Asm. Mike Inganamort

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for smoking cannabis or marijuana on New Jersey public beaches. For first offenses, fines jump from $250 to $500; second offenses from $500 to $1,000; and subsequent offenses from $1,000 to $1,500. The bill specifies that cigarette smoking penalties remain unchanged. Fines collected will be split equally: 50% funding state smoking cessation programs and 50% going to the local municipality where the violation occurred. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows members of New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) who participated in 9/11 World Trade Center rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations to qualify for accidental disability retirement benefits. It presumes that disabilities resulting from these operations - such as respiratory illnesses, PTSD, or skin conditions - are work-related, eliminating the need to prove direct connection to duties. To qualify, members must have worked at least eight hours at the site between September 11-12, 2001, or have a documented injury preventing them from completing eight hours. The change applies specifically to disabilities linked to 9/11 exposure, streamlining eligibility for affected first responders and workers.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that law enforcement officers employed by schools, colleges, or universities may carry firearms on campus during their employment or while commuting to/from work. It defines "law enforcement officer" as someone authorized to enforce laws who has completed a firearms training course approved by the Police Training Commission. The bill specifically permits these officers to possess firearms in campus buildings or grounds without needing additional written authorization from the institution. This clarification does not change general campus firearm restrictions for students, staff, or non-law enforcement personnel.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that veterans seeking civil service preference in New Jersey must submit proof of their veteran status to the state veterans agency no later than eight days before an employment list is issued. It specifies that veterans must provide documented evidence of their service eligibility under either federal or New Jersey's existing definitions. The bill does not change who qualifies as a veteran but adds a procedural requirement for verifying status when applying for state civil service jobs. This affects veterans applying for state government positions who wish to claim preference under current law. The change aims to streamline the verification process for civil service hiring.

Maddy summaryBill A1282 eliminates specific safety reporting requirements for nonprofit organizations operating ski areas in New Jersey. It exempts these nonprofits from current law mandates that require operators to: (1) post slope difficulty systems and provide trail maps/reports, (2) share daily slope condition updates, and (3) remove obvious man-made hazards. The bill defines qualifying nonprofits as those with IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. This change directly affects nonprofit ski area operators, removing administrative burdens while maintaining liability standards under the existing Ski Lift Safety Act. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly Tourism Committee.

Maddy summaryACR 53 proposes amending New Jersey's Constitution to guarantee annual full funding for two specific property tax relief programs. It requires the state to distribute energy tax relief aid (based on 2018 levels adjusted for inflation) and Consolidated Municipal Property Tax Relief Aid (based on 2009 levels adjusted for inflation) directly to municipalities each year. The bill mandates that these funds be distributed in the same proportion to each municipality as in the specified baseline years, with inflation adjustments calculated using the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis' deflator rate. This change would prevent the state from redirecting these dedicated tax revenues to other programs, as has occurred in some past years. The bill does not alter the tax collections themselves but ensures municipalities receive constitutionally guaranteed annual aid amounts.

Maddy summaryACR 70 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow New Jersey's Legislature to extend civil service hiring preferences to all veterans, not just those who served during wartime. Currently, only veterans with wartime service receive this preference when applying for state government jobs. The amendment would enable the Legislature to create a new law defining eligibility for this hiring preference, potentially including veterans who served in peacetime. This change would directly affect all veterans applying for civil service positions across New Jersey state government. The amendment requires voter approval at the next general election following its passage.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (AR 28) passed by the New Jersey Assembly, not a binding law. It urges the federal government to approve construction of oil and natural gas pipelines within the U.S., specifically referencing pipelines that were previously shut down or denied approval (like the Keystone XL Pipeline). The resolution states it seeks to advance U.S. energy independence, lower fuel costs, and reduce reliance on foreign energy sources from regions like Russia and Venezuela. It has no legal effect and does not change any existing pipeline approvals or regulations.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A 1191 prohibits foreign governments and foreign persons from acquiring or owning agricultural land in the state after its effective date, with limited exceptions. Existing foreign owners must sell their land within five years to a non-foreign entity while attaching an easement to maintain agricultural use. The bill also requires the Agriculture Secretary to annually report foreign ownership statistics, including acreage, ownership trends, and top nationalities, to the Governor and Legislature. This law directly affects foreign governments, non-U.S. citizens, and foreign-owned businesses holding agricultural land in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the New Jersey-Africa Commission within the Department of State to strengthen economic, cultural, and governmental ties between New Jersey and African nations. The commission, composed of 21 members (5 state agency officials and 16 public members from New Jersey's African Diaspora community), will advise the Governor on improving links in commerce, agriculture, education, health, and cultural exchanges. It will organize five specialized committees to develop recommendations and report annually to the Governor and Legislature. The commission will facilitate structured collaboration between New Jersey entities and African nations, focusing on mutually beneficial projects without direct funding authority.