Asm. Dawn Fantasia

Maddy summaryACR 47 proposes a constitutional amendment to redirect New Jersey's personal income tax revenue directly to public schools. It would require all net receipts from the state's income tax to be allocated to school districts on a per-student basis, replacing the current system where such revenue partially funded property tax relief. The amendment specifies that this allocation would fulfill the state's constitutional duty to maintain "a thorough and efficient system of free public schools," while clarifying that the Legislature retains authority to provide additional school funding through other means. This change would modify Article VIII of the New Jersey Constitution to explicitly mandate school district funding from income tax revenue, rather than allowing flexibility for property tax relief or other uses.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Mandated Health Benefits Advisory Commission (established in 2003) to regularly analyze the financial impact of all health insurance mandates enacted by the legislature. The Commission must examine how each mandate affects total costs for purchasers (like employers and individuals), whether it increases appropriate use of treatments, and if it saves money through better preventive care access. The Commission must report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature two years after the bill takes effect and every three years thereafter, including whether any mandates should be repealed or offered as optional riders. This affects health insurers, employers, and healthcare providers by subjecting existing coverage requirements to ongoing financial review.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes the "Rural Business Development Program" administered by the Economic Development Authority (EDA), providing grants to rural small businesses that operate sustainable farms and food systems in designated rural census tracts. It appropriates $35 million from federal Coronavirus Relief Funds to create a dedicated "Rural Business Development Fund" for grants aimed at retaining or creating local jobs. Businesses receiving grants must report every six months on how funds were used to support employment. The program requires the EDA to set application rules, funding criteria, and reporting requirements for participating businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows deer hunting with firearms or bows on Sundays on State wildlife management areas, private property, and certain federal lands (including military installations and the William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic County), subject to landowner approval. It requires hunters to have a valid deer hunting license or "All Around Sportsman License" and follow all State Fish and Game Code rules. Currently, Sunday hunting is generally prohibited except for limited exceptions like raccoon hunting before dawn. The bill amends existing law to expand these exceptions specifically for deer hunting under defined conditions.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a system where New Jersey's state government directly pays for high-cost special education services for students requiring the most expensive placements (costing over $55,000 annually), shifting responsibility from school districts. It creates a new Office of High Needs Placement Funding within the Department of Education to contract with service providers and make 10 monthly payments starting in October each year. The bill directly affects students with disabilities needing intensive services, school districts currently covering these costs, and special education providers. The policy change aims to fulfill the state's funding obligations under federal special education law by ensuring direct state payment for these high-cost cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey municipalities to earn credits toward their state-mandated affordable housing requirement by transferring unspent development fees to the New Jersey Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Specifically, if a municipality fails to spend collected fees within four years, it must transfer the remaining balance to the state fund and receives one credit per unit toward its housing obligation. The fees - collected from residential developers - must be used for approved affordability programs like down payment assistance, rent subsidies, or low-income unit affordability measures, with no more than 20% allocated to administration. It directly affects all New Jersey municipalities required to meet fair share housing goals under state law.

Maddy summaryThis resolution opposes proposals to reclassify the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area as a National Park and Preserve (specifically the "Delaware River National Park and Lenape Preserve" plan) and expand its boundaries. It cites concerns about potential restrictions on recreational activities like hunting, negative economic impacts on local tourism businesses and farmers, and possible federal land acquisition using eminent domain. The resolution formally expresses New Jersey's opposition to these changes and directs copies to state and federal officials, including the National Park Service and congressional representatives.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 322, "Immigration Enforcement Support Act") allows New Jersey state and local law enforcement agencies to detain individuals they believe are in the U.S. illegally, regardless of any current criminal charges, and transfer them to federal immigration authorities. It directly affects undocumented immigrants in New Jersey and state/local police departments. The key provision requires the state to pay law enforcement agencies $7,000 for each person successfully deported after being detained under this law, with payments allocated proportionally if multiple agencies are involved. Agencies qualify for payment only if they detained the individual specifically for transfer to federal immigration authorities.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes income-based limits on New Jersey's tax exclusion for pension and retirement income. Currently, taxpayers with higher incomes face reduced or eliminated exclusions (e.g., capping exclusions at $150,000 gross income for 2021-2022). The bill eliminates these income thresholds, allowing all eligible pensioners aged 62+ or disabled (per the law) to exclude their full pension amount from state taxes regardless of income level. It directly affects New Jersey residents receiving pension, retirement, or disability benefits who meet age/disability criteria. The change modifies existing tax code sections (N.J.S.54A:6-10 and P.L.1977, c.273) to remove the income restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey state agencies, counties, and municipalities from adopting rules or ordinances that ban the installation or use of fossil fuel-powered kitchen appliances (like natural gas stoves) in residential or commercial kitchens, provided the appliances meet existing federal and state safety standards. It does not prevent voluntary programs that incentivize switching to electric appliances. The bill directly affects homeowners, renters, and businesses that might face local restrictions on gas appliances. It is currently pending in the Assembly Environment Committee after introduction on January 13, 2026.