Asm. Yvonne Lopez

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3502) requires New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities to distribute the National Core Indicators State of the Workforce Survey (or a similar survey) to all eligible service providers for people with developmental disabilities. Service providers that fail to complete the survey face an annual $5,000 fine, collected by the Commissioner of Human Services. The law aims to gather workforce data from these providers to inform state planning and support. It directly affects organizations providing developmental disability services across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill provides temporary mortgage relief to homeowners directly impacted by Hurricane Ida's 2021 flooding. It requires mortgage servicers to grant a one-year payment pause (forbearance) to eligible homeowners who received federal disaster aid for storm-damaged primary residences, meet income limits (under 150% of median income), and have limited savings. During this period, servicers cannot charge fees, penalties, or report negative credit information, and must halt foreclosure actions. The relief applies only to those who obtained FEMA or similar federal assistance for damage sustained to their homes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires private contractors operating New Jersey's motor vehicle inspection facilities to offer full-time employment to eligible employees of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission who lose their jobs due to contract outsourcing. The number of job offers must be proportional to the contractor's share of inspection lanes (e.g., a contractor operating 30% of lanes must offer jobs to 30% of affected employees). It also mandates that collective bargaining agreements covering these employees remain binding under the new contract. This policy directly affects state employees working in motor vehicle inspection facilities when operations transition to private contractors.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's tax lien foreclosure process to require returning excess property equity to owners after liens are foreclosed. It directly affects property owners whose tax liens were foreclosed under current law, which allowed lienholders (municipalities or private entities) to keep all proceeds from property sales beyond unpaid taxes plus interest. The key provision mandates that courts must order lienholders to return any excess equity to the former owner once the lienholder is reimbursed for the taxes, interest, and costs they paid. This change responds to court rulings finding the prior practice unconstitutional under both the U.S. Fifth Amendment and New Jersey's Constitution, which prohibit uncompensated taking of property. The bill aims to align New Jersey law with the Supreme Court's Tyler v. Hennepin County decision and recent state appellate rulings.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey state government buildings - including offices, agencies, and state universities - to separate and recycle specific materials like aluminum, cardboard, glass, paper, and plastic waste. State entities must provide recycling bins, signage, and education for both employees and the public, and arrange for collection and transportation of recyclables through licensed vendors. The rule does not apply to state parks or forests using a "carry-in, carry-out" trash program. The Department of the Treasury will create compliance guidance and coordinate with courts and the legislature to ensure all state branches follow the requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows union officers representing probation officers, supervisors, and related Judiciary staff in New Jersey to participate in union activities - including lobbying, using union funds, and engaging in partisan political activity - while on full-time leave under state law. It specifically applies to officers serving on behalf of collective bargaining units for these judicial employees. The law overrides prior restrictions that might have prevented such participation. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to review and update statewide policies for investigating human trafficking. It directs the AG to specifically consider: whether recording undercover investigations protects victims and investigation integrity, strict rules for sharing such recordings, and involving county prosecutors early in cases. The policy review must address these points to better protect victims and support law enforcement. The bill responds to a 2024 commission report on human trafficking in New Jersey's massage industry and applies directly to county/municipal law enforcement and victims of trafficking.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $1 million annual "Census Complete Count Trust Fund" within New Jersey's Department of State, funded by the State General Fund. The fund will be invested, with all interest earnings added back to support efforts to ensure every resident is counted during each federal decennial census. It directly affects New Jersey's population counting process, which determines federal funding for schools, infrastructure, and services. The Department of State will use these funds to support state, local, and community organizations working to achieve a full census count.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates a 1% tax on purchasers buying controlling interests in Class 4A commercial properties (income-producing real estate like offices or retail space, excluding residential, farm, or industrial properties) when the transfer value exceeds $1 million. It directly affects commercial real estate buyers and sellers involved in large transactions of qualifying properties. The bill repeals the specific tax provision (previously called the "controlling interest transfer tax") but does not affect existing tax liabilities or audits for transactions that occurred before the repeal. This change simplifies the tax code for high-value commercial property transfers without altering other property tax rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands accidental death benefits for survivors of New Jersey Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS) members. It allows a "companion" (defined as an unmarried, cohabiting partner meeting specific criteria) to receive the 70% pension benefit - previously reserved for surviving spouses - when no spouse exists. The bill also requires adjusting the deceased member’s final retirement pay to calculate benefits for all survivors, including spouses, companions, and children. It applies to deaths occurring on or after January 1, 2023, with retroactive payments for eligible companions if approved within six months of the bill’s effective date. The bill is pending before the Assembly State and Local Government Committee.