Asm. Erik Peterson

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's rules for public utility franchises (like water, electricity, or sewer service agreements) granted by cities or towns. It limits new franchises to a maximum seven-year term, requires Board of Public Utilities (BPU) approval before they take effect, and allows municipalities to revoke franchises if utilities violate terms after a public hearing. The bill increases penalties for utilities violating BPU rules from $100 to up to $25,000 per violation, with a maximum $2 million cap for related violations. It also creates a "Utilities Civil Penalty Fund" to return collected fines directly to customers via bill credits within 60 days, rather than using them to offset utility rates.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires developers of planned real estate communities to post a bond with New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to ensure completion of common elements like roads and amenities. It mandates that developer-controlled associations maintain adequate reserves for major repairs (e.g., roof replacement, pavement resurfacing) and undergo annual audits during developer control. Upon transitioning control to homeowners, developers must provide engineering reports, proof of required approvals, and a full accounting of association finances. These provisions directly affect developers and homeowners' associations in planned communities, increasing accountability and financial transparency during development and transition.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes a new standard for calculating municipalities' affordable housing requirements. It requires that at least 20% of a municipality's housing stock be occupied by low and moderate income households or disabled housing, using a specific census-based calculation method: the number of households earning below regional income limits plus disabled housing units, divided by total households, multiplied by 100. The bill also allows housing units for low and moderate income senior citizens to count toward up to 60% of the required affordable housing stock. These changes aim to simplify the process for municipalities to meet their affordable housing obligations while better targeting resources to areas with the greatest need.

Maddy summaryThe Children Innocence Protection Act (A2580) prohibits New Jersey public schools from teaching topics related to sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity in kindergarten through grade 5, and requires written parental consent for such instruction in grades 6-12. It also restricts schools from administering surveys revealing student or family information (like health, behavior, or family details) without prior written parental consent, detailed advance notice, and a clear opt-out statement. The bill exempts science classes covering anatomy or biology. Schools must notify parents two weeks in advance, provide lesson plans, and cannot partner with outside organizations to conduct these surveys. Parents can file complaints with the education commissioner or sue if schools violate these rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey S corporations to elect to transfer certain business tax credits to their shareholders. These credits, which currently reduce the corporation's tax liability, would instead be applied against shareholders' personal income tax bills for the tax year in which the corporation's tax period ends. The transferable credits include incentives like the New Jobs Investment Credit and Neighborhood Revitalization Credit. Shareholders can use these credits to offset up to 50% of their personal tax liability, based on their ownership share and income from the S corporation. This change makes existing corporate tax credits more valuable for S corporations, which previously received limited benefit due to their low corporate tax rate.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a two-year net operating loss carryback deduction for corporations paying New Jersey's corporation business tax. Currently, New Jersey only allows for a 20-year carryforward of net operating losses (with no carryback provision), making it less competitive with other states. The bill would allow corporations to file amended returns for the previous two tax years when they were profitable, use current year losses to offset those profits, and receive refunds of taxes paid in those prior years. This change would align New Jersey's tax code with the federal government and 17 other states that already permit net operating loss carrybacks. The bill affects all corporations subject to New Jersey's corporation business tax who experience a net operating loss in a given tax year.

Maddy summaryACR 27 is a concurrent resolution (not a bill) calling for a special legislative session to address property tax relief and reform. It requires the Legislature to convene within seven days of passage, dedicating the session solely to considering property tax policy changes. The resolution cites high property taxes as a burden on residents, particularly affecting low-income families, seniors, and homeowners. It does not propose specific tax changes but mandates that lawmakers introduce and vote on relevant bills during this session.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A1100 bill defines a "day in session" for school districts to qualify for state school aid as a day when school is open, students are under a teacher's guidance during instruction, and the day lasts at least six hours - except for schools enrolling only kindergarten students. School districts must meet this six-hour standard to receive state aid, as the commissioner may withhold aid for non-compliance. The bill amends state law to establish this requirement specifically for state aid calculations, replacing the previous regulatory standard of four hours for general school days.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a 2020 law that prohibited stores, restaurants, and food pantries from providing single-use plastic bags, paper bags, polystyrene foam containers, and plastic straws. It would allow these businesses to once again sell or provide these items without requiring customers to specifically request them. The repeal directly affects retail establishments, food service businesses, and food banks that currently face restrictions on these products. This change reverses specific environmental restrictions on single-use products implemented in 2020.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Treasurer to create security standards for electronic payments made by state agencies using credit, debit, or charge cards at point-of-sale terminals. The standards must be issued within six months of the bill's passage, with full implementation required within 18 months, and will cover all state transactions including public benefits payments. Until the standards are set, state agencies must use EMV (smart chip) technology as the minimum security measure for electronic payments. The State Treasurer must review and update these standards every two years to address new security threats and technological changes.