Asm. Dawn Fantasia

Maddy summaryThis bill permits home-based small businesses to operate as "permitted accessory uses" in residential zones without needing special zoning variances, directly affecting homeowners running small businesses from their homes. It establishes eight specific requirements they must meet, including compatibility with residential use, no visible signs or excessive traffic, no noise or pollution, and compliance with insurance rules. Municipalities cannot require ordinance changes to comply but may set local standards for guest volume or delivery traffic. The bill does not override community deed restrictions or affect existing zoning that aligns with its provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State parks, forests, recreation areas, historic sites, natural areas, and wildlife management areas to remain open to the public for up to seven days if a state of emergency is declared due to the legislature failing to pass the annual budget by the constitutional deadline. The Environmental Protection Commissioner must create a plan designating essential staff needed to maintain operations during this period. The law ensures continued public access to these locations during budget impasses, without requiring additional funding. It applies specifically to these state-managed natural and historic sites, not to other state services.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces New Jersey's individual gross income tax rates by 10% across all income brackets, phased over three years. It directly affects all New Jersey individual taxpayers who file income tax returns (excluding charitable trusts and pension-related trusts). The key mechanism lowers the percentage rates applied to each income tier, as shown in the amended tax tables, without changing income thresholds. The reduction applies uniformly to all taxable income levels, starting from the effective date of the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey county clerks to publicly report provisional ballot data for each election district during primary and general elections, starting on election day instead of the following day. County clerks must provide daily updates online detailing the number of provisional ballots cast, their results, and remaining counts - broken down by district - until the election is certified, with a final report due within 30 days of certification. These reports must be accessible on county websites and include timestamps, noting they are unofficial and subject to change. The bill directly affects election officials (county clerks and boards) and the public, increasing transparency about provisional ballot processing.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1226) exempts developers from affordable housing requirements and municipal fees when building on contaminated sites (designated by NJDEP) or industrially-zoned land. It directly affects developers working on these specific properties and municipalities that would otherwise enforce affordable housing obligations under the Fair Housing Act (P.L.1985, c.222). The key provision prohibits the Council on Affordable Housing from counting such sites toward a municipality’s affordable housing obligation and bans municipalities from charging fees for development on these lands. This change removes disincentives for remediating contaminated properties and developing industrial zones, which the bill states are necessary for community economic health. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum percentage of a municipality's affordable housing requirement that can be met with age-restricted housing units from 25% to 50%. It directly affects New Jersey municipalities obligated to provide affordable housing under state law. The key provision changes the allowable limit for age-restricted units without altering the overall housing obligation. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey state, county, municipal, and school district governments from using private funds or personnel for election administration - including voter registration, ballot processing, and election operations. It specifically bans accepting or spending money from private entities (like corporations, nonprofits, or political parties) for these functions, though public funds from the state or federal government remain allowed. The bill also makes it illegal for private individuals to hold supervisory roles in ballot counting or eligibility decisions unless authorized by existing election laws. Violations are classified as third-degree crimes, carrying criminal penalties. (Note: This bill is based on similar laws in 11 other states.)

Maddy summaryThis bill allows large food waste generators (those producing 52+ tons of food waste annually within 25 miles of a recycling facility) to continue sending their food waste to sanitary landfills that capture landfill gas for renewable energy, if they were already doing so as of April 14, 2020. Generators using this method remain compliant with existing recycling requirements without switching to authorized recycling facilities. The bill maintains standard recycling rules for other generators and includes a waiver process if recycling costs exceed disposal costs by 10 percent. It also preserves penalties for non-compliance and requires the Department of Environmental Protection to publish facility details.

Maddy summaryACR 54 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring New Jersey's Legislature to post bills and joint resolutions on its website for at least seven days before the final vote. This would replace the current one-day waiting period between the second reading and final vote with a seven-day requirement, applying to all bills except those designated as emergencies by a three-fourths vote in either legislative chamber. The amendment aims to increase public access to bill text prior to voting, ensuring more time for review. If approved by voters, it would become part of the New Jersey Constitution.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires court-ordered medical testing for individuals who may have exposed first responders to bloodborne pathogens (like HIV, hepatitis B/C) during emergencies. It applies when first responders (police, firefighters, EMTs) have direct contact with bodily fluids or needle pricks. If a person refuses voluntary testing after a first responder reports exposure within 24 hours, a public health officer can seek a court order for testing - granted if the court finds reasonable evidence of transmission risk. Test results are confidential, shared only with the tested person and the first responder, and cannot be used in court or for law enforcement.