Asm. Dawn Fantasia

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 151) urges Cuba to extradite Joanne Chesimard (also known as Assata Shakur) to the United States. It does not create new legal requirements but formally requests Cuba - where Chesimard has lived since fleeing U.S. custody in 1979 - to hand her over for prosecution related to her 1977 conviction for murdering New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster in 1973. The resolution references her inclusion on the FBI’s most-wanted terrorist list (2013) and notes the U.S. has recently restored diplomatic relations with Cuba. As a symbolic gesture, it directs copies to Cuba’s diplomatic representative and the U.S. Secretary of State.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Secretary of State to adjust census data used for redistricting by excluding noncitizens. The adjusted population - without noncitizens - would become the basis for drawing state legislative districts, county districts, and municipal wards. The Secretary must make this adjustment using data from the Census Bureau and state law. As a result, voting districts would be created using a population count that excludes noncitizens, affecting how representation is structured in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows farmers to register utility task vehicles (UTVs) used exclusively for farm operations to travel on New Jersey public roadways. It requires a $5 annual registration fee for UTVs (defined as four-wheel motorized vehicles with side-by-side seating for operator and passengers) and mandates slow-moving vehicle emblems. The law prohibits UTVs from operating on public roads between sunset and sunrise, except for snow removal contracts, and requires compliance with safety rules for grade control and wheel coverings. Farmers using UTVs for farm work directly benefit, as current law previously prohibited their road use during nighttime hours without specific exceptions.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's "Design Professional Self-Certification Act" (A4360, now law as P.L.2024, c.58) creates a program allowing licensed architects and professional engineers to self-certify that certain construction projects comply with building codes. It directly affects qualified design professionals who can now submit construction permit applications with self-certification forms for eligible projects (like renovations under specific size limits for residential or commercial buildings), bypassing full code reviews by local agencies. Local building departments must then conduct a simple "supervisory check" to confirm all required documents are present and issue permits - same as before - within 1-5 days. This applies only to projects not excluded (e.g., structural alterations requiring special inspections, new kitchens, or electrical upgrades over 400 amps), with the Department of Community Affairs setting qualification rules.

Maddy summaryS 2793 appropriates $1.723 million from two existing state funds - the constitutionally dedicated "Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund" (using CBT revenues) and the "2009 Farmland Preservation Fund" - to the State Agriculture Development Committee. The funds provide grants to qualifying nonprofit organizations for up to 50% of the cost to acquire development easements or fee simple titles on farmland, with the land maintained for agricultural use through deed restrictions. This directly supports five specific farmland preservation projects across Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren counties, as approved by the committee. The bill reallocates previously designated funds without creating new taxes or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $101.7 million from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues and Green Acres funds to the Department of Environmental Protection for local government open space acquisition and park development projects. The funds will support $24.3 million in land acquisition projects (including planning incentive, standard, site-specific, and urban aid acquisition) and $75 million in park development projects (including inclusive playgrounds required by "Jake's Law" and projects in densely populated areas). Local governments across New Jersey will receive grants or loans to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, with $2.4 million allocated for administrative costs. The bill defines eligibility based on population density criteria to target funding to areas with higher population needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $10,067,905 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues to fund conservation and recreation projects through New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection. The funds will be distributed as grants to 11 nonprofit organizations for land acquisition, 4 for park development, and 2 for stewardship activities across multiple counties. The $9,588,905 allocated for projects supports the acquisition, development, and maintenance of lands for public recreation and conservation purposes, while $479,000 covers administrative costs for the DEP. The funding comes from the Preserve New Jersey Green Acres Fund, which constitutionally sets aside CBT revenues for open space preservation.

Maddy summaryS 3384 appropriates funds to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to provide zero-interest loans and principal forgiveness for environmental infrastructure projects. The bill authorizes the DEP to make loans to local governments and public water utilities for clean water and drinking water projects, with specific funding limits including $20 million for combined sewer overflow projects and $10 million for water quality restoration. Funds will come from state revolving funds, federal grants from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and unexpended balances from previous programs, with projects requiring repayment within 30-45 years. The bill's funding authorization expires on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1.723 million from existing funds - $896,678 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues (via the Preserve New Jersey Farmland Preservation Fund) and $826,321 from the 2009 Farmland Preservation Fund - to the State Agriculture Development Committee. The funds will provide grants covering up to 50% of the cost for nonprofit organizations to acquire development easements or fee simple titles on farmland, with agricultural deed restrictions, to preserve working farms. The bill specifically allocates funds to five farmland projects across Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren counties. These grants are funded through reallocated monies previously designated for farmland preservation, not new tax revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $10,067,905 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for grants to nonprofit organizations. The funds will support 11 land acquisition projects ($5.7 million), four park development projects ($3.58 million), and two stewardship activities ($309,000) across multiple counties. These grants will help nonprofits acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, with $479,000 allocated for DEP administrative costs. The bill specifies that funds come from dedicated tax revenues established by the Preserve New Jersey Act and will support specific projects approved by the DEP.