Asm. Dawn Fantasia

Maddy summaryThis bill requires county election boards to have bipartisan representation (with members from both major political parties) when opening, handling, and canvassing mail-in ballots. It mandates secure storage for all mail-in ballots and increases penalties for crimes involving ballot tampering, unauthorized access to ballot storage areas, or interference with election processes. The bill also requires election officials to send "cure letters" to voters whose ballots are rejected due to signature issues, explaining the reason and providing a simple form to correct the issue. These changes directly affect county election boards, election officials, and voters participating in mail-in voting. The bill aims to enhance transparency and security in mail-in ballot processing.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A 841 requires voters to present physical identification at polling places during any election. It specifies 13 acceptable forms of ID (like driver's licenses, passports, voter registration cards, or utility bills) and allows two supplemental documents if primary ID isn't available. Voters without matching ID may face challenges, but the bill states it does not deny voting rights if challenges are resolved. This affects all voters casting ballots in person at New Jersey polling locations.

Maddy summaryACR 62 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase New Jersey's veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $500 annually, phased over five years (reaching $500 by 2027). It directly affects honorably discharged veterans, their surviving spouses, and veterans living in continuing care retirement communities. The amendment would raise the deduction to $300 in 2023, $350 in 2024, $400 in 2025, $450 in 2026, and $500 starting in 2027, with the deduction canceling taxes if the bill is lower than the deduction amount. This change requires voter approval after legislative passage, as it modifies the state constitution.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires group homes licensed by New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities (serving adults with developmental disabilities receiving Tier C+ services) to install electronic monitoring devices in common areas only when all residents and their authorized representatives unanimously consent in writing. It mandates that group homes must actively seek this consent, provide annual notices about the option, and allow residents to withdraw consent anytime without affecting housing placement. Devices must record continuously, retain footage for 90 days, undergo weekly inspections, and permit residents to review recordings upon request. The bill explicitly prohibits using refusal to consent as a barrier to housing and requires visitor notices at entrances.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill updates voter identification requirements for all in-person voters starting January 1, 2025. It mandates that voters present one document meeting specific criteria: a photo ID with the voter's registered name, current address, a valid expiration date, and issuance by a federal or state government. Voters without acceptable ID will receive a provisional ballot instead of voting by machine, except for those with religious objections (who may use a sworn affidavit) or eligible absentee voters under federal law. The bill also standardizes procedures for challengers examining ID at polling places and updates record-keeping rules for voter registration information.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals New Jersey's existing ban on single-use plastic carryout bags, paper carryout bags, polystyrene foam food containers, and plastic straws. It directly affects retailers (who can now sell these items without restriction) and consumers (who regain access to these products). The bill removes the prohibition established in P.L.2020, c.117, without introducing new requirements or funding mechanisms. This is a straightforward policy change eliminating specific product restrictions.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) from providing any financial assistance - including grants, loans, tax credits, or other subsidies - to wind energy projects. It directly affects wind energy developers who would have sought EDA funding for project development or operations. The key mechanism removes wind energy projects from eligibility under the EDA’s existing funding allocation for renewable energy, specifically deleting references to "qualified offshore wind projects" from the 60% funding allocation meant for energy efficiency and renewable projects. This change shifts EDA funding priorities away from wind energy toward other renewable and energy efficiency initiatives. The bill also repeals prior provisions that allowed wind project subsidies.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey National Guard members to transfer their tuition benefit to a spouse or dependent child. Specifically, members can transfer 50% of their benefit (covering up to 8 credits per semester) to a dependent child or 100% (covering up to 16 credits per semester) to a spouse. To qualify, the spouse or child must be enrolled full-time at a public New Jersey institution, apply for all available state and federal grants/scholarships, and the Guard member can only transfer the benefit to one person. The bill amends existing law to expand benefit eligibility to family members while maintaining current requirements for enrollment and financial aid applications.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides limited liability protection to New Jersey farmers hosting agritourism activities, such as pick-your-own farms, animal exhibits, or nature watching tours. It shields farmers from legal claims related to "inherent risks" like animal behavior, weather, or land conditions, provided they post required warnings at entrances and include them in written contracts. Exceptions apply if farmers act with gross negligence, conceal dangers, intentionally harm participants, or commit willful misconduct. The law specifically excludes roadside farm stands and retail food sales from coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires funeral directors to notify the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) when they possess unclaimed cremains of veterans one year after cremation, after making diligent efforts to locate relatives. It mandates the DMVA to create and maintain a central online registry of unclaimed veteran cremains to help veterans' organizations locate these remains. Qualified veterans' organizations can then receive these unclaimed cremains and dispose of them by scattering at sea or interring them at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery if eligible. The bill aims to address the issue of veteran cremains being unclaimed for decades (up to 66 years in some cases), reducing the burden on funeral directors and helping organizations locate remains more efficiently.