Asm. Linda Carter

Maddy summaryThis bill A4266 requires that only structural engineers or employees of certified fire escape inspection companies can install, service, repair, inspect, and maintain fire escapes and exterior stairways. It amends existing law to specify that compliance inspections for fire escapes must be conducted by these qualified professionals, and adds fire escapes to the definition of "fire protection equipment." The bill creates a new "Fire Escape Contractor" certification classification for contractors working on fire escapes, with specific requirements for certification. This requirement applies to both contractors performing fire escape work and construction officials responsible for enforcing fire code related to fire escapes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to prioritize projects that include or allow for flood mitigation when funding land acquisition for recreation and conservation (known as "Blue Acres" projects) and certain environmental infrastructure projects. It mandates that these projects receive additional priority points in the ranking system used to determine which projects get funded through the Green Acres Program and environmental infrastructure programs. The change affects local governments, nonprofit organizations, and others applying for DEP funding for projects that protect against flooding while serving recreation, conservation, or infrastructure needs. The bill implements this by amending existing laws to require the DEP to factor flood mitigation into its evaluation criteria for funding applications.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new criminal offense for stealing delivered packages from residential properties ("residential package theft"), separate from general theft laws. It sets penalties: a third-degree crime (under $75,000 stolen) with no standard presumption against jail time for first offenses, and a second-degree crime ($75,000+ stolen) requiring mandatory minimum prison time for repeat offenses, plus fines up to $250,000 or five times the package's value. The bill establishes a "Porch Theft Task Force" under the Attorney General to coordinate law enforcement, track theft data, and collaborate with delivery companies, and mandates a public awareness campaign to educate residents on prevention and reporting. It also appropriates state funds to implement these measures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to survey all municipalities and create a public list identifying every special improvement district and downtown business improvement zone in the state. The DCA must publish this list online within six months of the bill's enactment and update it every two years thereafter. Special improvement districts are areas where property owners pay extra fees for local services like street cleaning or marketing, typically managed by local business associations. The bill focuses on transparency by making this information publicly accessible, without changing how these districts operate or their funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits of certain retired police and firefighters in New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). It applies specifically to members who have been retired and receiving benefits for at least 10 years, excluding those hired after the bill's effective date, those in deferred retirement, and those with 20-24 years of service. The COLAs are tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners, with benefits up to $75,000 receiving full adjustment, while higher benefits are capped at a 1% annual increase. The $75,000 threshold will adjust annually based on inflation, and the bill requires the Legislature to appropriate funds to cover both state and local costs for these adjustments.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) to provide current non-retired members and those applying for retirement after the bill's effective date with the same benefits as members enrolled before July 1, 2007. It eliminates tiered membership by moving all current TPAF members to Tier 1, requires public employers to enroll eligible employees (earning above minimum salary but not meeting hour requirements) in TPAF, and allows Defined Contribution Retirement Program participants to transfer service credit to TPAF without transferring contributions. Participants in the Defined Contribution Retirement Program have six months to opt out of the transfer after receiving notice. These changes apply only to retirement applications processed after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Target Zero Commission" within the Department of Transportation, consisting of 13 state agency representatives (including Transportation, Health, and Public Safety officials). The commission’s primary duty is to develop a statewide action plan by 2040 aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries through engineering, education, and enforcement strategies focused on equitable road safety for all users. Key mechanisms include creating a public data portal for crash statistics, requiring annual public hearings and reports to the Governor and Legislature, and advising on policy changes to support safer transportation infrastructure. The commission must adopt its action plan within 12 months of the bill’s effective date and host public feedback sessions before finalizing it. This is a procedural bill creating a study body, not a direct policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill reschedules New Jersey's June 2025 primary election from June 3 to June 10, 2025, to accommodate a religious observance. It adjusts most election-related deadlines to align with the new June 10 date, but keeps specific deadlines - such as those for nominating petitions, ballot position drawing, and mailing vote-by-mail ballots - tied to the original June 3 date. The Secretary of State must notify county clerks, election boards, and the public within seven days of the bill's effective date and publish a revised election calendar. This change directly affects all voters, candidates, and election officials participating in New Jersey's 2025 primary election cycle.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends New Jersey's requirement that public bodies (like municipalities and school districts) may use newspapers for official public notices and legal advertisements - such as meeting schedules, bid solicitations, or ordinance publications - through March 1, 2025. It allows newspapers to be used regardless of format (print or digital) during this period, without charging extra fees for viewing digital notices or exceeding existing publication rates. The law ensures continuity for public notice requirements that previously had a deadline, covering both physical and electronic newspaper formats. It applies specifically to notices required under state law for public transparency.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey financial institutions (including banks, credit unions, and mortgage servicers) to allow mortgage borrowers to choose biweekly payments (every two weeks), bimonthly payments (twice monthly), and extra payments toward their mortgage principal without penalties. It directly affects homeowners with mortgages secured by residential properties (1-6 units) in New Jersey. The key provision mandates that any overpayment in biweekly plans must reduce the principal balance, while bimonthly payments must equal half the monthly amount. The law applies to all new mortgage agreements signed six months after enactment.