Asm. Erik Peterson

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a presumption of pretrial detention for individuals charged with reckless vehicular homicide (when driving under the influence) or strict liability vehicular homicide (driving while intoxicated). It directly affects defendants convicted of these specific vehicular homicide offenses, requiring courts to detain them pretrial unless they can prove by a preponderance of evidence that release conditions would reasonably assure their appearance in court and community safety. The bill amends New Jersey law to extend the existing pretrial detention presumption, which currently applies to murder and life imprisonment offenses, to these vehicular homicide cases. It also includes provisions for vehicle forfeiture (unless hardship is proven) and allows courts to suspend or revoke drivers' licenses in these cases.

Maddy summaryACR 102 is a non-binding resolution urging New Jersey's Department of Education to impose a two-year moratorium on developing or implementing new Student Learning Standards. It requests this pause due to recent adoption of standards in 2020, parent concerns about current standards, and pandemic-related learning loss. The resolution does not change existing standards but asks the Department to halt new standards development while the Legislature considers related bills addressing learning loss. This affects the Department's curriculum planning process during the moratorium period.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey taxpayers to claim a state income tax deduction for charitable donations made to qualifying New Jersey-based organizations. It mirrors the federal deduction limit (under IRS Section 170) for donations that would be deductible on federal returns, without requiring taxpayers to itemize federal deductions. To qualify, organizations must be registered under New Jersey's Charitable Registration Act or meet specific in-state presence requirements (maintaining an office, employing staff, and providing services in New Jersey). The deduction applies to donations made in tax years beginning January 1 following enactment.

Maddy summaryAR 86 is a symbolic Assembly Resolution expressing New Jersey's support for Israel following Hamas' October 7, 2023 attacks. It condemns Hamas for launching a "massive, unprovoked war" involving rocket attacks, killings, abductions, and violence against civilians (citing 1,400 Israeli deaths and 30 American citizens among the casualties). The resolution formally supports Israel "as it defends itself" and directs copies to Israel's Prime Minister, U.S. ambassadors to Israel and the U.S., and New Jersey's members of Congress. As a non-binding resolution, it does not enact new laws but publicly affirms New Jersey's stance on the conflict.

Maddy summaryBill A2583 restricts eligibility for New Jersey's affordable housing programs to households where at least one member has lived in the state for two consecutive years or worked in the state at least 35 hours per week for two consecutive years. This applies to new affordable housing units required to remain low- or moderate-income (via deed restrictions or contractual guarantees) and the state's rental assistance program. The bill adds these residency or employment criteria to existing eligibility rules, which do not affect federal housing programs like Section 8. The policy change aims to limit state-funded housing benefits to individuals with a sustained connection to New Jersey through residence or work.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a New Jersey state tax credit that reduces a taxpayer's gross income tax bill for eligible adoption expenses related to adopting a foster child. It directly affects New Jersey residents who adopt children placed in foster care through the Division of Youth and Family Services. The credit covers ongoing medical, therapeutic, or counseling costs (like prescriptions, therapy, or occupational services) for the child, and applies annually until the child turns 18 (or 21 with special education needs) or for life if the child has a severe disability certified by state disability directors. The credit is claimed against the state tax liability each year the adoption expenses are incurred.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A398) makes knowingly making a false report of child abuse or neglect a crime of the third degree in New Jersey. It directly affects individuals who file false reports under state law, subjecting them to potential penalties including up to 5 years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both. The bill also adds a civil penalty of up to $10,000 payable to the state treasury for the Department of Children and Families. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts sales of rapid and laboratory tests (including molecular and antigen tests) used to detect infections like SARS-CoV-2 from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It specifically covers viral and antibody tests purchased for infection detection, affecting both businesses selling these tests and consumers or organizations buying them. The exemption applies to sales occurring two months after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits emergency orders, rules, or regulations issued by New Jersey's Governor under the Civil Defense and Disaster Control Act to a 30-day effective period. Unless the Legislature approves an extension with a two-thirds vote in both chambers, such measures expire after 30 days. The bill does not apply to orders rescinding prior emergency actions, federal compliance requirements, internal government rules, military orders as Commander-in-Chief, or orders already authorized for longer terms under other laws. It also prohibits the Governor from issuing identical orders for the same emergency after an initial order expires. The law takes effect January 1, 2021.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 28) urges the federal government to approve oil and natural gas pipelines within the U.S., including those previously denied or shut down (like the Keystone XL Pipeline, revoked by President Biden in 2021). It argues that approving such pipelines would enhance U.S. energy independence, reduce reliance on foreign energy sources (e.g., from Russia or Venezuela), and lower fuel costs while creating jobs. The resolution directs copies to federal leaders but does not create new law or directly affect residents. It focuses on advocating for pipeline approvals as a policy action, not on implementing specific regulations.