Asm. Dawn Fantasia

Maddy summaryThis bill (A245) limits how New Jersey school districts can use "cap banking" to increase property taxes. It clarifies that districts may only bank unused tax levy capacity if they had a decrease in their current year tax levy, and prohibits any single year increase exceeding 6% over the prior year's levy. Districts that use cap banking in one year cannot use it for the next two consecutive years, requiring them to rebuild their banked amount before future use. The bill directly affects all New Jersey school districts that rely on cap banking to exceed annual tax levy limits. These changes aim to prevent large, sudden property tax hikes by restricting how districts can accumulate and deploy unused levy capacity.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electronic voting system vendors to disclose any 5% or greater ownership interests in the company, its subsidiaries, or parent company to the New Jersey Secretary of State before their systems can be approved for election use. Vendors must also report any future ownership changes exceeding a 5% threshold. The law aims to increase transparency around voting system ownership, following similar measures in Maryland and North Carolina to address election security concerns.

Maddy summaryACR 43 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit most emergency orders, rules, or regulations issued by New Jersey's Governor to a 14-day period during a declared state of emergency. These measures would automatically terminate on the 15th day unless the Legislature passes a concurrent resolution extending the period. The amendment does not apply to orders rescinding previous emergency actions, those required by federal law, orders affecting only the executive branch, National Guard commands, or orders issued under other existing legal authorities that already allow longer durations. This change would shift oversight from the Governor to the Legislature for extending emergency powers beyond two weeks.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts fuel used for school buses transporting students to or from school or school activities by religious, charitable, or public agencies from New Jersey's petroleum products gross receipts tax and motor fuel tax. It clarifies that dyed fuel (unless used on public highways) is exempt from the gross receipts tax, aligning with existing motor fuel tax treatment. The bill also clarifies estate tax determination for New Jersey resident decedents dying between January 1, 2017 and January 1, 2018, by removing the deduction for taxes paid to other states. To claim the school bus fuel exemption, purchasers must pay tax at purchase and file a refund claim with the Division of Taxation. The school bus exemption applies to fuel used starting the first day of the month following enactment, while the estate tax clarification applies retroactively to estates of decedents dying on or after January 1, 2017.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's firearm background check system to prioritize applications from individuals who have obtained domestic violence restraining orders against their abusers. The bill amends state law to ensure that when an applicant has a restraining order in effect under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991, their background check takes precedence over other applicants' checks. The application forms for firearm permits and identification cards will now include a question about whether the applicant has such a restraining order to flag these applications for priority processing. This change aims to help domestic violence victims more quickly obtain necessary documentation to legally possess firearms for their protection. The bill does not change who is prohibited from owning firearms, but rather streamlines the process for those who have legal protections in place.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts the New Jersey Commissioner of Education's authority to reject school district budget proposals solely because a district proposes a lower general fund tax levy or total budget than in the previous year. It directly affects school districts that wish to reduce property tax rates or overall spending without facing commissioner intervention for that specific reason. The key provision amends state law to explicitly state the commissioner "shall not reject" such budgets based on lower tax levies, while preserving other commissioner powers related to educational standards and budget adjustments. The change takes effect immediately for the next school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $10 million annually from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues for grants to support lake management activities focused on recreation and conservation. The Department of Environmental Protection will administer the program, prioritizing projects in the Highlands Region and Pinelands area that improve water quality and increase recreational access, including efforts to prevent harmful algal blooms. Qualified entities, including the Greenwood Lake Commission and Lake Hopatcong Commission, will receive guaranteed minimum annual grants of $750,000 each, with additional funding available for local government units. The grants can fund stormwater management and pollution control to enhance lake use for recreation and conservation purposes.

Maddy summaryACR 16 proposes adding a specific right to keep and bear arms to New Jersey's state constitution, explicitly stating "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." Currently, the state constitution protects rights like life, liberty, and property but does not explicitly include firearm ownership. If approved, this amendment would align New Jersey's constitution with the Supreme Court's interpretation of the federal Second Amendment (applied to states via the Fourteenth Amendment), making state-level firearm rights protection explicit. The proposal requires voter approval at the next general election following legislative passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A146) prohibits New Jersey state agencies from requiring or considering whether municipalities in the Highlands planning area comply with the regional master plan when making decisions about grants, loans, permits, or other approvals. It specifically blocks agencies like the Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Transportation, and Highlands Water Protection Council from mandating that local governments revise their master plans to match the regional plan or using compliance as a factor in funding or permit decisions. The bill directly affects municipalities in Morris, Sussex, and Warren counties (the Highlands planning area) by reducing state oversight of their local land-use regulations. It takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill would exempt volunteer emergency service organizations in New Jersey from paying registration filing fees under the state's Charitable Registration and Investigation Act. It specifically applies to non-profit organizations providing emergency medical care, rescue services, patient transport, or fire protection, including part-paid fire departments and fire districts. Currently, charitable organizations raising $25,000 or less must pay a $30 fee for short form registration, while those raising more must pay higher fees for long form registration. The exemption would apply regardless of an organization's revenue amount, removing these administrative costs for these volunteer groups. This change would reduce the financial burden on these organizations that serve critical community safety needs.