Asm. Claire Swift

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that if the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) sells or leases Atlantic City International Airport, the new owner must preserve all existing employee benefits and rights. It specifically protects SJTA employees’ pension and retirement benefits, sick/vacation leave, civil service status (if applicable), and rights under current collective bargaining agreements. The bill mandates that these benefits transfer to the new entity, and existing employee representatives must continue serving until employees choose new ones. This directly affects SJTA airport workers whose jobs would transition to a new owner during a sale or lease. The policy change ensures workers’ job protections remain intact during ownership changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public schools with grades 9-12 to have counselors or teachers discuss career opportunities in skilled trades, military service, and agriculture with students and their parents/guardians. Schools must also provide information about military enlistment tests during these discussions. The state education commissioner, working with labor and agriculture officials, must supply schools with resources detailing required education, certifications, or apprenticeships for these career paths. The law applies to all high schools starting the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state income tax credit for A-list performing artists who perform live shows at least four times annually within the Atlantic City Tourism District and other New Jersey locations. The credit, calculated as if the income were taxed at New Jersey’s highest marginal rate, effectively exempts that income from state income tax. Artists must apply in advance for written authorization from the New Jersey Division of Taxation to claim the credit. The goal is to attract top performers to Atlantic City to boost tourism and local economic activity through recurring performances.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A352) requires New Jersey's Secretary of Higher Education to create state guidelines for colleges and universities on how they present student financial aid offers. The guidelines must ensure offers clearly show direct/indirect costs, total and net price of attendance, standardized terms for aid types, student rights to accept/decline offers, contact information for assistance, and ban the term "award." It directly affects all public and private colleges in New Jersey and aims to improve transparency for students, particularly first-generation, low-income, and minority students who struggle with unclear offers. The bill implements recommendations from a 2022 U.S. Government Accountability Office report highlighting widespread lack of transparency in financial aid communications.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary 11-member commission to study New Jersey's higher education funding system. The commission will examine funding models used by other states, review input from all public and private colleges, universities, medical schools, and law schools, and develop recommendations for a new state funding formula. It must submit a final report to the Governor and legislative committees within six months of its first meeting, after which the commission will expire. The bill does not change current funding but establishes a process to evaluate and potentially reform how the state supports higher education institutions.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A947 amends stalking laws to specifically protect adoptive parents and children from unwanted contact by individuals whose parental rights to the child have been terminated. The bill defines "course of conduct" to include repeated contact with an adoptive child by a terminated parent contrary to the adoptive parent's instructions, making such behavior a stalking violation. Courts can now order restraining orders prohibiting all contact (including electronic communication), restricting the terminated parent from the adoptive parent's residence or workplace, and requiring monetary compensation for harm caused. These protections apply when the terminated parent commits acts like assault, harassment, or stalking against the adoptive family, with violations treated as criminal contempt.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a two-year Animal Advocate Program within New Jersey's Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). It allows courts to appoint an advocate in specific criminal cases involving animal welfare - such as animal cruelty (R.S.4:22-17) or dog fighting (P.L.2015, c.85) - to represent the animal's best interests. The advocate monitors the case, reviews records from animal control and veterinarians, shares information with attorneys, and recommends placement or care to the court. The program expires after two years, requiring the AOC to submit a report on implementation and recommendations for continuation.

Maddy summaryAJR 55 designates March 16 each year as "Paws Healing Heroes Day" in New Jersey to recognize service dogs that assist veterans with conditions like PTSD, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, and seizure disorders. The resolution directly affects veterans, service dog organizations (such as Paws Healing Heroes in Glassboro), and the public by raising awareness of these animals' role in veteran support. Its key mechanism is an annual designation requiring the Governor to issue a proclamation encouraging public observance. This is a ceremonial resolution, not a law with funding or regulatory changes, and it takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides tax credits to New Jersey small businesses (fewer than 25 employees and under $1 million annual revenue) and farm employers (hiring farm labor) for increased mandatory insurance costs. The credit equals the difference between current-year costs for workers' compensation, disability, and unemployment insurance versus the previous year's costs for the same employees and wages. Credits are capped at $12,000 annually per business and available only for tax years 2020-2029, with unused portions carryable for up to four years. Businesses must apply through the Division of Taxation, and credits reduce corporate business tax or gross income tax liability.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 29) is a symbolic statement urging the U.S. President to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) and stop funding it. It directly addresses the President, citing concerns about the WHO's pandemic response - including delayed actions, inconsistent guidance on masks, and perceived deference to China during the COVID-19 crisis - as reasons for withdrawal. The resolution does not create new law or change policy but expresses the New Jersey General Assembly’s position that the WHO’s failures and broad authority warrant U.S. disengagement. It is a non-binding request, not a legislative mandate.