Asm. Don Guardian

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to promote state-produced aquaculture products (farmed fish and shellfish raised in New Jersey waters) through the existing Jersey Fresh Program. It mandates the department to create a specific quality grading system for these products - distinct from wild-caught seafood - and allocate $25,000 annually from the General Fund to fund advertising and promotion. The program will apply only to aquaculture products meeting state quality standards, expanding Jersey Fresh's current focus on locally grown produce. This change directly affects New Jersey aquaculture producers seeking to market their products under the state's agricultural branding initiative.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Board of Medical Examiners to create a certification process for non-physicians (like licensed estheticians or technicians) to legally perform laser tattoo removal. It mandates that non-physicians must meet specific qualifications, pass approved testing, and complete continuing education to obtain certification. Certification is required before offering these services and must be renewed every two years. The law directly affects non-physician service providers seeking to enter the tattoo removal field, establishing standardized safety and competency requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey law enforcement officers (permanent full-time state, county, and municipal officers) to have an updated digital photograph taken every eight years. The photo must be included in their personnel file and on their agency-issued identification card if photographic ID is required. The Attorney General, working with the State Police Superintendent, must create guidelines to implement this requirement. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 32) creates a temporary, bipartisan committee to study New Jersey's historical claims to Staten Island. The 12-member committee - six appointed by the Assembly Speaker and six by the Minority Leader - will investigate colonial land grants, the 1834 boundary compact, and relevant legal history to explore potential annexation pathways. It will examine lawful options for New Jersey to pursue annexation, but only with consent from Staten Island residents, New York State, and the U.S. Congress. The committee will produce a final report and expire upon completion of its work. This is purely an investigative measure with no immediate policy impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from entering cannabis dispensaries or purchasing cannabis products by joining a private list. The Cannabis Regulatory Commission must create rules for adding/removing names from the list, sharing it with retailers, and requiring retailers to deny entry and stop targeted marketing to listed individuals. The self-exclusion list itself is exempt from public disclosure. It directly affects anyone seeking to avoid cannabis access and all cannabis retailers in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 733) increases daily compensation for election workers from $300 to $400 per election (primary, general, or special) and raises additional pay for workers handling signature copy registers. Election workers managing these registers will now receive $20 per election (or $10 each if shared), up from $12.50 or $6.25. The state will also increase its reimbursement to counties from $225 to $325 per worker, while counties cover the remaining $75. The bill directly affects election workers serving on district boards during all statewide and local elections in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill standardizes pension benefits for New Jersey teachers by moving all current non-retired members of the Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) into a single benefit tier (previously called "Tier 1"), granting them the same retirement benefits as members who joined before July 1, 2007. It requires public employers to enroll teachers earning above minimum salary but not meeting work-hour requirements into TAPF within 60 days of enactment. Teachers in the separate Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP) can automatically transfer their service credit to TAPF for retirement eligibility (but not pension amount calculations), with contributions staying in DCRP; they may opt out within six months of notification. The bill also allows TAPF members with long-term disability insurance to apply for disability retirement within two years of enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires state agencies to prioritize in-state businesses when awarding contracts for goods or services. If a New Jersey-based business bids within 5% of the lowest out-of-state bid, the contract must go to the in-state business; otherwise, the lowest bid wins regardless of location. The bill also allows large contracts to be split into smaller parts to help more New Jersey businesses compete and mandates that bidding specifications encourage open, competitive processes. It applies to all state agencies and departments when purchasing goods or services through public bidding.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to increase the income limit for New Jersey seniors and disabled homeowners to qualify for a $250 annual property tax deduction. Currently capped at $10,000 annually (unchanged since 1983), the limit would rise to $20,000 starting in 2015, with future adjustments tied to annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) changes. The change would expand eligibility to more low-to-moderate-income residents who own homes, while maintaining the fixed $250 deduction amount. The amendment requires voter approval and would be implemented through subsequent legislation defining CPI adjustments.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Human Services to create two dedicated websites: one in English and one in Spanish, to help residents enroll in Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare programs. The English site will list health navigators and community centers that assist with enrollment, including the languages they speak. The Spanish site will mirror this content with a Spanish domain name for easier access by Spanish-speaking residents. A bilingual public awareness campaign will promote both websites. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents seeking affordable health care, particularly Spanish speakers facing language barriers.