Asm. Erik Peterson

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health to create a voluntary registry for trauma scene waste management service providers (companies cleaning sites contaminated by medical waste or infectious materials after incidents like homicides, suicides, or bioterrorism). To register, providers must hold ABRA certification, pay $100 initial and annual fees, register with the Environmental Protection Department as medical waste generators, and certify staff familiarity with the ANSI/IICRC S540 cleanup standard. The registry will be publicly accessible online, searchable by county, and must be updated regularly. Law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency medical services will be prohibited from referring people to unregistered providers after the registry launches.

Maddy summaryACR 33 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing New Jersey municipalities to offer a partial property tax exemption on the primary residence of volunteer firefighters and first responders. The exemption would cover up to 10% of a home's assessed value, with each municipality setting the exact percentage through local ordinance. To qualify, the volunteer must be actively serving in a local fire company or first aid/rescue squad that serves the municipality and live in the home as their primary residence. The state would not provide reimbursement to municipalities for any lost tax revenue from this exemption.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey joint resolution designates September 22 of each year as "John Basilone Day" to honor the WWII hero and New Jersey native. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and citizens to observe the day with appropriate activities. The resolution focuses solely on commemorating Basilone's military service and sacrifice, with no new state requirements or funding. It is a ceremonial designation with no direct impact on laws, regulations, or affected groups beyond public recognition.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2520) requires that when a profit-making entity (like a developer or utility company) takes private property through eminent domain, compensation must reflect the property’s full revenue potential and intended use - not just its current value. It mandates payment for adjacent property damages (such as noise, groundwater impacts, or reduced property value due to the project) and consequential costs like broken contracts or maintenance expenses. If court-awarded compensation exceeds the entity’s highest prior offer by 10% or more, the entity must cover the property owner’s legal fees. The bill also automatically returns taken property to owners if the entity fails to meet conditions for using eminent domain.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow chiefs of part-time municipal police forces in New Jersey to issue firearms purchaser identification cards and handgun purchase permits, which are currently only issued by chiefs of full-time police departments. The change would streamline the application process by enabling local part-time police chiefs to handle these permits directly rather than requiring applicants to go through the State Police. This would facilitate more timely issuance of these permits while maintaining all existing requirements for obtaining them. The bill does not alter the eligibility criteria or application process for these permits, only expanding who can issue them.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey taxpayers to exclude certain retirement plan contributions from their state gross income tax. It applies to contributions made to 401(k) plans, traditional IRAs, qualified pension plans, government deferred compensation plans (457 plans), and the federal Thrift Savings Fund. These contributions would be taxed upon withdrawal rather than at the time of contribution, effectively reducing taxable income for eligible taxpayers in the year they make contributions. The change would apply to contributions made in taxable years beginning January 1 following the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryACR 79 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring any New Jersey law imposing a state tax or delaying the repeal of a tax to automatically expire five years after enactment (or five years after the amendment passes, whichever is later). The legislature must vote to extend such tax provisions for an additional five years, but cannot do so earlier than one year before the expiration date. This applies to all existing and future tax laws, including those that extend or delay tax repeals. The amendment would require voter approval before taking effect, with a "yes" vote meaning tax laws would sunset after five years unless renewed by the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1106) would allow New Jersey taxpayers to deduct expenses for functional improvements and repairs made to their primary residence from their gross income tax. It defines "functional improvements" as work that materially improves a home's operating condition or extends its useful life (e.g., roof replacement, HVAC upgrades), excluding cosmetic remodels or adaptations for new uses. Repairs must maintain the home's ordinary efficiency (e.g., fixing plumbing), not just aesthetics. The deduction applies to both homeowners and renters, covers all qualifying expenses without a dollar limit, and allows married couples filing separately to each claim half the deduction for shared home costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2511) requires New Jersey municipal governing bodies and school boards to set aside dedicated time for public comment at all open meetings, ensuring all speakers receive at least three minutes per comment. It mandates that these bodies schedule sufficient time to accommodate every request, and if public comment exceeds the meeting's scheduled length, no vote may occur until the next meeting where all speakers can finish. The bill directly affects local municipalities and school districts by structuring public participation during official meetings. It modifies the Open Public Meetings Act to standardize public comment time while preserving existing exemptions for confidential discussions.

Maddy summaryThis bill phases out New Jersey's transfer inheritance tax over two years. For the first year after enactment, the tax rate is reduced to 50% of current rates for taxable transfers (such as those to siblings or non-relatives). In the second year, the tax is eliminated entirely for all transfers. It directly affects individuals inheriting property that would have been subject to the tax under current law, including non-spousal and non-lineal transfers. The change applies to all estates, whether the decedent was a New Jersey resident or not.