Rep. John DiMaio

Maddy summaryAJR 52 designates the third full week in May each year as "Roxie's Wish: Drowning Prevention Week for Children" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging communities, schools, and officials to promote drowning prevention awareness through local activities. It focuses on raising public awareness about proven safety strategies, such as close adult supervision, pool barriers, swimming lessons, and life jackets for non-swimmers. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents, particularly parents and caregivers of young children, by highlighting preventable drowning risks. This is a procedural resolution with no new regulations, solely aimed at increasing community awareness.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $450,000 from the "Drug Enforcement and Demand Reduction Fund" (funded by fines from drug offenders) to support the Hooked on Fishing-Not on Drugs Program. The program, administered by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, uses free fishing events to engage youth in drug prevention activities. The bill requires the state to ensure annual funding from this fund or other sources to maintain the program's operations. It does not create new policy but secures dedicated funding for an existing youth outreach initiative.

Maddy summaryThis bill transfers oversight of on-farm dairy processing inspections from the Department of Health to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. It requires the Agriculture Department to collaborate with the Department of Health and local health boards when conducting these inspections. The bill also authorizes the Agriculture Secretary to create implementing rules under existing state law. This change directly affects dairy farmers and processors operating on-farm facilities in New Jersey by shifting their inspection responsibility to a new agency. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Military Family Relief Fund, allowing taxpayers to voluntarily contribute to it through their state income tax return. The fund would provide grants up to $2,500 to cover essential expenses like food, housing, and medical costs for eligible military members, veterans, and their families who reside in New Jersey and demonstrate financial hardship. To qualify, applicants must have lived in New Jersey for at least 12 consecutive months, provide proof of hardship, and cannot receive more than one grant per year. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs would administer the program, with funds annually appropriated from the relief fund for these grants.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey taxpayers to voluntarily contribute to the state's General Fund when filing their gross income tax return. Taxpayers could choose to direct part of their tax refund or add a separate contribution, with administrative costs deducted before net funds are deposited into the General Fund. The General Fund is the primary account for most state revenues, funding essential government operations and appropriations. The bill requires the Division of Taxation to implement this option on tax forms for taxable years beginning after its enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 619) creates a new criminal offense for "doxxing," defined as knowingly sharing someone's personal details (like address or phone number) online without consent to cause fear of harm, violence, or stalking. It specifically targets disclosures that create a serious risk of bodily injury, stalking, or severe emotional distress (mental anguish) to the person or their close relations - such as family, household members, or close associates. Exceptions apply for good-faith disclosures to the public about suspected unlawful conduct, to law enforcement, or during official investigations. Violations are a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fine), escalating to a third-degree crime if serious harm occurs.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 32) creates a temporary, bipartisan committee to study New Jersey's historical claims to Staten Island. The 12-member committee - six appointed by the Assembly Speaker and six by the Minority Leader - will investigate colonial land grants, the 1834 boundary compact, and relevant legal history to explore potential annexation pathways. It will examine lawful options for New Jersey to pursue annexation, but only with consent from Staten Island residents, New York State, and the U.S. Congress. The committee will produce a final report and expire upon completion of its work. This is purely an investigative measure with no immediate policy impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an 18-month mandatory prison term (with no parole eligibility during this period) for a second or subsequent offense involving an adult (18+ years) who knowingly uses, hires, or directs a juvenile (17 or younger) to commit automobile theft. It directly affects adults who exploit minors in car theft crimes, adding a strict penalty on top of existing second-degree crime charges. The law explicitly states that mistakenly believing the minor was older than 17 is not a valid defense. This change applies only to repeat offenses, leaving first-time penalties unchanged under current law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to create a program providing one-time grants of up to $10,000 to qualified veterans purchasing franchises in the state. It directly affects veterans who are approved by the EDA and operating or planning to operate a franchise at a New Jersey location. Key provisions include the EDA establishing application procedures, prioritizing veterans who apply within six months of the bill's effective date, and requiring grantees to report how they used the funds within one year. The program aims to support veteran entrepreneurs by reducing startup costs for franchise ownership.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to require used motor vehicle dealers operating within multi-dealer locations (single buildings housing multiple dealerships) to maintain specific business hours. It mandates that such dealers schedule at least four hours per week Monday through Saturday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., with either the licensee or an authorized representative physically present during those hours. The requirement applies only to dealers in multi-dealer complexes, not standalone dealerships, and specifies that a "multi-dealer location" must comply with commission regulations. This change directly affects used vehicle dealers in shared commercial spaces, adding operational transparency requirements to existing licensing rules.