Asm. Erik Peterson

Maddy summaryACR 90 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring voter approval for New Jersey state bond refunding that increases the total principal debt beyond the costs of refinancing. It would apply to refinancing plans where the new bond principal exceeds the sum of the existing bonds being refinanced plus necessary refinancing costs. Currently, such refinancing doesn't require voter approval if it provides debt service savings, but this amendment would mandate voter approval for any refinancing that increases the overall principal amount. The change would affect how the state legislature issues refunding bonds for existing debt, requiring public approval for refinancing that expands the debt burden.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill prohibits most government entities, schools, and employers from requiring COVID-19 vaccination for the general public. It exempts healthcare workers and others at licensed health facilities who must get vaccinated to work with medically vulnerable patients, maintaining existing exemptions for medical or religious reasons. The bill also creates a state reimbursement program for healthcare workers to cover out-of-pocket vaccine costs not covered by insurance, requiring them to certify the expense causes financial hardship and isn't a standard insurance copay. Eligibility requires verifying costs aren't covered by health benefits, employer coverage, or standard insurance cost-sharing.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) to create and maintain an online database showing the vertical clearance (distance from bridge bottom to water level) for all bridges carrying highways over navigable waterways. Municipalities and counties responsible for bridge inspections must submit clearance data to the DOT within 14 days after inspections, and the DOT must publish the database on its website within 60 days. The database must be updated within 14 days of receiving new clearance reports from local governments. This affects bridge inspectors and the public by making critical clearance information publicly accessible for safety and navigation purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Medicaid Fraud Division to create data-sharing agreements with counties upon request. It provides counties access to third-party insurance data related to COVID-19 health services (like testing, diagnosis, and treatment) that were publicly funded. The data helps counties verify if individuals receiving these services had other insurance coverage, and if so, identify the correct insurance carrier to bill for covered services. This aims to protect public funds by ensuring counties can properly recover costs from private insurers for eligible COVID-19 care.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes paramedics and other advanced life support providers in New Jersey to administer blood products (like whole blood or packed red blood cells) during emergencies outside hospitals, under supervision by a trauma-trained physician. It requires providers to complete state-approved training, use FDA-approved equipment for storage and transport, and have two trained personnel present during transfusions. The law mandates that Medicaid and private insurers cover these pre-hospital blood transfusions at the same rate as hospital-based services, with the state creating grants to help EMS agencies cover initial equipment and training costs. It directly affects emergency medical services agencies, their certified providers, and patients experiencing severe bleeding from trauma or postpartum hemorrhage.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that first aid, ambulance, and rescue squads (as organizations, not just individuals) are protected from civil lawsuits when providing services in good faith. It specifically extends this immunity to non-volunteer squads for all services (not just advanced life support), correcting a gap in current law where such squads lacked this protection. The immunity covers acts or omissions during service provision or training but excludes motor vehicle operations. This change directly affects these emergency response organizations by reducing their legal liability risk.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Treasurer to create and implement electronic payment security standards for all state government transactions using credit, debit, or charge cards at point-of-sale terminals. It directly affects state agencies, departments, and contractors handling public benefit payments or state financial transactions. Key provisions include establishing standards within six months of enactment (with full tech upgrades by 18 months), requiring EMV chip technology as the minimum security standard until new rules are issued, and mandating biennial reviews to address new fraud threats. The standards apply to all state electronic payment systems, including terminals for public benefits programs, to enhance transaction security for residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 734) requires political committees and independent expenditure groups to file more detailed campaign finance reports, including contributor occupations and employer addresses for donations over $200. It extends the statute of limitations for campaign finance violations from 2 to 5 years and exempts reports filed with New Jersey's Election Law Enforcement Commission from certain document redaction rules. The bill directly affects political committees, campaign treasurers, and independent expenditure groups by mandating enhanced reporting deadlines (including 24-hour filings during the final week before elections) and quarterly filings for "continuing political committees." These changes aim to increase transparency in campaign financing while strengthening enforcement of campaign finance laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3012) allows emergency vehicles in New Jersey to use LED lights in their warning systems, which were previously prohibited. It amends existing law to explicitly include LED as a permitted light type alongside strobe, halogen, and incandescent lights for low-profile warning light bars. The Motor Vehicle Commission must update its regulations to reflect this change while maintaining current rules limiting emergency lights to two per vehicle and specifying their placement. The bill takes effect three months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts New Jersey disabled veterans from admission fees at state parks and forests and removes fees for motor vehicle access to park beaches for fishing. It specifically covers veterans honorably discharged with a service-connected disability (any degree) verified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Current law already provided free entry to seniors (62+), totally disabled residents, and National Guard members with training completion, but did not include disabled veterans for beach access fees. The bill extends both free entry and free beach access to all qualifying disabled veterans, regardless of disability severity.