Asm. Dawn Fantasia

Maddy summaryThis bill requires state and local farmland preservation agencies to pay landowners an advance payment of 20 percent of the estimated sale price before the final settlement is completed. The advance payment is intended to demonstrate the agency's good faith commitment to proceed with the acquisition and is deducted from the final purchase price if the deal goes through. If the acquisition agreement is cancelled or abandoned before settlement, the landowner must repay the advance amount, which becomes a debt owed to the government and can be secured by a lien on the landowner's property. The legislation applies to both the State Agricultural Development Committee and any local boards acquiring farmland for preservation purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the New Jersey Right to Home Defense Law, clarifies and expands the legal protections for individuals defending their homes against intruders by amending existing state statutes on the use of force. It establishes that residents have no duty to retreat from their own residences when facing an unlawful intrusion or attack, allowing them to use force to protect themselves and others without fear of prosecution. The law permits the use of deadly force only when a person reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent death or serious bodily harm, while maintaining restrictions against using force to resist lawful arrests or when the defender provoked the confrontation. These changes aim to reinforce the "castle doctrine" principle that a person's home is a protected space where they may defend themselves without the obligation to flee.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey taxpayers to have their state gross income tax refunds automatically applied to any overdue local property taxes they owe. It directly affects residents who receive tax refunds, earned income tax credits, or homestead rebates while having delinquent property tax accounts. The key mechanism requires the state to withhold these refunds and send the money to municipal tax collectors to pay off the debt, with child support obligations taking priority over other debts. Local tax collectors must identify delinquent taxpayers and report them to the state, which then notifies affected residents about the withheld amounts.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts how cash assistance recipients in New Jersey can use their electronic benefit cards by prohibiting their use at casinos, adult entertainment venues, adult bookstores, liquor stores, travel agencies, and cruise booking locations. It requires the state to implement a statewide electronic benefit distribution system that provides cash assistance and food stamp benefits through a single benefit card, while allowing transaction fees after three free ATM withdrawals per month. The legislation also mandates that county agencies issue photo identification cards to adult recipients until the electronic system is fully implemented, and requires the Commissioner of Human Services to apply for necessary federal waivers and adopt rules to enforce these restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates April 18 of each year as "Worker Safety Day" in New Jersey to raise public awareness about workplace safety. It directly affects employers, workers, government agencies, and communities by encouraging them to collaborate on maintaining safe working environments. The resolution requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation calling for appropriate activities and programs to observe the day. The bill does not create new regulations or funding but serves as a commemorative measure to highlight the importance of preventing occupational injuries and fatalities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that medication be administered only by a registered nurse or a certified medication aide working under a nurse's supervision in licensed residential programs and day programs for individuals with developmental disabilities. It mandates that parents or legal guardians provide detailed medical documentation with specific medication instructions and dosages before admission and whenever a medication or dosage is changed. The legislation also authorizes the Department of Human Services to create rules necessary to implement these requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new supplemental weekly benefit for New Jersey workers receiving disability or death compensation for injuries or deaths that occurred after December 31, 1979, starting July 1, 2026. The additional payments are funded by the state General Fund rather than employers and are calculated to maintain the same proportion of the maximum benefit rate as the worker's original award. Payments begin at 33.3% of the base amount in 2027, increase to 66.7% in 2028, and reach 100% in 2029, with adjustments to ensure total benefits do not exceed federal Social Security limits. Employers must notify the Division of Workers' Compensation within 60 days if supplemental benefits are needed, or they become responsible for paying those benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes stricter penalties for criminal acts committed on school property in New Jersey, directly affecting students, staff, visitors, and anyone interacting with school facilities. It creates a fourth-degree crime for unauthorized entry, providing false information to security personnel, tampering with security devices, interfering with safety protocols, or intentionally causing alarms that trigger emergency responses. Additionally, the legislation restricts access to school safety plans and prohibits filming or posting security procedures online without official permission to protect sensitive information.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special registration program in New Jersey for street rods and custom motor vehicles, allowing owners to legally register these unique cars separately from standard vehicles. The legislation defines street rods as pre-1948 vehicles or replicas that have been altered from their original design, while custom vehicles are at least 25 years old or resemble older models and have been modified. Owners must certify that these vehicles will not be used for general daily transportation but can be driven for occasional use, exhibitions, club events, parades, and tours. The bill establishes a unique license plate design in consultation with the National Street Rod Association and requires a $50 initial fee plus an annual $10 fee, while exempting these vehicles from certain modern safety equipment requirements that would normally apply.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public utilities and cable television companies to move or remove their facilities when the Department of Transportation needs to build, repair, or maintain transportation infrastructure projects. The Department of Transportation will direct these companies to relocate equipment such as pipes, cables, and towers, and the state will cover the costs of moving and reinstalling these facilities. However, companies may be responsible for paying for pre-engineering, field testing, and design costs if delays occur due to their own actions. The bill also establishes that the state can audit reimbursement records within three years of project completion to ensure only allowable costs are covered. This legislation applies to all public utilities and cable providers operating within New Jersey's transportation infrastructure projects.