Asm. Dawn Fantasia

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that licensed firearms dealers may legally provide firearms for display at fundraising events hosted by tax-exempt organizations (specifically those recognized under IRS Section 501(c)(3)). It directly affects licensed dealers and qualifying nonprofit organizations. The key provision requires dealers to provide timely notice to the superintendent of police and to carry firearms in accordance with existing regulations (subsection g). The bill removes ambiguity about whether dealers can lawfully transport and display firearms for these specific fundraising purposes under New Jersey law.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the maximum distance for state-funded transportation to nonpublic (private) school students from 20 miles to 30 miles in specific New Jersey counties: Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Ocean, Salem, Sussex, and Warren. It requires school districts to provide bus transportation or a cash payment (if bids exceed state limits) for eligible students living within 30 miles of their nonpublic school. Students must use existing bus stops serving those living within 20 miles of the school. The state covers all costs for eligible transportation or payments, moving this provision from temporary annual appropriations to permanent law.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the use of eminent domain to take farmland actively used for agriculture or horticulture (such as crop farming or gardening) for non-agricultural purposes, like residential or commercial development. It amends New Jersey's eminent domain law (P.L.1971, c.361) to block condemnation if the intended use is non-farming, while allowing condemnation for agricultural or horticultural purposes. The law applies immediately to all future condemnation actions and does not change existing negotiation or appraisal requirements for land acquisition. This change specifically targets the protection of active farmland from being converted to non-farming uses through eminent domain.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to provide veteran benefit information packets to veterans when issuing a license or ID card that includes a veteran designation. The packets must include the NJ Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs Benefits Guide, the VA’s "Federal Benefits for Veterans" booklet, and resources for finding additional benefits. Information must be available in both physical copies at MVC offices and online. The law applies to initial licenses, renewals, probationary licenses, and veteran-designated ID cards. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school districts receiving 70% or more of their revenue from state aid to publicly post detailed information about out-of-state travel expenses on their websites. Specifically, districts must list travel vouchers, itemized costs (transportation, meals, lodging, conference fees), the number of employees/board members who traveled, and summaries of each event attended. The requirement applies to districts identified in the Department of Education's Taxpayers’ Guide to Education Spending. The bill aims to increase transparency around public funds spent on travel, with the Commissioner of Education able to specify additional required details.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-700) increases penalties for fentanyl offenses by raising the quantity threshold that triggers the most severe criminal charges. Specifically, it makes possessing or distributing five ounces or more of fentanyl (including adulterants) a first-degree crime, requiring a mandatory minimum prison term of one-third to one-half the sentence with no parole eligibility. This directly affects individuals involved in large-scale fentanyl distribution or possession, as penalties for quantities under five ounces remain less severe. The change applies to fentanyl specifically, while other drugs retain their existing penalty thresholds under New Jersey law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 628) prohibits courts from awarding a "builder's remedy" in lawsuits challenging exclusionary zoning laws. It directly affects municipalities, developers, and affordable housing advocates involved in zoning litigation. The bill states that courts must instead impose other remedies if a municipality fails to provide a realistic opportunity for affordable housing development, banning court orders that require zoning changes to include market-rate housing as a condition for development. The Legislature states this remedy has historically produced excessive market-rate housing with little affordable housing, harming communities and the state. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryBill A-2858 requires New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to sell mobile sport fishing permits - used for operating vehicles on beaches for fishing - in a way that reserves the first 14 days of each permit season exclusively for New Jersey residents. This directly affects non-residents who would need to wait until after the 14-day window to purchase these permits. The DEP may establish rules for verifying residency (e.g., driver’s licenses or utility bills) and must implement the change six months after the bill’s enactment. The policy aims to prioritize local access to beach fishing permits while allowing the DEP flexibility in enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits of members in New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). It directly affects current and future retirees who are members of this system, restoring annual benefit increases tied to inflation. The key provision amends existing law to allow the retirement system's board of trustees to reinstate these automatic COLAs without requiring additional contributions from members, provided actuarial certification confirms the change won't harm the fund's long-term stability. The bill does not create new benefits but returns a previously reduced feature of the retirement system.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Works Act creates a tax credit for businesses that fund pre-employment training programs targeting low- and moderate-income individuals for jobs in high-demand occupations. These programs must provide at least 12 weeks of paid training at minimum wage, covering skills like communication, job readiness, and career-specific instruction. The bill appropriates $1 million to support the initiative and requires training programs to be approved by the state, partner with schools or nonprofits, and exclude construction businesses. It directly affects qualifying businesses, educational institutions, and job seekers in targeted regions seeking career advancement opportunities.