Asm. Joe Danielsen

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A457 exempts the sale of recreational safety helmets from state sales and use tax. It directly affects consumers purchasing helmets that meet specific safety standards for activities like biking, skateboarding, skiing, or snowmobiling. The bill defines "recreational safety helmets" as headgear that either complies with existing helmet laws for those activities or is specifically designed for them (e.g., bike helmets, ski helmets). The exemption applies to sales made after the law takes effect, which would be three months following enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Interagency Council on Homelessness within New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs to replace the existing Homelessness Prevention Task Force. The council, composed of 24 members including state agency leaders and public representatives (with at least two members who have experienced homelessness and two with housing expertise), will advise the Office of Homelessness Prevention and develop recommendations for coordinating services, identifying funding, and creating permanent housing solutions. It must produce an annual report for the Governor and Legislature detailing its findings and proposals. The council directly affects state agencies, homeless service providers, advocacy groups, and people experiencing or at risk of homelessness through its collaborative policy development process.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to contract with a private vendor for the marketing and sale of personalized, courtesy, and special license plates - including those sold via public auction - for a minimum five-year term. The vendor must reimburse the MVC for setup costs (up to half the anticipated expenses) and cover new plate introduction costs, while the MVC sets new fees for these plates (on top of standard registration fees) to cover all program expenses. Any excess fees collected beyond cost recovery are deposited into the state's General Fund. The MVC retains full control over plate designs and colors to ensure compliance with existing state regulations, and can cancel a plate program at any time if deemed necessary for public interest.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education to create performance-based funding plans for public colleges and universities. It requires tying a growing percentage of state operating aid (starting at 5% in FY2019 and rising to 25% by FY2023) to specific student outcome metrics, such as credit completion, graduation rates, and degree attainment in fields like STEM. County colleges will be measured on metrics like remedial course progression and associate degree completion, while four-year institutions will be evaluated on retention, transfers, and employment rates. The plan includes a "learning year" in FY2018 (no funding impact but detailed reports provided) and a 2% funding reduction cap for institutions in FY2019.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates "New Jersey State Song" (composed by Dr. Violet Barrett Paterson) as New Jersey's official state song. It requires the Secretary of State to maintain the song's printed music or sound recordings in the State Library or another public archive for public access. The law takes effect immediately upon passage, making the song the state's designated musical symbol. This is a procedural bill with no financial or regulatory impact on residents or government operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill waives all pet adoption fees at local government-run animal shelters, kennels, and pounds for active-duty military personnel (including New Jersey National Guard members after initial training), reservists, and veterans. Shelters must accept military IDs or discharge papers as proof of eligibility, with verification standards set by the Secretary of Agriculture. To offset costs, shelters may adjust fees for non-eligible adopters. The waiver covers the full adoption fee, which typically includes veterinary services, vaccinations, and spaying/neutering.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A2360 bill allocates $10 million in federal funds (from the American Rescue Plan Act) to establish two transportation grant programs. The permanent "Workforce Shuttle Grant Program" provides grants to local governments and nonprofits for purchasing or leasing shuttles, operating services on busy routes, and partnering with employers to reduce traffic congestion in rapidly growing areas. A temporary program offers grants to small businesses (under 50 employees), nonprofits, and temporary help firms to cover employee transportation costs until the permanent program launches. The state will annually appropriate $10 million for the permanent program after the temporary phase ends, with applications requiring employer partnerships and funding plans.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $25 million fund within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to support the Blue Acres program. The fund provides relocation assistance for homeowners and tenants displaced when the state acquires flood-prone properties through Blue Acres projects, and covers the cost of purchasing those properties. All money in the fund must be used for these purposes, with no more than 5% of annual funds allowed for administrative costs. The fund is non-lapsing (does not expire) and will be administered by the DEP to help residents affected by flood risk mitigation efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $5 million grant program to help New Jersey municipalities prepare for disasters by providing training, supply stockpiles, and technology for assisting residents with disaster relief applications. Administered by the Division of Disaster Recovery and Mitigation, the program allows each municipality to receive up to $30,000 in funding, with priority determined by the Office of Emergency Management based on risk assessments. Municipalities must report annually on fund usage, improvements in emergency response, and current risks. The program directly affects local governments across New Jersey, aiming to streamline disaster assistance for residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A469) removes a prohibition that previously prevented cannabis cultivation on land receiving farmland assessment under New Jersey's Farmland Assessment Act of 1964. The amendment to Section 7 of P.L.2009, c.307 allows cannabis cultivators to operate on agricultural land that qualifies for lower tax assessment. This directly affects medical and recreational cannabis businesses seeking to use farmland for cultivation, eliminating a significant barrier to land use. The key mechanism is the removal of a specific restriction that required cannabis operations to be on non-farmland. This policy change provides more flexibility in land use for cannabis cultivation while maintaining other regulatory requirements.