Asm. Dawn Fantasia

Maddy summaryACR 14 proposes a constitutional amendment to restore the death penalty for certain murder convictions in New Jersey, requiring voter approval. It would mandate that juries find "no doubt" that aggravating circumstances outweigh mitigating factors (a stricter standard than the previous "beyond reasonable doubt" requirement) before imposing a death sentence, and require that any lingering doubt prevent the sentence. The amendment also sets strict deadlines: the New Jersey Supreme Court must decide death penalty appeals within 150 days, and post-conviction appeals must end within one year after U.S. Supreme Court review. If approved, it would apply only to crimes committed after January 1 of the year following voter approval.

Maddy summaryThe School Safety and Security Act (A172) creates fourth-degree criminal penalties for specific actions that threaten school safety, including entering school property after being prohibited, providing false identification, tampering with security devices, falsely triggering emergency protocols, or leaking school safety plans without permission. It also criminalizes interfering with school bus operations or entering occupied school buses without consent. These provisions apply to anyone on school property (e.g., visitors, students, or others), but exclude law enforcement, emergency responders, and news coverage during emergencies. The bill aims to protect school safety by addressing targeted behaviors that could disrupt operations or trigger unnecessary emergency responses.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how judges are appointed for certain municipal courts in New Jersey. It removes the Governor and Senate from appointing judges for joint municipal courts (created by two or more municipalities) and central municipal courts (county-wide courts), shifting authority to local agreements or county officials. For joint courts, the appointment method would be set in the municipalities' agreement (filed with the courts). For central courts, county executives (in counties with that role) or county governing bodies would appoint judges instead of the Governor. Single-municipality courts remain appointed locally as they are now.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the State Planning Commission to create and adopt model buffer ordinances that specify regulatory rules for siting warehouses near zoning district boundaries, including design standards and setbacks. Municipalities can then update their local master plans and zoning ordinances to align with these state model rules. The bill defines "warehouse" broadly to include distribution centers, flex-warehouses, and any facility storing goods for later retail or wholesale distribution. This provides standardized options for local governments to manage warehouse development while maintaining zoning consistency.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax credit for New Jersey farmers who operate qualifying "farming businesses" (like crop or livestock operations). It allows them to calculate their state income tax using an average of their farming income over four years (current year plus three prior years), smoothing out volatile profits and losses. The credit equals the tax difference between the standard calculation and the averaged version, with a maximum annual credit of $5,000. This directly benefits farmers facing income fluctuations due to weather, market changes, or other agricultural risks.

Maddy summaryThe "Local Governmental Process Activities Disclosure Act" (A186) requires paid governmental affairs agents who seek to influence local government decisions to disclose their activities. Agents must file notices of representation with the Election Law Enforcement Commission before influencing local measures, regulations, or processes, and submit quarterly activity reports and annual reports detailing their spending. The bill limits gifts to local officials to $250 per year and requires written reports of benefits provided to officials by February 1 each year. This law applies to all local government levels including municipalities, counties, authorities, and school districts, increasing transparency about who influences local government decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new first-degree crime called "home invasion" for entering a residence with intent to commit certain serious crimes (like robbery, sexual assault, or kidnapping) while another person is present and using force, threats, or being armed. It mandates a 10-30 year prison sentence with 85% served without parole under the No Early Release Act. Additionally, it upgrades burglary of a residence to a second-degree crime if anyone other than the offender is present in the home (regardless of the offender’s knowledge), increasing the maximum sentence from 5 years to 10 years. These changes directly affect individuals committing such offenses in residential settings.

Maddy summaryAssembly Resolution 14 (AR 14) urges the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate and take action against manufacturers labeling non-dairy products (like almond or soy milk) as "milk," referencing the FDA's existing definition that "milk" must come from dairy animals. The resolution argues such labeling misleads consumers about nutritional benefits - since non-dairy products lack the calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients in dairy milk - and harms dairy farmers by reducing demand for traditional dairy products. It does not create new law but formally requests FDA enforcement, with copies sent to the FDA Commissioner and New Jersey's congressional delegation.

Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment (ACR 54) would prohibit both New Jersey state and federal laws from requiring individuals to obtain health insurance, employers to provide health benefits coverage to employees, or healthcare providers (like hospitals or doctors) to participate in any health coverage plan or program. If approved by voters, it would amend New Jersey’s Constitution to add a new provision protecting personal freedom in health care choices. The amendment would need voter approval at the next general election following legislative passage. This is a procedural step toward potentially changing the state constitution’s health care provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) from planning, designing, or constructing a rock wall between milepost 1.00 and 1.50 on Interstate 80. It requires DOT to analyze all feasible non-rock wall alternatives for rock fall mitigation in that specific 0.5-mile highway segment before proceeding with any project. The law applies only to this defined section of I-80 and mandates a full review of alternatives excluding rock walls. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.