Asm. Mike Inganamort

Maddy summaryThis bill requires individuals and employers applying for state benefits - including contracts, loans, tax breaks, grants, or licenses - to certify that their presence in the U.S. is authorized under federal law. It directly affects anyone seeking these state-provided benefits or privileges. The key mechanism is a standardized certification form (created by the Department of Labor) that applicants must sign, stating they’ve verified eligibility for employment or legal status, with penalties only for knowingly false statements. The bill mandates that state agencies incorporate this form into existing application processes rather than creating a new system.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1234) transfers New Jersey's Division of Elections from the Department of State to the Department of Law and Public Safety, designating the Attorney General as the chief election official instead of the Secretary of State. It requires the Division to be managed by two bipartisan co-directors: one appointed based on the Governor’s party and the other based on the second-largest party in the last gubernatorial election. Both co-directors serve four-year terms tied to the Governor’s term, with appointments requiring Senate confirmation and recommendations from party leaders. These changes aim to restructure election administration while ensuring balanced leadership representation.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits long-term property tax exemptions for development projects in New Jersey municipalities with school districts receiving state school aid (SDA districts). It requires developers to pay annual service charges instead of tax exemptions for school purposes, calculated as 10-15% of project revenue or 2% of project cost. These charges apply to urban renewal projects, including low/moderate-income housing, in municipalities with SDA school districts. The policy change replaces tax breaks with direct payments to municipalities for the duration of the development project (up to 35 years).

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an independent Office of the Child Advocate within New Jersey's government to protect children at risk of abuse or neglect. The Child Advocate, appointed by the Governor, will investigate state agency responses to child abuse cases, inspect facilities like juvenile detention centers and group homes, and ensure children in state care receive appropriate services. Key mechanisms include accessing relevant records (with privacy safeguards), issuing subpoenas for investigations, and operating a 24-hour hotline for public concerns. The office directly affects children in state custody, their families, and state agencies such as the Department of Children and Families.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3811) exempts eligible disabled veterans from toll charges on New Jersey Turnpike and South Jersey Transportation Authority toll facilities. It applies to veterans already qualified for motor vehicle registration fee exemptions under existing law (P.L.1948 c.28), specifically those with service-connected disabilities from World War I, veterans eligible for state compensation under R.S. 38:18-1 et seq., or holders of the Congressional Medal of Honor. The exemption requires veterans to have an account with the electronic toll collection system and covers all toll facilities operated by these authorities. It directly affects disabled veterans who meet these specific eligibility criteria and currently qualify for registration fee exemptions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2955) proposes tax incentives for New Jersey employers who hire individuals with disabilities. It would allow employers to claim credits against insurance premiums tax, corporation business tax, and gross income tax, including: 30% of the first $6,000 in wages for a new employee with a disability during their first year (20% in the second year), up to $600 for work-related transportation costs, and small business access improvement credits. The credits would apply only to employees certified by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services as meeting the federal ADA definition of disability. The bill is pending before the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that horse boarding charges (renting stalls in barns or stables for horses) are **not subject to New Jersey's 6.625% sales tax**. It amends the tax code to explicitly exclude "the lease or rental of a stall in a barn, stable, or similar facility for the boarding or stabling of horses" from the definition of taxable "space for storage." This directly affects **horse boarding businesses and their customers** by ensuring these services remain tax-exempt. The change removes ambiguity about whether such charges fall under the existing tax on storage services, aligning with prior exemptions for similar arrangements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public school districts to integrate age-appropriate lessons about the September 11, 2001 attacks into Social Studies curricula for elementary, middle, and high school students. It mandates specific content, including the historical context, timeline of events, recognition of first responders and Flight 93 passengers' sacrifice, and lessons on humanitarian aid and tolerance. Additionally, schools must hold annual commemorative events focused on conflict resolution, diversity, and cultural acceptance. The Commissioner of Education will provide sample resources to support implementation, with the law taking effect in the first full school year after enactment.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Bill A1696 updates optometrists' scope of practice by expanding their ability to provide eye care services. The bill allows optometrists to prescribe pharmaceutical agents (including controlled substances under specific conditions), administer immunizations for coronaviruses, flu, and shingles (for patients 18+), and perform minor procedures like removing superficial foreign bodies or treating chalazions. It also permits certain non-invasive laser/ultrasound treatments (e.g., trabeculoplasty) using only topical anesthesia, while explicitly prohibiting invasive eye surgery, orbital procedures, or general anesthesia. These changes apply to all optometrists practicing in New Jersey and require adherence to CDC guidelines for immunizations and reporting to the state immunization registry.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits urban renewal projects from claiming property tax exemptions for school purposes on rehabilitation or improvements in redevelopment projects after the bill's effective date. It amends financial agreement requirements to mandate that municipalities include specific findings about tax exemption provisions and annual service charges in contracts with urban renewal entities. The bill directly affects housing and redevelopment projects that previously could have avoided school property taxes through long-term tax exemptions. This policy change ensures school property taxes are paid on these projects, maintaining local school funding.