Asm. Dawn Fantasia

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1069) requires New Jersey school districts hosting high school college or career fairs to notify all registered apprenticeship programs in their county about the event. School districts must provide the fair's date, time, location, and registration instructions for apprenticeship programs to participate. The law directly affects school districts organizing such fairs and registered apprenticeship programs seeking to attend. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's investor-owned electric utilities to create and maintain a toll-free phone number for the public to report two specific safety issues: damaged distribution infrastructure (like broken power lines or poles) and dangerous vegetation (such as trees touching power lines). Utilities must include this number and a brief explanation on every customer's bill and prominently on their website homepage. The bill defines "distribution infrastructure" as the grid components between substations and customers (excluding the final connection to individual homes) and "dangerous vegetation" as any plant matter interfering with that infrastructure. It takes effect immediately but has a 60-day delay for implementation after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey property tax notices to clearly explain how a property's assessed value directly affects the tax bill. It mandates that annual assessment notices include a specific statement: "This assessment will be used to calculate your property tax bill" and details on filing appeals, with deadlines in bold. The change applies to all property taxpayers receiving annual notices, including those in counties using special assessment programs. The notice must now show current/prior assessments and include appeal instructions for properties valued over $1 million, which can be appealed to the county board or Tax Court.

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents certain New Jersey school districts from facing state aid cuts during the 2023-2024 school year. It guarantees eligible districts receive state aid equal to their highest amount from the 2020-2021, 2021-2022, or 2022-2023 school years. The state will cover the cost using federal pandemic relief funds (like the American Rescue Plan Act), not state funds. It applies to districts that previously had a "positive State aid differential" under existing law and were scheduled for reductions.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey taxpayers to claim a state income tax deduction for charitable donations made to qualifying New Jersey-based organizations. It mirrors the federal deduction limit (under IRS Section 170) for donations that would be deductible on federal returns, without requiring taxpayers to itemize federal deductions. To qualify, organizations must be registered under New Jersey's Charitable Registration Act or meet specific in-state presence requirements (maintaining an office, employing staff, and providing services in New Jersey). The deduction applies to donations made in tax years beginning January 1 following enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits municipalities with school districts receiving specific state education aid from exempting school property taxes on new urban renewal projects. It applies to financial agreements executed after the bill's effective date, requiring that school taxes be paid instead of being waived for these projects. The rule specifically affects the school portion of property taxes, not other taxes, and targets school districts qualifying for state education aid under current law (formerly known as "Abbott districts").

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A412 prohibits the Secretary of State from approving voting machines or systems from vendors that are foreign companies, domestic companies exporting voting technology overseas, or companies with significant foreign ownership (major shareholders who are non-U.S. citizens). It requires all qualifying vendors to be U.S.-based and mandates annual compliance reviews for contractors before primary elections. The bill also requires thorough vendor vetting during all procurement processes for voting systems. Existing contracts approved before the law's effective date remain valid until expiration, with new contracts subject to these rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes clear conditions for public employers in New Jersey (including state agencies, counties, municipalities, school districts, and higher education institutions) to grant unpaid or paid leave to public employees serving as union officers or representatives. For unpaid leave, the employer must have a collective bargaining agreement or addendum naming the employee and specifying leave dates. For paid leave, the agreement must require the labor organization to reimburse the employer in advance for all costs (salary, benefits, retirement, and taxes) with detailed documentation. Employers must notify relevant state agencies in writing about each leave and maintain a public file containing all relevant information. The bill aims to ensure transparency and accountability for public funds used to support union activities during employees' work time.

Maddy summaryAR 86 is a symbolic Assembly Resolution expressing New Jersey's support for Israel following Hamas' October 7, 2023 attacks. It condemns Hamas for launching a "massive, unprovoked war" involving rocket attacks, killings, abductions, and violence against civilians (citing 1,400 Israeli deaths and 30 American citizens among the casualties). The resolution formally supports Israel "as it defends itself" and directs copies to Israel's Prime Minister, U.S. ambassadors to Israel and the U.S., and New Jersey's members of Congress. As a non-binding resolution, it does not enact new laws but publicly affirms New Jersey's stance on the conflict.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes slingshots from New Jersey's definition of "weapon" in state law, decriminalizing both the manufacture and possession of slingshots. Currently, possessing a slingshot could be charged as a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months in prison or $10,000 fine) unless the person had a lawful purpose for carrying it. The change means people who simply possess or make slingshots for traditional recreational use, including children's play, will no longer face criminal charges. The bill does not alter the broader definition of "weapon" that covers items "readily capable of lethal use," so slingshots could still be treated as weapons if used for harmful purposes. This eliminates the burden of proving lawful conduct for individuals possessing slingshots for peaceful activities.