Asm. Dawn Fantasia

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create rules for small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), defined as reactors under 300 megawatts capacity requiring U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing. It authorizes the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to use 60% of funds from the Global Warming Solutions Fund to provide grants and financial incentives for the construction and operation of SMRs. The policy directly affects commercial entities building or operating these reactors, with funding prioritizing projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or energy demand. The bill establishes a concrete mechanism for state support of SMR development through EDA’s grant programs, without specifying project outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits how New Jersey school districts can use "cap banking" to raise property taxes beyond normal limits. It clarifies that districts may carry forward unused tax authority (called "cap banking") but restricts annual increases to no more than 6% compared to the previous year's levy. Districts that use cap banking must rebuild their "cap bank" in the following two years, preventing repeated large tax hikes. The bill directly affects school districts seeking to exceed standard tax levy caps, ensuring property tax increases remain moderate and predictable for residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2674) changes the composition of New Jersey's State Capitol Joint Management Commission, which oversees the State House complex housing the legislature. It increases legislative representation from four to eight members (two appointed by the Senate President, two by the Assembly Speaker, two by the Senate Minority Leader, and two by the Assembly Minority Leader) while making executive branch members (Director of Budget, General Services Administrator, and two gubernatorial appointees) non-voting. The amendment aims to balance decision-making authority after reduced executive use of the complex due to the pandemic and construction. The commission's structure now divides voting responsibilities between legislative and executive subcommittees.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 56) expresses support for a federal bill (H.R. 3585) that would require the U.S. President to submit an annual report to Congress about extradition requests. The report would detail the number of fugitives in foreign countries (like Portugal and Cuba) sought by the U.S., diplomatic efforts made, case durations, resolution rates, barriers to extradition, and data on U.S. citizens sought by other nations. It is named after two New Jersey victims - Walter Patterson (killed in 1962) and State Trooper Werner Foerster (killed in 1973) - whose alleged killers are among the fugitives residing abroad. The resolution aims to provide data to evaluate and strengthen U.S. extradition efforts, without changing existing law.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to allow producers of baked goods (like cakes, cookies, pastries, and pies, excluding bread) to sell their items at farm markets in wrapped or covered containers for health reasons, without needing to weigh them. Currently, most food sold at farm markets must be sold by weight or count, but this exception specifically covers baked goods in sealed containers. The change clarifies that producers do not violate the weight-measurement rule when selling wrapped baked goods directly to customers at farm markets. It applies only to fresh, made-on-site baked items and does not affect other food sales or require new weighing standards.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 55) is a symbolic statement condemning the publication and distribution of images that incite, glorify, or justify violence against law enforcement officers. It specifically references recent circulating images, including a graphic social media post by an NFL player depicting a police officer being harmed, and connects such content to extremist groups like ISIS. The resolution does not impose legal restrictions or penalties - it only formally expresses opposition to these images and urges citizens to counter offensive speech with more speech, while acknowledging First Amendment protections. It will be sent to state and federal officials, police associations, and the President as a formal expression of support for law enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the process for denying firearm permits in New Jersey. It requires the chief of police or State Police superintendent to prove an applicant meets one of the disqualification reasons (like a criminal conviction or domestic violence offense) if their permit to purchase a handgun or firearms purchaser ID card is denied. Previously, applicants may have had to prove they didn't qualify for denial. The bill does not change the list of disqualifying conditions but shifts the burden of proof to the issuing authority. This directly affects individuals whose applications are rejected for firearm permits or ID cards.

Maddy summaryThis bill would provide a property tax rebate to disabled veterans who own or rent their primary residence in New Jersey. It directly affects disabled veterans, including those experiencing financial hardship due to high property taxes and rental costs, as highlighted by the bill's findings (73% of NJ veterans have disabilities, with 518 homeless veterans in the state). The rebate is intended to help prevent homelessness and reduce financial burdens for this group. The bill defines key terms like "homestead" and "disabled veterans" but does not specify the rebate amount or exact eligibility calculations in the provided text. It is currently pending before the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Maddy summaryWeston's Law extends New Jersey's human trafficking statute to include recruiting or coercing a juvenile to join a gang or drug trafficking scheme. This change allows prosecutors to seek waiver of juvenile jurisdiction for such cases, meaning the court may refer the case to adult court without the juvenile's consent if the juvenile was 15 or older and the act would constitute a serious crime if committed by an adult. The bill updates the juvenile waiver process to explicitly list human trafficking as a qualifying offense alongside crimes like murder, robbery, and drug trafficking. The court must consider factors such as the juvenile's age, maturity, and prior record before deciding to waive jurisdiction.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 406) amends three criminal statutes to explicitly include "theft of a motor vehicle" (car theft) as a qualifying crime under felony murder, aggravated manslaughter, and aggravated assault laws. It expands existing provisions so that if someone causes death or serious bodily injury while committing or fleeing after a car theft, the offense will be prosecuted as murder (not a lesser charge) under N.J.S.2C:11-3, or aggravated manslaughter under N.J.S.2C:11-4. This directly affects individuals who cause injury or death during car thefts, potentially elevating their charges and penalties. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Judiciary Committee after introduction on January 13, 2026.