Asm. Erik Peterson

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's test for determining whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor under state labor laws. It eliminates two of the three factors in the current "ABC test" that employers must prove to classify a worker as an independent contractor. Specifically, it removes the requirements that the work must be outside the usual business operations (factor B) and that the worker must be in an independently established trade (factor C). Now, only the "control" factor (whether the worker is free from employer control) will be considered. This change directly affects workers' eligibility for benefits under New Jersey's unemployment compensation, wage payment, and disability laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey local government units that follow civil service rules (Title 11A) to use a layoff plan instead of an employment reconciliation plan when entering into shared service agreements or joint meetings. The layoff plan must specify which employees will be transferred, retained, or terminated, and includes terminal leave payments of one month for every five years of service for those terminated. It also requires that employees with permanent civil service status who are terminated be placed on a special reemployment list. This change is intended to simplify the process for local governments entering into shared service agreements. The bill directly affects local government employees and civil service commissions in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1118) revises New Jersey's tax rates for married couples filing jointly, aiming to reduce the "marriage penalty" where joint filers pay more tax than if they filed separately. It increases the threshold for the lowest tax bracket from $20,000 to $40,000 for joint filers and changes the tax rate for income between $40,000 and $70,000 from 2.5% to 1.75%. These changes apply to taxable years beginning January 1, 2020, and directly affect married couples who file joint tax returns in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to provide transportation for public and nonpublic school students living along routes designated as "hazardous" by the state. The Commissioner of Transportation, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, will develop three definitions of hazardous routes for urban, suburban, and rural areas, considering factors like traffic volume, road conditions, and safety features such as blind curves or steep inclines. School districts must provide transportation for students on these designated routes and will receive 100% state funding to cover the costs. The bill repeals a previous law that allowed districts to independently designate hazardous routes for "courtesy busing" services.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts volunteer fire companies in New Jersey from paying charitable registration fees. Currently, these organizations must pay fees based on fundraising amounts if they exceed $25,000 annually, but the bill would remove this requirement entirely for all qualifying fire companies. The exemption applies to fire companies organized under state law and actively engaged in protecting life and property. Approximately 750 fire companies, which collectively pay about $52,000 in fees each year, would benefit from this change.