Asm. John DiMaio

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey taxpayers to voluntarily contribute to the state's General Fund when filing their gross income tax return. Taxpayers would have the option to direct a portion of their tax refund or make an additional contribution to the General Fund through a designation on their tax form. The funds, after deducting administrative costs, would be deposited into the General Fund - the main state fund used for most government operations. This change would apply to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require New Jersey counties and municipalities to hold a voter referendum before issuing general obligation bonds. The referendum must be held at the general election occurring at least 70 days after the governing body adopts the bond ordinance, with approval requiring a majority vote. The bond ordinance must include specific details about how the bonds will be paid (the "ways and means") without relying on loans. This requirement would not apply to emergency bonds, refunding bonds, bonds for distressed municipalities, or bonds for county colleges. Currently, local voters don't have a say in these bond issuances, though they ultimately repay them through property taxes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health care professionals to provide new or expecting parents with positive prenatal or postnatal test results for conditions like Down syndrome with specific, evidence-based information about outcomes and referrals to support services. It mandates the establishment of a state hotline, updated website resources, expanded peer support programs, and provider networks offering current information on living with diagnosed conditions. The Department of Health must coordinate these services, prioritize partnerships with disability advocacy groups, and align with the federal Prenatally and Postnatally Diagnosed Conditions Awareness Act. The law applies directly to parents receiving positive test results and health care providers who deliver those results.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey to issue classic license plates replicating those from 1979-1991 for motor vehicle owners. Owners would pay a $50 one-time application fee plus a $10 annual renewal fee, with proceeds after covering program costs deposited into the Special Transportation Fund for state road projects. The program requires 500 pre-ordered plates and $25,000 in private funding before implementation, and may end if annual plate costs exceed $50 for two consecutive years. It does not use public funds for initial setup, relying instead on private contributions to cover design, production, and programming costs.

Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment (ACR 54) would prohibit both New Jersey state and federal laws from requiring individuals to obtain health insurance, employers to provide health benefits coverage to employees, or healthcare providers (like hospitals or doctors) to participate in any health coverage plan or program. If approved by voters, it would amend New Jersey’s Constitution to add a new provision protecting personal freedom in health care choices. The amendment would need voter approval at the next general election following legislative passage. This is a procedural step toward potentially changing the state constitution’s health care provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Red Tape Review Commission to evaluate state regulations and executive orders for their economic impact on businesses, workers, and local governments. The commission, composed of eight members including the Lieutenant Governor (as chair), department heads, and legislative leaders, will review all proposed or adopted rules and executive orders to determine if their costs outweigh benefits. It must solicit public input, require state agencies to provide data, and issue annual recommendations to the Governor for repealing, rescinding, or amending burdensome rules. The commission’s findings are advisory only and cannot be used in legal challenges against state agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a program providing property tax relief to New Jersey residents while offering education grants for eligible students transferring from public to participating nonpublic schools. It directs school districts to pay participating nonpublic schools up to 50% of the district's per-student spending (capped at the school's tuition) for qualifying students from households earning under 3.7 times the federal poverty level. The program requires participating nonpublic schools to meet safety, anti-discrimination, and financial transparency standards, and redirects savings from the program to lower local school tax rates and increase homestead property tax credits. Eligibility requires students to have attended public school for at least 100 days in the prior year, not be in special education, and not have previously attended a nonpublic school.

Maddy summaryThis bill excludes a portion of Medicaid-related income from New Jersey's state gross income tax for qualifying medical practices. Specifically, it excludes an amount equal to the proportion of Medicaid receipts to total practice revenue (e.g., if 30% of a practice's income comes from Medicaid, 30% of that income is tax-free). It directly affects physicians and medical practices (especially LLCs or partnerships) treating Medicaid patients, incentivizing them to accept more Medicaid-covered patients by reducing their taxable income. The exclusion applies to income from services provided to Medicaid recipients under state law, effective for taxable years after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill would require New Jersey to compensate property owners when state environmental laws or regulations cause a 20% or greater decrease in their property's fair market value. If the value decreases by more than 50%, the state would be required to purchase the property at fair market value (at the owner's option). It defines "State action" as environmental laws, regulations, or agency decisions that limit property use, covering specific laws including wetlands protection, pinelands regulations, and coastal area controls. The bill also requires state agencies to evaluate proposed rules for potential "taking" of property before adoption. This would apply to property owners affected by these environmental regulations, not to all property owners.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides an additional $5,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance for eligible military service members purchasing primary residences in New Jersey, on top of existing state homebuyer programs. It specifically targets members of the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard, or Reserve who served at least 90 days of active duty after 9/11 or during the 1990-1991 Gulf War period, were honorably discharged, or were discharged due to service-connected injuries. The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency would administer the program, with funds limited to available appropriations. Surviving spouses of eligible service members also qualify if they meet all other eligibility criteria.