Asm. Dawn Fantasia

Maddy summaryThis bill requires certifying officers to verify that certain public employees (such as attorneys, engineers, accountants, physicians, and architects) are properly classified as state employees - not independent contractors - before enrolling them in New Jersey’s Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). Officers must complete a form based on IRS employee classification guidelines and submit supporting documents like position resolutions and oaths of office. The state will conduct audits to ensure compliance, and supervisors who fail to verify eligibility may face fines up to $5,000 per violation. The law applies to both new enrollments and existing members of the retirement system.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 733) increases daily compensation for election workers from $300 to $400 per election (primary, general, or special) and raises additional pay for workers handling signature copy registers. Election workers managing these registers will now receive $20 per election (or $10 each if shared), up from $12.50 or $6.25. The state will also increase its reimbursement to counties from $225 to $325 per worker, while counties cover the remaining $75. The bill directly affects election workers serving on district boards during all statewide and local elections in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryACR 81 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds majority vote (27 in the Senate, 54 in the Assembly) to advance or pass bills during New Jersey's "lame duck" legislative session. This session occurs between the November general election for Assembly members and the start of the new Legislature in January. The amendment applies to all bills/joint resolutions needing third reading during this period, as well as to reenacting bills conditionally vetoed by the Governor. Currently, only a simple majority (21 Senate, 41 Assembly) is needed for these actions, but this change would significantly raise the threshold for legislation passed in this specific window. The proposal must be approved by voters in the next general election.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's tax code to exclude certain retirement savings contributions from taxable gross income. It directly affects New Jersey residents who contribute to qualifying retirement plans, such as 401(k)s or IRAs, by reducing their taxable income for state tax purposes. The key provision amends the definition of "gross income" to specify that contributions to these plans are not counted toward taxable earnings. As a result, taxpayers would pay less state income tax on the amounts they save for retirement through these qualified plans. The bill is currently in the introduction stage (2026-01-13) and has not yet been voted on.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1901) removes specific date and location requirements for veterans to qualify for New Jersey civil service and pension benefits. It eliminates past restrictions that limited eligibility to veterans who served during exact timeframes (e.g., "between July 14, 1914 and November 11, 1918") or in specific locations (e.g., "in Lebanon" for certain missions). The key change amends the definition of "veteran" in state law to broaden eligibility, allowing veterans who served honorably in designated conflicts to qualify without proving they met these prior time or place conditions. This directly affects veterans whose service history no longer aligns with the old, narrow criteria but otherwise meets the general eligibility standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2886) requires New Jersey's State Planning Commission to create model rules for placing warehouses near different zoning areas, including design and setback requirements. Municipalities can then update their local zoning plans and master plans to align with these models, giving them flexibility to regulate warehouse locations. The rules specifically apply to warehouses like distribution centers and flex-warehouses that store goods for later distribution. This directly affects local governments (which can adopt the models) and warehouse developers (which must follow the new zoning standards).

Maddy summaryAJR 13 establishes a 7-member "Commission on Apprenticeship Program Promotion" in New Jersey. The commission, appointed by state leaders and agency heads, will study effective ways to promote apprenticeship programs to high school students, focusing on demonstrating the value of the skills gained and resulting economic opportunities. It must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within one year of formation, after which the commission will dissolve. The bill does not create new programs or funding but directs a study on improving outreach to students. This procedural resolution affects high school students and stakeholders in apprenticeship programs by initiating a formal review of promotion strategies.

Maddy summaryAJR 48 is a symbolic resolution commemorating the 71st anniversary of the July 27, 1953 armistice ending the Korean War. It directs New Jersey's state government to transmit copies of the resolution to the Adjutant General and Korean War veteran associations in the state. The resolution acknowledges the war's historical significance, including New Jersey's military contributions (836 residents killed or missing in action) and the conflict's designation as the "forgotten war." As a commemorative measure with no new policy or funding, it serves only to formally mark the anniversary.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-3797) requires New Jersey's Secretary of State and county election officials to conduct a statewide audit of voter registration records within 90 days of the law taking effect. The audit must identify: (1) ineligible voters who successfully registered, (2) attempts by ineligible voters to register (even if rejected), and (3) whether current procedures for removing ineligible registrants are effective. Officials must jointly develop uniform audit methods and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within 30 days of completing the audit. The bill directly affects election administrators managing voter registration systems across all New Jersey counties.

Maddy summaryACR 50 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would give New Jersey voters direct power to approve or reject specific state spending and tax policies through initiative and referendum. It requires petitions signed by 25% of registered voters in 14 counties to qualify for a statewide ballot vote on fiscal matters like reducing state spending by up to 10% in a given year. If approved by voters, such measures would take effect unless the legislature rejects them within 45 days using a two-thirds vote in both chambers. The bill, currently introduced but not yet enacted, aims to shift fiscal decision-making authority from the legislature to voters.