and serves during the legislative session (for legislative placements) or for one year (for executive placements). The program requires an annual $600,000 state appropriation to Rutgers University for administration and fellow stipends, to be reviewed every three years.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits tax preparation software companies (like TurboTax or free online tools) from charging taxpayers a fee to electronically file New Jersey state tax returns. It directly affects taxpayers who use such software, ensuring they aren’t charged extra for e-filing. The law requires software companies to provide free electronic filing services, with violations punishable by $500 fines for first offenses and $1,000 for repeat violations. Enforcement is handled by the Division of Consumer Affairs, and the rule applies to all tax returns filed for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2022.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to study and compare the efficiency, speed, and costs of online versus in-person transactions for vehicle services. Specifically, the MVC must examine productive efficiency, operational throughput (how many transactions processed per time), and marginal costs for both methods. The commission must submit a written report of its findings to the Governor and Legislature within six months of the bill's effective date. The bill expires once this report is submitted. It does not change existing laws but mandates a data-driven analysis to inform future MVC service decisions.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Assembly Bill 3777 establishes a food rescue hotline managed by the Food Security Advocate. The hotline will accept requests from individuals or organizations seeking to donate large quantities of food and connect them directly with local food banks and community resources to facilitate delivery. The bill also requires a public awareness campaign using media like TV, radio, and social media to inform the public about the hotline. This service aims to streamline food donations, reduce waste, and improve access to food for those in need.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates two online portals managed by New Jersey's Department of Health: one for employers to post job openings for behavioral health care workers (treating mental illness, emotional disorders, or substance use), and another for employers to list internship/externship opportunities that provide academic credit for health care students. The portals will allow New Jersey employers to connect with behavioral health workers and students training to become licensed health care professionals. The Department of Health may contract with third parties to develop and run these platforms, and the portals will take effect immediately. The bill directly affects healthcare employers, behavioral health workers, and students in health care training programs across the state.

Maddy summaryACR 124 is a non-binding concurrent resolution urging the New Jersey State Park Service to establish a visitor center at Princeton Battlefield State Park. It highlights the site's historical significance as the location of the pivotal 1777 Battle of Princeton (during the Revolutionary War's "Ten Crucial Days"), which helped secure New Jersey from British control. The resolution emphasizes the need for an educational facility to interpret the battlefield's history - including the Mercer Oak, Clarke House, and monument - and address preservation concerns, though it does not allocate state funds or mandate action. (This is a procedural resolution, not a bill with enforceable policy changes.)

Maddy summaryAJR 151 designates the third Thursday of April each year as "Biomedical Research Awareness Day" in New Jersey. It recognizes professionals in biomedical and life sciences fields - including researchers, scientists, and bioethicists - who develop treatments, vaccines, and medical technologies for diseases like cancer, AIDS, and COVID-19. The resolution requests the Governor issue a proclamation encouraging public observance of the day to honor these professionals and inspire students to pursue careers in these fields. This is a symbolic recognition with no new funding or regulatory changes.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (ACR 123) urges the U.S. President, Congress, and USDA to address rising SNAP benefit fraud. It specifically requests permanent federal authorization to replace stolen SNAP benefits retroactively to October 2021 (not just 2022), and funding to transition all SNAP EBT cards from vulnerable magnetic strips to secure EMV chip technology. The resolution targets fraud where criminals install skimming devices on point-of-sale terminals to steal card data and duplicate EBT cards, leaving SNAP recipients without recourse. It directly affects low-income households nationwide who rely on SNAP benefits for food assistance. The resolution does not create new law but calls for federal action to protect this vulnerable population.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $250 annual state income tax deduction for New Jersey residents who pay for subscriptions to newspapers headquartered in New Jersey and covering New Jersey news. The deduction applies to both print and digital subscriptions purchased directly by the taxpayer. It directly affects individual taxpayers who subscribe to qualifying New Jersey-based newspapers, such as local daily papers or digital news services. The policy change takes effect immediately upon enactment.