Asm. Dawn Fantasia

Maddy summaryACR 18 proposes a constitutional amendment to expand the Council on Local Mandates' authority in New Jersey. Currently limited to reviewing laws enacted after 1996, the amendment would allow the Council to examine *all* existing state laws, rules, and regulations - regardless of when they were adopted - to identify unfunded mandates on local governments. The Council would then advise the Legislature on eliminating or modifying these mandates and review pending bills to flag potential unfunded mandates before they become law. This directly affects school districts, counties, and municipalities facing costs without dedicated state funding. The amendment does not change the Council's structure or exempt specific mandate categories like federal compliance requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires cemetery companies established before December 1, 1971, to maintain a minimum of $37,500 in their Maintenance and Preservation Fund. Currently, these older cemeteries must transfer all existing maintenance funds into the fund but lack a specified minimum balance. The bill mandates that any funds exceeding $37,500 must be used directly for cemetery maintenance and preservation. This change aligns the requirement for pre-1971 cemeteries with the existing $75,000 minimum for newer cemetery companies.

Maddy summaryACR 36 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase New Jersey's veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $500 annually, phased in over five years (reaching $500 by 2027). It directly affects honorably discharged veterans and surviving spouses who meet residency requirements. The amendment would adjust the deduction amount incrementally: $300 in 2023, $350 in 2024, $400 in 2025, $450 in 2026, and $500 starting in 2027. This change would replace the current $250 deduction, which has not been raised since 1999. The proposal requires voter approval via referendum after legislative passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows certain drivers to renew their licenses online or by mail instead of in-person. It specifically applies to individuals with a valid commercial driver license who already hold a federal Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TSA) or a hazardous materials endorsement requiring TSA fingerprinting and background checks. These individuals have already met REAL-ID requirements through their existing federal credentials, so the bill removes the need for them to visit a Motor Vehicle Commission office to renew their licenses into REAL-ID compliant versions. This change aims to reduce wait times for in-person appointments while ensuring compliance with federal identification standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits using fetal tissue obtained from elective abortions for any research purposes and bans using any fetal tissue (regardless of source) for cosmetic research. It amends New Jersey law to make these uses illegal, with violations punishable by fines up to $50,000 per offense. The bill does not restrict research using fetal tissue from miscarriages or stillbirths, nor does it affect existing rules about donating unused embryos from fertility treatments or genetic testing for health reasons. This policy change directly impacts researchers and institutions seeking to use such tissue for the banned purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows individuals diagnosed with a traumatic or acquired brain injury by a licensed healthcare professional to voluntarily note this on their New Jersey driver's license, ID card, and MVC registry. It creates a secure statewide registry where users can provide vehicle details and emergency contacts, accessible only to law enforcement during traffic stops to improve communication. The bill also mandates annual training for all police departments on de-escalation techniques and using the registry when interacting with people with such injuries. The registry information is protected from public disclosure and can be updated or removed by the user at any time.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 18) is a symbolic statement condemning the People's Republic of China's treatment of the Uyghur ethnic group, which includes reported mass internment and religious repression. It specifically addresses the Chinese government by directing copies to the U.S. Secretary of State, China's U.S. ambassador, and China's UN representative. The resolution affirms New Jersey's commitment to religious freedom and diversity, referencing the state constitution's protection of conscience. As a non-binding resolution, it does not impose legal requirements but expresses legislative opposition to the reported human rights concerns.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey mail-in ballot outer envelopes from displaying any visible political affiliation or designation. It affects all voters who participate in mail-in elections across the state. The key provision requires county clerks to ensure both the outer envelope and the envelope used to mail ballot materials to voters don't contain political party information on their exterior. This change applies to all mail-in ballots, including those for primary elections. The policy aims to maintain voter privacy by preventing political information from being visible on ballot envelopes.

Maddy summaryAssembly Resolution 12 urges Congress to require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to submit biennial reports on vaccine safety improvements, as mandated by the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986. The resolution states HHS has failed to submit these required reports since 1989, violating a federal law that demands transparency about actions taken to enhance vaccine safety. This resolution does not create new law but calls for Congress to enforce an existing federal obligation. Copies are sent to Congress, the HHS Secretary, and New Jersey's congressional delegation to prompt compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies to include socio-economic impact statements prepared by representatives of the affected public in proposed rule-making. Agencies must contact a representative from the regulated community who has previously provided substantial written comments on similar rules, allowing them to prepare a statement describing the rule's expected economic impact, costs, and job effects. The agency must include this full statement in the proposed rule published in the New Jersey Register, with the Office of Administrative Law potentially requiring the representative to cover proportional printing and distribution costs. Agencies may exempt this requirement if they find the rule would impose insignificant socio-economic impact, but must explain their finding in the notice.