Asm. Erik Peterson

Maddy summaryThis bill requires individuals and employers applying for state benefits - including contracts, loans, tax breaks, grants, or licenses - to certify that their presence in the U.S. is authorized under federal law. It directly affects anyone seeking these state-provided benefits or privileges. The key mechanism is a standardized certification form (created by the Department of Labor) that applicants must sign, stating they’ve verified eligibility for employment or legal status, with penalties only for knowingly false statements. The bill mandates that state agencies incorporate this form into existing application processes rather than creating a new system.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that any bill certified for a fiscal note or estimate cannot be released from committee until a complete fiscal note or estimate is prepared. It directly affects legislative committees, bill sponsors, and the Legislative Budget and Finance Officer, who must provide the fiscal analysis. The key mechanism mandates that committees must withhold releasing such bills until the fiscal note is finalized, preventing premature committee action. The bill does not change how fiscal notes are created but enforces a procedural requirement for their completion before bills advance. This applies to all bills requiring fiscal analysis under New Jersey law.

Maddy summaryACR 31 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing New Jersey municipalities to create partial property tax exemptions for volunteer firefighters and first responders' primary homes. It would authorize cities or towns to pass local ordinances providing exemptions of up to 10% of a home's assessed value for active volunteer members of fire companies or first aid/rescue squads serving that municipality. The exemption applies only to the primary residence of eligible volunteers, with municipalities deciding the exact percentage (up to 10%) and the state not required to reimburse lost tax revenue. This amendment must be approved by voters before it can take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2955) proposes tax incentives for New Jersey employers who hire individuals with disabilities. It would allow employers to claim credits against insurance premiums tax, corporation business tax, and gross income tax, including: 30% of the first $6,000 in wages for a new employee with a disability during their first year (20% in the second year), up to $600 for work-related transportation costs, and small business access improvement credits. The credits would apply only to employees certified by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services as meeting the federal ADA definition of disability. The bill is pending before the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee.

Maddy summaryThis symbolic resolution designates July 3 of each year as "Indian Christian Day (Yeshu Bakti Divas)" in New Jersey. It requests the Governor issue annual proclamations encouraging community observances focused on service to the disadvantaged and interfaith unity, honoring the historical significance of Saint Thomas the Apostle's martyrdom in India (72 AD) and aligning with a broader 2021-2030 celebration initiative. The designation directly affects New Jersey's Indian Christian community, providing a formal recognition of their cultural and religious traditions without altering laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health care professionals to provide new or expecting parents who receive positive test results for Down syndrome or other conditions diagnosed before birth (prenatally) or after birth (postnatally) with written information about outcomes and referrals to support services. The state Department of Health must establish a hotline, maintain a website with resources, and expand peer support programs to connect parents with community assistance and evidence-based information. The bill coordinates with a federal law and seeks federal funding to implement these services without requiring state funds for initial implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a permanent "Veteran Obituary Fund" within New Jersey's Department of the Treasury to cover costs for veterans' obituaries. Taxpayers can deduct donations to the fund (up to $50,000 annually) from their state income tax, with property donations over $500 requiring an independent appraisal. The fund accepts money or property donations from any source, which the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs administers to pay for veteran obituaries. It directly affects New Jersey taxpayers who donate to the fund and veterans' families, as it ensures obituary costs - averaging several hundred dollars - are covered without burdening families.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health and Department of Corrections to reimburse volunteer emergency service organizations for expenses related to false alarms at specific state facilities. It covers costs for damaged or used emergency equipment and vehicles when volunteers respond to alarms that don't involve actual emergencies at state psychiatric hospitals, developmental centers, or correctional facilities. The reimbursement is in addition to any existing penalties for false alarms and does not affect volunteers' status. The state must appropriate funds annually from the General Fund to cover these reimbursements.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds Alzheimer's disease and dementia to New Jersey's list of qualifying conditions for disability parking privileges. It allows individuals diagnosed with these conditions - whose walking ability is limited, impaired, or creates safety risks - to receive a disability placard or license plates displaying the wheelchair symbol, upon physician certification. Caregivers transporting these individuals may also use the reserved parking spaces. The change expands existing law, which previously covered mobility impairments from other causes, to specifically include dementia-related walking limitations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to provide bus transportation to public and nonpublic school students living within the standard distance limits (2 miles for elementary, 2.5 miles for secondary) but along routes designated as "hazardous" by the state. It establishes a process where the state transportation official, with input from police and education leaders, defines and designates hazardous routes based on specific safety criteria like traffic volume, road conditions, and pedestrian infrastructure. School districts must then provide transportation for students on these designated routes, and the state will annually review route designations to ensure they remain accurate. The policy directly affects students living near unsafe walking paths and school districts responsible for providing this transportation.