Asm. Robert Karabinchak

Maddy summaryThe Green Building Tax Credit Act provides tax credits to New Jersey businesses and property owners who construct or retrofit buildings meeting specific green building standards. The credit equals 4% of eligible construction costs plus an additional 0.5% to 2.0% based on the building’s LEED certification level (Certified to Platinum), with costs capped at $280 per square foot. Eligible expenses include construction, design, and site improvements but exclude items like computers, fuel cells, and land purchases. The credit reduces taxes under several New Jersey tax acts and requires a state report on program usage within six years.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows businesses registered with New Jersey's Division of Revenue to opt into receiving official business notices (like new rules or economic incentives) via email instead of paper mail. It applies to most business entities (corporations, nonprofits, etc.) that file registration documents, excluding government agencies. Businesses must still maintain physical mailing addresses for legal notices, and paper mail remains required where state law specifically mandates it. The Division of Revenue will collect email addresses and share them with relevant agencies (like Taxation and Economic Development) to enable electronic notifications.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the New Jersey Alzheimer's Disease Master Plan Study Commission within the Department of Human Services. The 15-member commission - appointed by state leaders and including health experts, caregivers, and community representatives - will develop a comprehensive master plan to address Alzheimer's care. The plan must cover public education, healthcare improvements, funding, community-based services, caregiver support, and poverty reduction for those affected. The commission must submit its report to the Governor and Legislature within two years, after which it will expire.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey courts from basing child custody or visitation decisions solely on factors like a parent's disability, age, health status, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, or ethnicity. It requires courts to provide detailed written justifications if they consider these factors in custody cases involving otherwise fit parents. The law does not ban considering these factors entirely but ensures they cannot be the sole basis for rulings, while maintaining that the "best interests of the child" remains the primary standard. The bill applies to all parents in custody proceedings and aligns with New Jersey's existing focus on parental rights and child welfare. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey's Department of Human Services to hire American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters without following the standard civil service hiring process under specific circumstances. If the Civil Service Commission doesn't provide a certified list of eligible candidates within 60 days for ASL interpreter roles, or if no suitable hire results from the list, the department may appoint a qualified candidate after obtaining the Commissioner's written authorization. The appointee must complete a working test period to gain civil service status, and the department won't need to replace them if a new eligible list later becomes available. The goal is to reduce vacancies in ASL interpreter positions caused by delays in the standard hiring process.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 3716) requires rental car companies to provide renters with clear notice about deleting personal data from a vehicle's computer system when returning the car. The notice - required to be posted at return locations, on company websites, or in rental agreements - must advise renters to unpair personal devices and delete information like navigation history, phone data, or garage codes. Rental companies failing to comply face civil penalties of $500 for a first offense and $1,000 for repeat violations, enforced by the Division of Consumer Affairs. The law directly affects rental car businesses and renters in New Jersey, aiming to protect personal data stored in vehicle systems.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows prosecutors to request extended prison sentences for repeat offenders convicted of receiving stolen property. It applies to individuals with two or more prior separate convictions for this crime (or substantially equivalent offenses), provided the current offense occurred within 10 years of either their last prison release or their most recent prior conviction. The court must hold a hearing where the defendant can challenge the evidence before imposing the extended term. This changes sentencing options for repeat property crime offenders by expanding eligibility for longer prison terms under specific prior conviction conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to use funds from the "Global Warming Solutions Fund" to provide grants or financial assistance to commercial, institutional, and industrial entities for projects that refurbish or upgrade existing electricity generation facilities. These projects must modernize, expand, or extend the lifespan of power plants, with a requirement that they demonstrate measurable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions or energy demand. The bill allocates 60% of the fund for this purpose, while 20% supports low-income residential energy programs, 10% aids local government climate initiatives, and 10% funds forest and marsh restoration. It specifies that projects must meet clear criteria for emissions reductions, including through technologies like carbon capture, and establishes administrative cost limits for managing the fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $20 million annual financing program through New Jersey's Infrastructure Bank to help school districts replace diesel school buses with electric ones and install charging infrastructure. It directs the Infrastructure Bank to provide loans and financial assistance to school districts, prioritizing those in "overburdened communities" as defined by state law. School districts must complete energy assessments comparing costs and environmental benefits of electric buses before receiving funding. The program uses existing societal benefits charge revenues, federal funds, and loan repayments to sustain the initiative without requiring new state taxes.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a centralized database managed by the New Jersey State Police for law enforcement job applicants. It requires all state law enforcement agencies to collect and report applicant details - including identity, position sought, employment offer status, and reasons for denial (such as positive drug test results in the Central Drug Registry) - to this confidential database. Agencies must consult the database before making job offers, and the information will remain private, not accessible to the public. The Attorney General will establish guidelines for database operations, including disqualification standards and privacy procedures.