Asm. John DiMaio

Maddy summaryACR 47 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how New Jersey municipalities calculate their affordable housing obligations. Currently, these obligations are based on regional housing needs; this amendment would require the Legislature to establish a single statewide calculation for all affordable housing needs instead. Municipalities would no longer need to meet regional targets but would instead be bound by a statewide requirement for affordable housing units. The amendment would take effect only if approved by voters in the next general election following legislative passage.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A968) allows municipalities to challenge COAH (Council on Affordable Housing) orders requiring non-redevelopment housing projects on undeveloped land, unless the order addresses exclusionary zoning practices in that municipality. It excludes flood-prone land from affordable housing vacant land analysis, meaning land below flood elevation standards or within 100 feet of certain water bodies cannot be counted toward housing requirements. The bill caps a municipality's affordable housing obligation at a 5% population increase over a 10-year period, replacing the previous 1,000-unit limit. These provisions aim to balance housing needs with municipal planning considerations and environmental protections. The Department of Environmental Protection must develop rules for identifying flood-prone lands within seven months of enactment.

Maddy summaryAJR 35 designates March of each year as "Women Veterans Month" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and residents to observe the month with activities honoring women veterans. It does not create new programs, funding, or legal requirements. This commemorative resolution directly affects all New Jersey residents by establishing an annual observance to recognize women veterans' service. The bill focuses solely on ceremonial recognition, not policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's test for determining whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor under state labor laws. It eliminates two of the three factors in the current "ABC test" that employers must prove to classify a worker as an independent contractor. Specifically, it removes the requirements that the work must be outside the usual business operations (factor B) and that the worker must be in an independently established trade (factor C). Now, only the "control" factor (whether the worker is free from employer control) will be considered. This change directly affects workers' eligibility for benefits under New Jersey's unemployment compensation, wage payment, and disability laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) to calculate each municipality's affordable housing obligations on a statewide basis, rather than using local or regional methods. It mandates that COAH produce a report every five years analyzing the ratio of median home maintenance costs (including property taxes, mortgage, insurance, and utilities) to statewide median household income. This report will update the statewide calculation method used to determine housing obligations. The change directly affects all municipalities required to meet New Jersey's affordable housing goals under state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how New Jersey municipalities calculate their affordable housing requirements. It adds specific factors for adjusting these requirements, including population size, water and sewer capacity, school class sizes, public safety services, and transportation impacts. The bill also establishes a population-based cap, limiting affordable housing obligations to no more than a 5% increase in municipal population over a 10-year period. This applies to all municipalities required to meet fair share affordable housing obligations under state law, aiming to balance housing needs with local service capacity.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey homeowners to deduct the full amount of state property taxes paid on their principal residence from their gross income tax, removing the current $15,000 annual cap. It directly affects homeowners who pay state property taxes on their primary residence, as they would no longer be limited to deducting only up to $15,000 of those taxes. The key change eliminates the existing deduction limit, permitting full deduction of all qualifying property taxes paid in the calendar year. This applies to both homeowners and renters (who deduct "rent constituting property taxes"), but the bill specifically targets the property tax deduction cap for primary residences. The change would take effect for taxable years beginning January 1, 2022.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1118) revises New Jersey's tax rates for married couples filing jointly, aiming to reduce the "marriage penalty" where joint filers pay more tax than if they filed separately. It increases the threshold for the lowest tax bracket from $20,000 to $40,000 for joint filers and changes the tax rate for income between $40,000 and $70,000 from 2.5% to 1.75%. These changes apply to taxable years beginning January 1, 2020, and directly affect married couples who file joint tax returns in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryACR 46 proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit exclusionary zoning practices that block affordable housing development for low- and moderate-income residents. It directly affects New Jersey municipalities by banning zoning rules (like single-family-only restrictions) that prevent diverse housing options, without requiring towns to build affordable units themselves. The amendment clarifies that municipalities cannot use exclusionary zoning but also removes any obligation to construct or fund housing, ending lawsuits that previously forced specific housing projects. This change aims to resolve longstanding legal disputes over housing access while maintaining the state's commitment to non-discriminatory zoning. The amendment requires voter approval at the next general election.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's EMT Training Fund to reimburse costs for emergency medical technician (EMT) training provided to volunteer firefighters, in addition to the existing coverage for volunteer ambulance, first aid, and rescue squad members. It establishes a priority order for reimbursement, starting with EMT-A certification and recertification, followed by EMT-D, EMT-B, and epinephrine auto-injector training. The law also prohibits training providers from charging fees to eligible volunteer members of these groups. These changes ensure consistent funding for EMT training across volunteer emergency response organizations.