Asm. John DiMaio

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1438) changes New Jersey fishing rules for menhaden, a type of fish used for bait and human food. It allows commercial fishing vessels to use wet fish pumps (specifically capsule or centrifugal design) to remove menhaden from purse seines, provided the pump discharge hose is placed at or below the waterline to minimize excess aeration. This replaces the previous rule that banned fish pumps on licensed vessels unless fully covered and secured. The change directly affects licensed menhaden fishing vessels operating in New Jersey waters.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires local utilities providing essential services (like water, electricity, or sewer systems) to consult with county planning boards before making development decisions involving public funds. Specifically, utilities must refer projects to the county planning board for review and recommendations before proceeding, or they may move forward after 45 days without a response. The bill exempts these utilities from standard land use approval processes that typically apply to other developments, streamlining their project timelines. It directly affects sewerage authorities, utilities authorities, and similar entities serving municipalities. The change applies immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1166) requires the New Jersey State Police Superintendent to create a recovery leave policy for troopers who provide proof of pregnancy. It mandates at least eight weeks of continuous paid leave after childbirth, with full pay and benefits (not counted as sick leave or deducted from sick leave balances), and prohibits residency restrictions or integrity checks during this period. The policy must be posted on the State Police intranet, including required forms, FAQs, and contact information for inquiries. The bill was enacted into law (P.L.2025, c.259) and took effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Healthcare Choice Act (A-3150) allows health insurers licensed in other states to sell coverage to New Jersey residents and small businesses under specific conditions. It permits out-of-state insurers to offer individual health plans to NJ residents and small employer plans to businesses with 2-50 employees, provided they comply with their home state’s rules, obtain NJ approval, and join NJ’s insurance guaranty association. The bill requires insurers to clearly disclose differences between their plans and NJ’s standard programs in plain language. This directly affects out-of-state insurers seeking to enter the NJ market, NJ residents purchasing individual coverage, and small employers buying group plans. The law aims to expand insurance options while maintaining consumer protections through disclosure and regulatory oversight.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges New Jersey's state and federal agencies to pause sonar testing and wind turbine mapping near offshore wind projects. It cites NOAA data showing 12 whale deaths (including 8 humpbacks) and 5 dolphin deaths in February 2023 off New Jersey's coast - deaths occurring near active wind development sites. The resolution requests an immediate moratorium to allow scientific study of whether these activities interfere with marine mammals' navigation and communication. It specifically targets the Department of Environmental Protection and the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. The resolution does not create new law but calls for a pause while investigations continue.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires public school districts to allow home-schooled students to join school-sponsored activities like sports, clubs, music, and theater in their resident district, using the same rules as enrolled students. To participate, home-schooled students must prove residency, meet eligibility requirements, and follow district policies. The bill specifically prohibits students from switching to home-schooling solely to play sports, and it mandates that districts provide home-schooled students access to required physical exams if offered to public school students. It takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates tax incentives for New Jersey residents with disabilities to save for disability-related expenses through ABLE accounts. It provides a one-time $750 dollar-for-dollar matching grant for initial deposits into a New Jersey ABLE account (for taxpayers earning $150,000 or less annually) and allows a state tax deduction for all contributions to these accounts. The matching funds are subject to annual state budget approval, with the Department of Human Services determining allocation if funding is insufficient. The program expands New Jersey’s existing ABLE program, which allows tax-advantaged savings for expenses like housing, education, and assistive technology, without affecting Medicaid eligibility.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's individual income tax brackets, primarily raising the income threshold for the lowest tax rate. For tax years starting in 2022 and later, the 1.4% tax rate now applies to taxable income under $68,510 (up from $20,000), while the 1.75% rate begins at $68,510 instead of $20,000. These changes directly affect New Jersey residents filing individual income tax returns, particularly middle-income earners whose tax liability decreases under the revised brackets. The bill updates the existing tax code without altering the highest marginal rates for top earners.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1184) is formally titled about revising employment status tests but actually amends definitions in New Jersey's unemployment benefits law (R.S.43:21-19). It revises terms like "annual payroll," "base year," and "benefit year" to clarify how unemployment benefits are calculated, including rules for alternative base years when wage data is unavailable. The changes affect individuals filing for unemployment benefits and employers reporting wages, specifically impacting how eligibility and benefit amounts are determined under existing state law. The bill does not alter the test for classifying workers as employees versus independent contractors, despite its title.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts and the municipalities where students reside to create shared services agreements specifically for verifying student residency. School districts must annually submit to each municipality a list of every student's address by November 1, and municipalities must review these addresses within 30 days, reporting any unverified addresses back to the district. Unverified addresses then undergo further review by the school district. Non-compliant school districts face fines of up to $500 per violation, as enforced by the Commissioner of Education.