Asm. Erik Peterson

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to identify reservoirs with documented history of causing or worsening downstream flooding. For these reservoirs, the DEP must study downstream flood risks and water supply needs, then set maximum water levels to balance flood prevention with community water access. Reservoir owners must create and follow an approved flood action plan (including flood gates) within 90 days of DEP rules. The Office of Emergency Management can also order immediate water level reductions during severe weather to prevent flooding, with the state indemnifying owners who comply with these orders and approved plans.

Maddy summaryACR 77 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how New Jersey's Attorney General is selected, moving from gubernatorial appointment to direct election by voters. Currently appointed by the Governor with Senate confirmation, the Attorney General would be elected at the general election held during the first year of a Governor's term, serving a four-year term beginning January 3rd. To qualify, the Attorney General must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for 20+ years, a New Jersey resident for 7+ years, and a licensed attorney in the state. The amendment also specifies that the Attorney General's salary would be at least 80% of the Governor's salary and outlines procedures for filling vacancies. This constitutional change requires voter approval after legislative passage.

Maddy summaryACR 40 is a proposed constitutional amendment requiring New Jersey to fully fund two property tax relief programs for municipalities each year. It mandates that the state distribute the full amount of Energy Tax Relief Aid (based on the 2018 distribution level adjusted annually for inflation) and Consolidated Municipal Property Tax Relief Aid (based on the 2009 distribution level adjusted annually for inflation). This would prevent the state from diverting these funds to other state programs, as occurred in some past years when distributions fell short. The amendment would take effect starting July 1, 2019, for the state fiscal year beginning that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2529) allows New Jersey taxpayers to deduct 50% of donations of $100 or more made to qualifying domestic violence shelters from their gross income. It directly affects New Jersey residents who contribute to shelters meeting state standards under the Shelters for Victims of Domestic Violence Act (P.L.1979, c.337). Shelters must verify compliance with Department of Human Services operating standards to qualify, and donors must provide proof to the Division of Taxation. The deduction applies to taxable years beginning January 1 after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires municipal officials to record any conditions attached to development or zoning variance applications in a permanent municipal record, kept at the clerk's office. Applicants must pay any applicable recording fees, and a copy of the recorded conditions must be provided to them. The recorded conditions are treated as documents affecting real property title, following standard property recording procedures under New Jersey law. It directly affects property developers and applicants seeking zoning changes by creating a formal, public record of approved conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill, A2546 (New Jersey Design Professional Self-Certification Act), would allow qualified architects and engineers to self-certify construction plans instead of going through the traditional permitting process. To participate, design professionals must complete a certification course, carry $500,000 per claim insurance, and submit a certification statement attesting to code compliance. Property owners would need to sign an "Owner Certification Statement" and "Owner Hold Harmless Letter" agreeing to corrective actions if issues arise. The Department of Community Affairs would issue permits within 1-5 days for self-certified applications (compared to 20 business days currently) and conduct random audits to verify code compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2557) requires counties and municipalities in New Jersey that have not adopted civil service hiring rules (Title 11A) to give hiring preference to veterans who are equally qualified as non-veteran candidates for open positions. It applies specifically to non-civil service jurisdictions and does not affect existing veteran hiring preferences for police or fire departments. Veterans must meet all measurable job criteria equally to non-veterans to qualify for the preference. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2524) would apply New Jersey's existing ethics and conflicts-of-interest rules for casino industry regulators to the legalized marijuana industry. It would prevent people from being appointed to regulate marijuana businesses if they had financial ties to marijuana businesses within the past three years, require financial disclosures from regulators, and prohibit regulators from having financial interests in marijuana businesses during their service. The bill would also impose post-employment restrictions (four years for officials, two years for employees) and require a Code of Ethics modeled on judicial standards. Violations would result in civil penalties of $500-$10,000 or criminal charges for serious violations. This would directly affect marijuana industry regulators, employees, and businesses seeking licenses.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Assembly Resolution 75 (AR 75) is a symbolic resolution urging the U.S. Congress and President to increase domestic oil and gas production by reducing regulatory barriers. It specifically calls for removing bans on federal land development, streamlining permitting, incentivizing production on idle lands, and approving pipelines like the Keystone XL. The resolution cites high gas prices (exceeding $4/gallon nationally), energy dependence on Russia/Venezuela, and the 2022 letter from 25 governors as key motivations. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect but aims to influence federal energy policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey counties to create their own paid auxiliary fire departments to support local municipal fire services. It requires counties to submit a detailed plan (including territorial zones and staffing) to the state fire coordinator for approval before establishing such a department. The county firefighters would be employees of the county, working under municipal fire officers during emergencies, and the bill exempts all costs for creating these departments from the county budget cap that normally limits tax increases to 2% annually. This directly affects counties seeking to address staffing shortages in local fire departments while providing concrete funding flexibility for new fire services.