Asm. Erik Peterson

Maddy summaryThis bill designates September 22 of each year as "John Basilone Day" in New Jersey to honor the WWII Marine Corps hero John Basilone, a native of Raritan. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance through activities and programs. The resolution commemorates Basilone's Medal of Honor and Navy Cross achievements for his actions at Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima, with no new policies or funding created. As a purely commemorative measure, it has no direct regulatory impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3163) would allow New Jersey residents to deduct charitable contributions made to qualifying New Jersey-based organizations from their state gross income tax. The deduction amount would mirror the federal deduction allowed under IRS Section 170 for the same contribution, regardless of whether the taxpayer claims the federal itemized deduction. It directly affects New Jersey taxpayers who donate to charities registered under New Jersey's Charitable Registration Act or exempt from it, provided the charity maintains a physical presence in the state (office, employees, services). The policy applies to contributions made in taxable years starting January 1 after enactment, pending legislative approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 867) establishes a "Stand Your Ground" law in New Jersey, removing the duty to retreat when defending one's home or vehicle. It allows individuals to use force (including deadly force) without retreating if they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent death, serious harm, or a violent crime (like assault, robbery, or murder). The law presumes a reasonable fear of danger when someone unlawfully enters a home or vehicle, though this presumption does not apply if the defender is committing a crime or if law enforcement is entering properly. It repeals the existing self-defense law (N.J.S.2C:3-6).

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges the New Jersey State Board of Education to require school districts to incorporate financial literacy instruction into existing mathematics and social studies classes, rather than creating new separate courses. It directly affects school districts by directing them to integrate practical skills like budgeting, debt management, and savings planning into current curricula. The resolution emphasizes this approach reduces administrative burden while ensuring students learn critical financial topics aligned with existing state standards. It is a non-binding recommendation, not a law, and does not impose new graduation requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires foreign companies providing online services (like social media or cloud storage) to comply with New Jersey court orders, search warrants, or subpoenas seeking customer data. It mandates they produce records within five business days (or faster if an "adverse result" like evidence destruction is imminent), including data stored outside New Jersey. Domestic New Jersey companies must also comply with similar requests from other states or the federal government. Violations can result in civil penalties of $10,000-$50,000 per violation, and companies providing data are protected from civil liability.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows counties in New Jersey to create "county-municipal courts" with limited, countywide jurisdiction. It directly affects counties (specifically first-class counties with over 900,000 residents and low population density) and their municipalities, which must agree to have local violations heard in the new court instead of their individual municipal courts. Key provisions include requiring municipalities to adopt ordinances agreeing to transfer cases to the county court within two years, allowing existing municipal courts to be abolished, and specifying that these courts handle cases like health department violations and criminal pretrial hearings. The bill amends existing law to define "county-municipal court" and streamline case handling across county boundaries.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the process for denying firearm permits in New Jersey. It requires the chief of police or State Police superintendent to prove an applicant meets one of the disqualification reasons (like a criminal conviction or domestic violence offense) if their permit to purchase a handgun or firearms purchaser ID card is denied. Previously, applicants may have had to prove they didn't qualify for denial. The bill does not change the list of disqualifying conditions but shifts the burden of proof to the issuing authority. This directly affects individuals whose applications are rejected for firearm permits or ID cards.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public and private schools participating in athletic associations (like NJSIAA or NCAA) to designate sports teams as "male," "female," or "coed" based solely on biological sex. It prohibits students assigned male at birth from joining female-designated teams, requiring disputed cases to be verified through a physician's statement confirming reproductive anatomy, natural testosterone levels, and genetic makeup. The law protects schools from penalties for maintaining sex-segregated teams and provides legal remedies for students denied athletic opportunities or facing retaliation due to violations. It directly affects all K-12 schools and colleges in New Jersey affiliated with major athletic associations.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires most law enforcement officers to show clear identification during official duties, including traffic stops. Officers must meet two of four specific standards: wearing a uniform with agency insignia, showing a photo ID card, displaying a department-issued badge/label, or operating a visibly marked vehicle. The requirement does not apply if revealing ID would endanger an officer, compromise an investigation, or prevent plain-clothed officers from responding to urgent safety threats. It directly affects officers interacting with the public and aims to help community members verify an officer's identity during routine encounters. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Public Safety Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) from accepting certain U.S. immigration documents as proof of identity when issuing driver's licenses or ID cards. Specifically, it bans the use of documents related to deportation or removal issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Homeland Security (DHS), including orders of release or supervision. The law directly affects applicants seeking standard driver's licenses, ID cards, or permits who might otherwise rely on these immigration documents for identity verification. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.