Asm. Erik Peterson

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow wineries producing more than 250,000 gallons of wine annually to directly ship certain wines to consumers. Currently, wineries exceeding this production limit cannot ship directly to consumers. The bill would permit these larger wineries to ship up to 12 cases per year of "reserve wine" (defined as wine not sold through New Jersey wholesalers or retailers) to consumers over 21. A $1,500 fee would apply for this direct shipping privilege. This would expand direct shipping options to larger wineries that previously could not ship directly.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1443) establishes automatic disqualification from holding any public office or employment in New Jersey for individuals convicted of certain crimes related to their position. It requires courts to immediately issue disqualification orders alongside forfeiture orders when someone is convicted of offenses involving dishonesty, third-degree crimes, or crimes directly tied to their public role. The bill also mandates a central registry maintained by the Administrative Office of the Courts to track all disqualified individuals. This applies to both state and local government positions, with limited exceptions for minor offenses that may be waived by a court.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the standard for lawful firearm transporters who deviate from their course of travel from "reasonably necessary" to "reasonable." It specifically allows for common, brief, lawful detours like picking up passengers, obtaining supplies or medication, and using restrooms before reaching a permitted destination. The bill also explicitly permits firearm transportation during bona fide emergencies or declared disaster evacuations. This affects individuals lawfully transporting firearms under existing exemptions, such as gun owners traveling between home and business, hunters, and members of rifle/pistol clubs.

Maddy summaryACR 52 proposes a constitutional amendment to make arbitration decisions final in disputes between New Jersey's Judiciary and counties over court facility costs. Currently, the Supreme Court can review and change arbitration rulings if they don't fairly balance county and Judiciary interests; this amendment would eliminate that judicial review. The bill directly affects counties and the Judiciary when disagreements arise about courthouse construction, renovation, or budgeting expenses. If approved by voters, it would require the Supreme Court to accept arbitration outcomes without the ability to modify them.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs' (DCA) authority to enforce disclosure requirements for builders of planned real estate developments. It defines key terms like "builder" and "planned real estate development" to make the law's scope clearer, ensuring developers must provide full disclosure to prospective buyers. The bill specifies penalties for violations, including fines of $250 to $50,000 per violation, and gives the DCA the power to levy these penalties after providing due process. This clarification implements a 2005 State Commission of Investigation recommendation about new-home construction practices and directly affects developers, builders, and the DCA.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires third-party payment services that contract with local governments or school boards to post a bond with those entities. The bond amount and sureties must be approved by the Local Finance Board, and it is forfeited if the service fails to make payments or handle financial transactions, including tax deposits. It directly affects local governments, school boards, and the third-party payment organizations they work with. The legislation aims to protect public funds by ensuring these services meet their financial obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Auditor to analyze the costs and benefits of certain state-funded programs and initiatives. It applies to any program or tax credit initiative receiving $1 million or more annually in state funding, including those run by accounting agencies or economic development authorities. The auditor must assess direct/indirect costs, tangible/intangible benefits, compare feasible alternatives, and conduct sensitivity testing. The findings must be reported to the Governor, Legislature, and made publicly available online. This provides lawmakers with data to evaluate program effectiveness and make informed budget decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey to distribute a portion of federal ESSER II funds (specifically the state reserve) exclusively to school districts that met specific in-person instruction thresholds during the 2020-2021 school year. It defines "in-person districts" as those offering in-person instruction on 75%+ of days (receiving 1.5x the per-pupil funding) and "hybrid districts" as those offering it on 25%-74% of days (receiving standard per-pupil funding). Districts not meeting either definition are excluded from this distribution. Superintendents must certify compliance under penalty of perjury to qualify.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey event venues (like banquet halls, theaters, or stadiums) to inform organizers of events with fewer than 1,000 attendees about available emergency medical services (EMS) providers and provide a list of those providers. For events with 1,000 or more attendees, venues must verify that EMS services will be provided before allowing the reservation. The state must publish a statewide list of available EMS providers on the Division of Consumer Affairs website, maintained in consultation with the Health Commissioner. The law applies to any fee-charged venue hosting events such as weddings, concerts, or sports gatherings.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new state fund to provide property tax relief to municipalities located in New Jersey's Highlands preservation area. Qualified municipalities must either be entirely within the preservation area or have at least 60% of their land in the preservation area while following regional planning standards. The aid amount is calculated based on the decline in true value of vacant land between 2023 (the base year) and the current year. The state will pay eligible municipalities in two annual installments from the fund, which will be funded by the existing "Highlands Protection Fund."