Asm. John DiMaio

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 232) creates a 10% tax credit against New Jersey's gross income tax for businesses that spend money on research and development (R&D) activities conducted within New Jersey. It directly affects companies subject to New Jersey's gross income tax that incur qualified R&D expenses or make basic research payments, including those that previously couldn't claim the federal R&D credit. The credit is calculated similarly to the federal version but only applies to R&D done in New Jersey, and it cannot be used for expenses already covered by other tax benefits. Unused credits can be carried forward for up to seven years. The goal is to incentivize in-state R&D investment to support technological and economic growth.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special "Support Our Veterans" license plate in New Jersey, available to vehicle owners who pay a $50 application fee plus a $10 annual fee. The collected fees fund a dedicated "Support Our Veterans License Plate Fund," which annually supports the Veterans Haven Council's services for homeless veterans housed at Veterans Haven facilities. The fund, managed within the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, covers costs for veterans' housing and support programs. The plate design will be chosen with input from the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, and initial costs are offset by donations from the Veterans Haven Council and other donors, not public funds.

Maddy summaryAJR 16 designates March 16 as "Paws Healing Heroes Day" in New Jersey to recognize service dogs' role in assisting veterans with conditions like PTSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), military sexual trauma, and seizure disorders. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to promote public awareness, highlighting that service dog training costs $3,000-$5,000 (not covered by veterans' benefits) and relies on nonprofit organizations like Paws Healing Heroes. This ceremonial resolution does not create new funding or legal requirements but aims to honor the support service dogs provide to veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1183) amends New Jersey's gross income tax code to exclude certain retirement contributions from taxable income. It directly affects New Jersey residents who contribute to qualified pension plans, deferred compensation plans, or certain individual retirement savings accounts (like IRAs). The key provision allows these specific contributions to be excluded when calculating taxable income, reducing the tax burden for eligible individuals. The bill creates a new deduction for eligible retirement savings, aligning New Jersey tax treatment more closely with federal rules for these contributions. This is a procedural tax code change with no new programs or funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities to create specific guidelines for placing individuals with developmental disabilities in two types of group homes: Level 1 (for minimal challenging behaviors) and Level 2 (for persistent, high-risk behaviors requiring intensive care). It sets clear criteria for placement, including age (21+), residency, and inability to function independently, and mandates that Level 2 placement is required when an individual poses a serious risk of harm to self or others. The guidelines also establish detailed requirements for transitioning individuals from Level 2 to Level 1 group homes, including meeting behavioral goals after 18 months, having support systems in place, and ensuring no ongoing need for Level 2 services. These rules directly affect individuals with developmental disabilities in group home care, the Division of Developmental Disabilities, and group home operators statewide.

Maddy summaryACR 53 proposes amending New Jersey's Constitution to guarantee annual full funding for two specific property tax relief programs. It requires the state to distribute energy tax relief aid (based on 2018 levels adjusted for inflation) and Consolidated Municipal Property Tax Relief Aid (based on 2009 levels adjusted for inflation) directly to municipalities each year. The bill mandates that these funds be distributed in the same proportion to each municipality as in the specified baseline years, with inflation adjustments calculated using the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis' deflator rate. This change would prevent the state from redirecting these dedicated tax revenues to other programs, as has occurred in some past years. The bill does not alter the tax collections themselves but ensures municipalities receive constitutionally guaranteed annual aid amounts.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (AR 28) passed by the New Jersey Assembly, not a binding law. It urges the federal government to approve construction of oil and natural gas pipelines within the U.S., specifically referencing pipelines that were previously shut down or denied approval (like the Keystone XL Pipeline). The resolution states it seeks to advance U.S. energy independence, lower fuel costs, and reduce reliance on foreign energy sources from regions like Russia and Venezuela. It has no legal effect and does not change any existing pipeline approvals or regulations.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A 1191 prohibits foreign governments and foreign persons from acquiring or owning agricultural land in the state after its effective date, with limited exceptions. Existing foreign owners must sell their land within five years to a non-foreign entity while attaching an easement to maintain agricultural use. The bill also requires the Agriculture Secretary to annually report foreign ownership statistics, including acreage, ownership trends, and top nationalities, to the Governor and Legislature. This law directly affects foreign governments, non-U.S. citizens, and foreign-owned businesses holding agricultural land in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for false alarms targeting places of worship in New Jersey. It amends the state's false alarm law to make such incidents a second-degree crime (carrying 5-10 years in prison or fines up to $150,000), while raising the minimum civil penalty from $2,000 to $5,000 (or actual response costs, whichever is higher). The law specifically defines "place of worship" as a building seating over 50 people used permanently for religious services by a recognized 501(c)(3) organization. It directly affects individuals who falsely report emergencies at churches, synagogues, or temples, and requires law enforcement to report such incidents annually. The bill aims to deter false alarms that disrupt religious gatherings and strain emergency resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to provide public boat access at state-owned lakes where boating is permitted, within two years of enactment. The DEP must either build access points or contract with private marinas via public bidding to ensure the public can launch boats with or without motors. It appropriates $1 million from the state General Fund specifically to fund this access. The law directly affects public boaters seeking access to lakes like Greenwood Lake, which currently lacks public boat launches as private marinas restrict or eliminate day-use access.