Asm. Dawn Fantasia

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Main Street Economic Growth Program to support business development in small municipalities with populations under 11,000 that are county seats, contain opportunity zones, or are over 70% developed according to state land use data. The program provides tax credits equal to 15% of employee compensation expenses for businesses meeting specific criteria and participating in the program, along with financial assistance through a dedicated fund for loans, loan guarantees, and technical support. Municipalities must designate Main Street areas with a statement of economic development policy, and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority will administer the program, requiring annual reporting on its impact including jobs created and capital investment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A1056) requires the voter registration commissioner to move voters with mail-in ballots returned as undeliverable to an inactive file. If such voters fail to vote in two consecutive federal general elections, they will be permanently removed from the Statewide voter registration system and transferred to a deleted file. The commissioner must send written notices to affected voters at three key stages: when placed in the inactive file, when removal is initiated, and after removal. The bill directly affects voters who receive mail-in ballots but cannot be delivered, altering how the state manages inactive voter records.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that New Jersey's Fish and Game Council has sole authority to regulate freshwater fishing, hunting, and trapping. It amends state law to establish the council as the sole decision-maker for these activities, removing it from being part of the Division of Fish and Wildlife and instead locating it "in but not of" the division and the Department of Environmental Protection. The bill also specifies that lands acquired with hunters' and anglers' license funds, waterfowl stamp accounts, or federal fish and wildlife funds cannot be closed to fishing or hunting without the council's approval. This clarification responds to a recent Supreme Court decision that incorrectly gave the Commissioner of Environmental Protection veto power over the council's decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an exemption from New Jersey's Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act for commercial or industrial development within designated "commercial corridors" in the Highlands Region. A commercial corridor is defined as land with frontage on a State, county, or rail thoroughfare that's zoned for commercial or industrial use, or that a municipality deems necessary for economic viability. The exemption allows municipalities to exercise their planning or zoning authority for development in these corridors without being deemed inconsistent with the regional master plan. This specifically exempts construction or reconstruction of commercial or industrial development in these corridors from the Highlands permitting review program. The bill aims to balance environmental protection with appropriate economic development in the Highlands Region.

Maddy summaryThis bill would permit Sunday hunting for deer using firearms or bows on state wildlife management areas, private property, federal military lands (with installation approval), and the William J. Hughes Technical Center (with facility approval). Currently, Sunday hunting for deer is prohibited on these lands under New Jersey law. Hunters must still hold a valid firearm, bow, or "All Around Sportsman" license and follow all state hunting regulations. The bill does not change hunting seasons or other existing rules but explicitly allows Sunday hunting in specified locations.

Maddy summaryACR 15 is a New Jersey concurrent resolution condemning China's Hong Kong national security law, enacted on June 30, 2020. The resolution states the law was passed without public input, defines vague crimes (like separatism and collusion with foreign entities) with penalties up to life imprisonment, and undermines Hong Kong's autonomy by enabling Chinese government intervention in its legal system. It also notes the law has been used to arrest protesters and restrict freedoms, citing specific examples like the July 2020 arrest of a man for displaying a Hong Kong flag. The resolution is transmitted to U.S. officials as a formal statement of New Jersey's position, but has no legal effect on Hong Kong or China.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's civil service rules to allow public employers to bypass seniority in layoffs when a less senior employee has essential skills or qualifications. It applies to state, county, and municipal government positions across various departments, including police and fire departments. The key mechanism requires appointing authorities to certify to the Civil Service Commission that the less senior employee possesses specialized skills, licenses, or certifications that the more senior employee lacks and that these are essential for department operations. Counties and municipalities not following civil service rules must obtain approval from the Public Employment Relations Commission before implementing such layoffs. This policy change gives public employers flexibility to retain employees with critical skills during workforce reductions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Treasurer to prepare and submit a detailed report to the legislature within six months of enactment. The report must examine how New York taxes income earned by New Jersey residents who work for New York-based employers (including remotely from New Jersey), covering past tax credits granted, potential revenue impacts, legal barriers, and strategies to address perceived inequities. It specifically requests analysis of New York's tax practices, comparisons to how other states handle cross-state commuting, and recommendations for protecting New Jersey residents' tax liabilities. The report will include data on tax credits issued from 2011-2020 and estimates of savings if New Jersey could redirect tax payments from New York.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 29) is a symbolic statement urging the U.S. President to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) and stop funding it. It directly addresses the President, citing concerns about the WHO's pandemic response - including delayed actions, inconsistent guidance on masks, and perceived deference to China during the COVID-19 crisis - as reasons for withdrawal. The resolution does not create new law or change policy but expresses the New Jersey General Assembly’s position that the WHO’s failures and broad authority warrant U.S. disengagement. It is a non-binding request, not a legislative mandate.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a 2018 surtax on non-public utility businesses with over $1 million in taxable net income. It eliminates the 2.5% surtax rate for 2018-2019 and the 1.5% rate for 2020-2021, removing this tax obligation for qualifying businesses. The repeal applies to all future tax periods starting January 1, 2019, and takes effect immediately. This directly affects businesses subject to New Jersey’s Corporation Business Tax that previously paid this additional surcharge.