Asm. Roy Freiman

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2152) expands New Jersey’s existing pilot program to authorize grants for qualified nonprofit veterans’ organizations to purchase and rehabilitate abandoned homes specifically for homeless veterans. It requires veterans to be low-income or have a disability (or both), and grants up to $400,000 per organization annually must include a 50% matching contribution. The program allocates $1 million yearly for five years, prioritizing organizations serving high-need communities and requiring energy-efficient upgrades where cost savings exceed 10%. It directly affects homeless veterans (defined as living in shelters, motels, or unsafe conditions) and qualified 501(c)(3)/501(c)(19) veterans’ nonprofits statewide.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 24) commemorates the christening of the USS John Basilone, a U.S. Navy destroyer named in honor of New Jersey native Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone. It honors Basilone's World War II service, including his Medal of Honor and Navy Cross awards for actions at Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima, and his childhood ties to Raritan Borough, New Jersey. The resolution has no policy impact - it is purely ceremonial, with copies to be sent to the Secretary of the Navy and the Basilone Memorial Foundation. It does not affect any individuals or create new laws.

Maddy summaryAJR 64 designates November 22 of each year as "Kimchi Day" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and residents to observe the day with cultural activities. It directly recognizes New Jersey's Korean-American community, which includes approximately 105,000 residents - especially in Bergen County - and celebrates kimchi's cultural significance. The bill has no regulatory effect; it is purely a symbolic observance honoring kimchi's heritage and health benefits as recognized by South Korea and the UN.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A936) establishes a four-year grant program to expand career and technical education (CTE) opportunities in New Jersey. It provides funding to county vocational school districts and other school districts with approved CTE programs to partner with urban districts, colleges, or other entities, creating new CTE programs in existing facilities they don’t own or lease. School districts must submit detailed applications outlining partnerships, student capacity, facility use, costs, and long-term sustainability plans. After four years, the Commissioner of Education must report to the legislature on outcomes and recommend whether to make the program permanent, including funding sources. The program directly affects school districts, students seeking career training, and local employers supporting curriculum development.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $15,564,293 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues to the New Jersey Historic Trust for historic preservation grants. It funds 37 capital preservation projects totaling $12.18 million (including restoration of sites like the USS New Jersey, Trenton City Hall, and Morven) and 35 historic site management projects totaling $1.59 million (covering preservation planning and heritage tourism initiatives). Additional allocations include $25,000 for a Discover NJ History license plate fund, $100,000 for emergency preservation needs, and $1.67 million for administrative costs. All projects require recipient matching funds and involve properties listed or eligible for listing in the New Jersey or National Register of Historic Places.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Planning Commission to create model ordinances for siting warehouses (like distribution centers), helping towns and cities update their zoning rules. Municipalities can apply for up to $50,000 in reimbursement from a new $5 million state fund to revise zoning codes to align with these models. The law aims to help communities determine where large warehouses can be built, avoiding conflicts near homes, schools, parks, and historic areas. It directly affects local governments managing land use planning and warehouse development.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows health care providers managing "medical homes" for public employees and their dependents to apply credits against their contract costs with public employers. The credit amount cannot exceed payments the provider receives from the employer's health benefits program for covered services. It also permits providers to refer patients to other contracted providers within their network. The "medical home" must offer on-site primary care, care coordination via health tech, and chronic disease management at no cost to employees/dependents. The bill applies retroactively to July 1, 2022.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Recovery Tax Credit Program" to incentivize New Jersey employers to hire and retain individuals in recovery from substance use disorder. Employers must meet specific certification requirements, including providing employer-sponsored insurance meeting minimum essential coverage standards and partnering with local recovery providers, to qualify for the program. Certified employers can claim a tax credit of $1 per hour worked by eligible individuals, up to a maximum of $2,000 per individual (with a minimum of 500 hours worked), with a total annual program allocation of $2 million. The credit can be applied against Corporation Business Tax or Gross Income Tax, but cannot exceed 50% of the employer's tax liability for the year.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey counties to establish mentoring programs where experienced farmers provide guidance to beginning farmers, and to resell preserved farmland to beginning farmers at reduced prices. Beginning farmers are defined as those who have never farmed before, have farmed for 10 years or less, or qualify as first-time farmers under federal law. Counties would be permitted to sell or lease farmland they preserved at a price below what the county paid, while maintaining agricultural deed restrictions on the land. The bill would also allow the State's pro rata share of proceeds from these sales to be reduced to reflect the lower price paid by beginning farmers. This policy aims to make farmland more accessible to new farmers while maintaining preservation goals.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Disability Savings Act (A115) creates a state tax deduction for contributions to New Jersey ABLE accounts (disability savings accounts) and offers a one-time $750 matching grant for new accounts opened by residents with gross income of $150,000 or less. It directly affects New Jersey residents with disabilities or their families who use these accounts for qualifying disability-related expenses like housing, education, or medical costs. The bill allows a full state tax deduction on contributions (similar to NJ’s 529 education savings plan) and provides the matching grant as an incentive to save, though funding for the grant depends on annual state appropriations. The deduction and grant apply only to New Jersey ABLE accounts, not accounts from other states.