Asm. John DiMaio

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how municipalities calculate impervious surfaces for parks in the Highlands preservation area. It specifies that all municipal parks within a single town should be treated as one property (not individually) when measuring impervious surface percentage against the 3% limit. The calculation excludes Highlands open waters and solar panels from the impervious surface count. This directly affects municipal park development projects in the Highlands region, making compliance with the 3% limit easier by allowing combined park area calculations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2959) prohibits New Jersey state agencies and political subdivisions from entering into or renewing public service contracts with contractors who knowingly employ or contract with individuals without legal work authorization in the U.S. It directly affects contractors working on state or local government service contracts. Key provisions require contractors to verify all workers' eligibility using the federal E-Verify program and to certify subcontractors comply with the same rule. Contractors violating the law face contract termination, and a public list of violators is maintained by the Department of Labor. The law applies to all public contracts for services, not physical goods or projects.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (ACR 59) declares that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) proposed "NJPACT-REAL" rules - aimed at climate resilience and expanding flood zones - are inconsistent with legislative intent. It challenges the DEP's authority to unilaterally create these rules, arguing they exceed constitutional limits since the Legislature never authorized such sweeping changes through new laws. The resolution requires the DEP to amend or withdraw the rules within 30 days or face potential legislative action to invalidate them. This is a procedural step, not a law altering policies, focusing solely on the DEP's proposed rules' constitutional validity.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a "reasonableness standard" for individuals lawfully transporting firearms under existing exemptions (such as police officers, security personnel, or others permitted to carry firearms for specific duties) when they deviate from their intended travel route. It requires that any deviation must be reasonable and necessary, such as for an emergency stop or legitimate purpose, rather than arbitrary. The standard applies to all current exemptions in New Jersey law and does not change who is permitted to carry firearms for their job. The bill clarifies when a detour during lawful firearm transport remains compliant with state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's official definition of anti-Semitism by adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) 2016 standard, which includes specific examples of anti-Semitic conduct. It requires state agencies, schools, and institutions to use this definition when reviewing, investigating, or deciding on violations of anti-discrimination policies or laws. The bill clarifies that criticism of Israel similar to criticism of other nations does not constitute anti-Semitism under this definition. It explicitly states that the definition will not override First Amendment protections or existing state/federal anti-discrimination laws. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey residents to deduct the full amount of state property taxes paid on their principal residence from their gross income tax obligation, removing the previous $15,000 annual cap. It directly affects homeowners who itemize deductions on their state tax returns, particularly those with property tax bills exceeding $15,000. Key provisions include clarifying deductions for co-owners, rental properties, and adjustments for high-income taxpayers (those earning over $250,000 annually may face reduced deductions). The bill amends existing tax code sections to implement these changes while maintaining income-based limitations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to create and distribute special blue envelopes for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The envelopes must be easily recognizable to law enforcement, hold a driver's license, vehicle registration, and insurance card, and include written information identifying the holder's diagnosis plus communication guidance for officers. To obtain an envelope, individuals or their caregivers must provide specified documentation. The bill mandates MVC to develop this system in consultation with human services, state police, and autism advocacy groups, with implementation beginning 12 months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $7.5 million annually from existing constitutionally dedicated CBT revenue to create a new "Preserve New Jersey Highlands Preservation Fund." The funds will be used by the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council to acquire land in the Highlands Region for recreation, conservation, farmland preservation, and as a state match for federal conservation grants. Specifically, $5 million comes from the Green Acres Fund and $2.5 million from the Farmland Preservation Fund. The bill establishes clear spending rules, requiring project-specific appropriations and annual reporting on land preserved and federal funds leveraged.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1850) sets a flat 5.9% tax rate on New Jersey gross income above $37,500 for single filers or $75,000 for married couples filing jointly, while exempting all income below those thresholds from taxation. It directly affects New Jersey residents whose taxable income exceeds these filing-status-specific limits. The key provision replaces previous tiered tax brackets with a single flat rate for income above the exemption thresholds. This change simplifies the tax structure for higher earners while maintaining tax exemption for lower-income taxpayers. The bill was introduced in 2026 and referred to the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 628) prohibits courts from awarding a "builder's remedy" in lawsuits challenging exclusionary zoning laws. It directly affects municipalities, developers, and affordable housing advocates involved in zoning litigation. The bill states that courts must instead impose other remedies if a municipality fails to provide a realistic opportunity for affordable housing development, banning court orders that require zoning changes to include market-rate housing as a condition for development. The Legislature states this remedy has historically produced excessive market-rate housing with little affordable housing, harming communities and the state. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.