Asm. Dawn Fantasia

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates three real estate transfer fees in New Jersey: a supplemental fee on residential property transactions (created in 2003), a one percent fee on commercial property transfers over $1 million, and a tax on controlling interests in commercial real estate. It directly affects sellers of residential properties (excluding those who qualify as senior citizens, blind, or disabled) and buyers/sellers of commercial properties valued above $1 million. The supplemental fee was a graduated charge based on property value, while the one percent fee applied specifically to commercial transactions exceeding $1 million. Repealing these fees reduces transaction costs, with a $2 million commercial property transaction saving $20,000. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the maximum distance for nonpublic school busing from 20 miles to 30 miles in ten New Jersey counties: Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Ocean, Salem, Sussex, and Warren. It requires school districts to use existing bus stops for students living within 20 miles of the nonpublic school. The State will cover the cost of transportation or an in-lieu-of payment for eligible students, up to a set statutory amount. This change applies to students attending nonpublic schools located within 30 miles of their home in these counties.

Maddy summaryThis procedural bill updates New Jersey's Civil Service statutes by replacing references to "Civil Service Commission" with "chairperson of the commission" to clarify who is responsible for certain duties. It also transfers the State Employee Awards Committee from the Civil Service Commission to the Department of the Treasury, making technical corrections to clarify authority within the civil service system without creating new policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow individuals 18 years of age or older to possess bear spray for the purpose of repelling aggressive bears during outdoor activities like hiking and biking. Currently, New Jersey law limits personal defense sprays to devices containing no more than 3/4 ounce, but EPA-approved bear spray typically contains 7.6 ounces. The bill specifically permits possession of bear spray products that are EPA-approved and clearly labeled as such. It also provides civil immunity for reasonable use of bear spray in self-defense against bears, while maintaining that willful or grossly negligent use would not be protected.

Maddy summaryThis bill would amend New Jersey's automatic voter registration process at Motor Vehicle Commission locations. It specifically prohibits automatic voter registration for applicants seeking standard driver's licenses or identification cards, while maintaining the process for REAL ID applicants. Currently, eligible applicants for REAL ID licenses (which require proof of legal presence) are automatically registered to vote unless they decline. The bill changes the eligibility definition to exclude standard license applicants from this automatic registration process. This would prevent people applying for standard licenses (who don't need to provide proof of legal presence) from being automatically registered to vote at MVD locations.

Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment would guarantee New Jersey registered voters the right to vote in person at their local polling place on election day. It would require voters to submit a written request to receive a mail-in ballot, rather than automatically receiving one. The amendment aims to prevent future laws or executive orders from restricting in-person voting options or sending mail-in ballots to all voters without an individual request. It does not change current voting methods but establishes these requirements as constitutional rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a $17 million supplemental appropriation for New Jersey's Fiscal Year 2023 budget to fund lake management grants through the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The grants will support qualified entities - including lake commissions (like the Lake Hopatcong Commission), local governments, and nonprofits focused on publicly accessible lakes - to cover costs for maintenance, water quality improvement, and preventing harmful algal blooms. The DEP must establish a program prioritizing projects that enhance public access, recreational use, and conservation, with funds also covering eligible stormwater and pollution management activities that directly benefit lake use. This one-time funding is specifically directed at lake management activities for recreation and conservation purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes income limits on New Jersey's tax exclusion for pension and retirement income. Currently, taxpayers aged 62 or older (or disabled) with incomes up to $150,000 can exclude some pension income, with reduced exclusions for those earning $100,000-$150,000. The bill eliminates the $150,000 income cap and the reduced exclusion for higher earners, allowing all eligible taxpayers to claim the full exclusion regardless of income level. It would affect New Jersey residents who receive pension or retirement income as part of their income, particularly those with higher incomes who currently receive reduced tax benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that BB guns commonly used for recreation (which fire small pellets using air or compressed air at low speed) are not classified as firearms under New Jersey law. As a result, these devices will no longer require firearm permits, background checks, or other licensing under state law. The amendment specifically excludes such BB guns from the legal definition of "firearm" in New Jersey statutes. This change directly affects BB gun owners, retailers, and law enforcement by removing firearm regulatory requirements for these devices. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates two fees on high-value residential real estate transactions: the "general purpose fee" and a one percent assessment on properties selling for more than $1 million. It directly affects sellers (who would no longer pay the general purpose fee) and buyers (who would no longer pay the one percent assessment) of residential properties priced above this threshold. The general purpose fee was calculated in tiers based on property value, with rates ranging from $0.90 to $2.15 per $500 of value, while the one percent assessment applied to the full purchase price over $1 million. For example, a $1.5 million property purchase would save the buyer $15,000 under this bill. The bill would take effect for property transfers occurring on or after the second calendar month following its enactment.