Asm. Mike Inganamort

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts plastic materials processed at designated "advanced plastic processing facilities" from New Jersey's solid waste disposal and recycling laws. These facilities must transform plastic into non-fuel products (like chemicals or monomers) using methods such as pyrolysis, not into fuel. The exemption excludes PETE (code 1) and HDPE (code 2) plastics. Processors using these facilities avoid state recycling/disposal rules but remain subject to air/water pollution and land-use laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a permanent "Veteran Obituary Fund" within New Jersey's Department of the Treasury to cover costs for veterans' obituaries. Taxpayers can deduct donations to the fund (up to $50,000 annually) from their state income tax, with property donations over $500 requiring an independent appraisal. The fund accepts money or property donations from any source, which the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs administers to pay for veteran obituaries. It directly affects New Jersey taxpayers who donate to the fund and veterans' families, as it ensures obituary costs - averaging several hundred dollars - are covered without burdening families.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey to issue special license plates featuring the U.S. Coast Guard seal for active or honorably separated Coast Guard members, their spouses, parents, or principal business owners. Applicants pay a $50 one-time fee and a $10 annual fee, with all fees deposited into a dedicated "Coast Guard License Plate Fund" that annually appropriates money to the Coast Guard. The plates must display the Coast Guard emblem, and the design is developed jointly with the Coast Guard, covering administrative costs through the fund. The program is procedural, focusing on recognition and funding for the Coast Guard through license plate fees, not broader policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Board of Education to reinstate the ASVAB-AFQT (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery-Armed Forces Qualifying Test) as an approved alternative assessment for meeting high school graduation requirements. It directly affects public high school students who need to demonstrate proficiency in state standards, allowing them to use the ASVAB-AFQT score instead of the standard graduation test. The bill adds ASVAB-AFQT back to the list of approved "substitute competency tests" that were previously removed from the 2024-2025 graduation pathways. This change provides students with an additional, standardized option to prove they meet graduation standards without needing to retake the state test.

Maddy summaryACR 29 is a New Jersey legislative resolution requesting Congress to call an Article V convention of states. The bill seeks to propose constitutional amendments that would impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit federal power and jurisdiction, and establish term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. It functions as a continuing application, meaning New Jersey's request remains active until two-thirds of states make similar requests on the same issue. This is a procedural step (not a law) to initiate a potential constitutional convention process, directly affecting New Jersey's legislative action and the broader state-level effort to influence federal governance.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Bill A154 allows individuals to possess bear spray for repelling aggressive bears in bear-prone areas without facing civil liability if used reasonably for self-defense. It amends existing laws to grant civil immunity when a person reasonably believes using bear spray is immediately necessary to protect themselves from a bear attack, excluding cases of willful, wanton, or grossly negligent misuse. The bill directly affects residents and visitors in outdoor settings where bear encounters may occur, such as hiking or camping areas. This policy change specifically modifies civil liability protections under New Jersey law, not criminal statutes or firearm regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to hire an independent auditor to examine its financial management and budget reporting practices since 2018. The audit must assess pandemic impacts on service demand and finances, evaluate current funding sources against service needs, and recommend improvements to governance, hiring, and customer experience. NJT must submit the auditor’s findings to the Governor and Legislature within 90 days, then decide within six months whether to adopt the recommendations - providing justification if declining any specific change. The bill does not mandate immediate action but establishes a process for transparency and accountability in NJT’s financial operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey schools and districts to add data on graduates' post-education pathways to their annual performance reports (called "report cards"). Specifically, it mandates reporting the number and percentage of students achieving "positive placement" after graduation, including apprenticeships. The requirement applies to all public schools and districts, building on existing report card elements like graduation rates and college enrollment. The change aims to provide transparency about workforce readiness options beyond traditional college pathways.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes an independent Office of Inspector General (IG) specifically for state veterans' facilities. The IG, appointed by the Governor with Senate approval, investigates complaints about facility policies and conducts inspections to ensure resident safety and care quality. Key mechanisms include the authority to subpoena witnesses and documents, refer criminal matters to prosecutors, and maintain confidential complaint channels for residents, families, and staff. The office directly affects veterans' facilities, their residents, and staff by creating a dedicated oversight body with formal investigative powers. The bill aims to strengthen accountability within state-run veterans' care settings through structured, independent review.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1275) allows expectant mothers in New Jersey who are residents of the state and in their third trimester of pregnancy to receive a temporary parking placard. The placard, valid for three months and costing $4, permits parking overtime at metered spots or use of disability-accessible parking in any municipality. It requires certification from a licensed doctor, nurse practitioner, or midwife confirming the third trimester, without needing the mother's physical presence. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs Committee after introduction on January 13, 2026.