Asm. John DiMaio

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1123) changes the payment timeline for the ANCHOR Property Tax Relief Program in New Jersey. It requires that eligible applicants receive their 2020 property tax benefit as a rebate within 30 days of submitting a completed application (or 30 days after the bill's enactment, whichever is later), instead of the current requirement of "as soon as possible but no later than May 2024." The ANCHOR program provides property tax relief to qualifying homeowners and renters (with income limits) who owned or rented their principal residence on October 1, 2020. This change aims to accelerate payments to beneficiaries who meet program criteria.

Maddy summaryBill A1084 prohibits the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from requiring deed restrictions or additional conditions for projects already exempt under the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act (P.L.2004, c.120). It directly affects property owners, developers, and applicants whose projects qualify for statutory exemptions under the Highlands Act. The bill mandates that DEP cannot make exemption determinations conditional on such restrictions, ending a current practice where DEP imposed these requirements even for exempt projects. This change applies retroactively to August 10, 2004, when the Highlands Act took effect.

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. It appropriates $1 million from the General Fund to fund construction, contracts with private marinas (via public bidding), or other solutions for public boat launches. The policy directly affects residents seeking recreational access to state lakes, such as Greenwood Lake, where public access has been limited as private marinas now restrict or charge for day-use access. Key provisions mandate DEP action if access cannot be provided due to funding constraints, requiring a report to the Governor and Legislature detailing the issue and needed resources.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges New Jersey's State Boards of Medical Examiners, Dentistry, Nursing, and Pharmacy to require health care professionals - including physicians, dentists, pharmacists, and nurses who prescribe or interact with opioid patients - to complete continuing education on opioid pain medication. The education would cover responsible prescribing practices, non-opioid pain management alternatives, and recognizing signs of opioid misuse or addiction. It specifically asks these boards to implement these requirements for the next two biennial license renewal cycles. As a resolution, it is a formal recommendation to the boards, not a binding law.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the transportation costs that school districts must cover for students attending county vocational schools outside their home county. The maximum amount the sending district must pay is set at the annual "aid-in-lieu" transportation amount used for nonpublic school students (e.g., $859 for the 2007-2008 school year). If actual transportation costs exceed this amount, the student’s parent or guardian becomes eligible to receive the aid-in-lieu amount to offset the difference. The bill does not change the requirement for districts to arrange transportation but caps their financial responsibility at the established aid-in-lieu rate.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A1121 prohibits the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) from charging municipalities a fee when processing renewals for plenary retail consumption licenses. This bill specifically amends state law to state that "the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control shall not charge a municipality a fee in connection with the renewal of this license." It directly affects municipalities that issue these licenses, which allow businesses to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption and off-premises sales in original containers. The bill does not change the license fees paid by businesses themselves, only prevents ABC from imposing additional renewal processing fees on municipalities.

Maddy summaryThis resolution creates a special committee called the "Assembly Select Committee on New Jersey Transit and the Bound Brook Flood" to investigate a 2021 flood event in Bound Brook, New Jersey. The committee will examine New Jersey Transit's role in the failure of a flood control system during Hurricane Ida (September 1, 2021), specifically whether a train blocking a flood gate contributed to the flooding that damaged homes and businesses. The committee will review NJ Transit's finances, operations, and management related to the flood control system and may recommend legislative actions to prevent similar failures in the future. This is a procedural resolution establishing an investigative body, not a law changing policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill would double the income eligibility limit for New Jersey's homestead property tax reimbursement program from $80,000 to $160,000 for both single and married applicants, effective for tax year 2017. The program provides property tax reimbursement to seniors (65+) and disabled residents who own or rent a primary home and have paid property taxes for 10+ consecutive years. By raising the income threshold, the bill allows more qualifying low-to-moderate income residents to receive reimbursement for property tax increases above their "base year" amount. It directly affects eligible seniors and disabled homeowners and renters statewide who currently exceed the $80,000 income limit.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey counties to establish mentoring programs where experienced farmers provide guidance to beginning farmers, and to resell preserved farmland to beginning farmers at reduced prices. Beginning farmers are defined as those who have never farmed before, have farmed for 10 years or less, or qualify as first-time farmers under federal law. Counties would be permitted to sell or lease farmland they preserved at a price below what the county paid, while maintaining agricultural deed restrictions on the land. The bill would also allow the State's pro rata share of proceeds from these sales to be reduced to reflect the lower price paid by beginning farmers. This policy aims to make farmland more accessible to new farmers while maintaining preservation goals.

Maddy summaryThis bill would amend New Jersey's automatic voter registration process at Motor Vehicle Commission locations. It specifically prohibits automatic voter registration for applicants seeking standard driver's licenses or identification cards, while maintaining the process for REAL ID applicants. Currently, eligible applicants for REAL ID licenses (which require proof of legal presence) are automatically registered to vote unless they decline. The bill changes the eligibility definition to exclude standard license applicants from this automatic registration process. This would prevent people applying for standard licenses (who don't need to provide proof of legal presence) from being automatically registered to vote at MVD locations.