Asm. Mike Inganamort

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey public utility companies (like electricity, gas, and water providers) from adding extra fees ("surcharges") to customers who choose one-time payment methods instead of automatic billing. Specifically, it bans these fees when customers pay via online credit/debit cards, automated phone systems, or direct bank withdrawals. The law defines "surcharge" as an extra charge to cover costs of third-party payment processing. It directly affects residential customers who prefer flexible payment options without automatic enrollment. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes New Jersey's property tax exemption for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability retroactive to the date the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs determined their total disability. It directly affects veterans who qualify under the law (e.g., those with paraplegia, blindness, or amputations) by requiring municipalities to refund property taxes paid since that determination date. The state must reimburse municipalities 102% of the refunded taxes to cover the cost of returning payments to veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill would provide property tax rebates to New Jersey veterans with service-connected disabilities. Eligible veterans would receive a rebate equal to their disability percentage of the property taxes paid on their primary residence, with the rebate capped at $5,000 annually. The program is limited to veterans with gross income under $200,000 and does not apply to veterans already exempt from property taxes due to 100% disability ratings. Veterans would need to apply annually for the rebate, and funding would depend on annual legislative appropriations. The bill specifically targets veterans with less than 100% service-connected disability ratings who currently pay property taxes on their primary residence.

Maddy summaryS 3466 extends the special appraisal process for Green Acres and farmland preservation programs in the Highlands Region through 2029, requiring landowners to be provided with two appraisal values when selling property for preservation. The bill allocates $7.5 million annually from constitutionally dedicated Corporation Business Tax revenue to the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council for land preservation, with $5 million for recreation and conservation and $2.5 million for farmland preservation. It creates a new "Preserve New Jersey Highlands Preservation Fund" to support land acquisition and conservation efforts in the Highlands Region, including matching federal funding for watershed protection. The bill also requires distributing state aid to municipalities hosting watershed lands that don't receive existing watershed moratorium offset aid.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5449) exempts specific oral healthcare products from New Jersey's sales and use tax. It adds "oral healthcare products for human use" to the list of tax-exempt items, covering products like toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, and oral irrigators designed to maintain oral health. The exemption excludes food, dietary supplements, and durable medical equipment. This change directly affects consumers purchasing these everyday oral care items, reducing their cost by removing the state tax.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals energy reduction requirements for electric and natural gas utilities in New Jersey. It eliminates the requirement for electric utilities to achieve a 2% annual reduction in electricity usage and gas utilities to achieve a 0.75% annual reduction. The bill also repeals related reporting obligations, including annual compliance petitions, and removes the Board of Public Utilities' authority to create performance metrics, assess penalties or incentives, and conduct studies on energy usage reduction. These changes apply to all electric and gas public utilities operating in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 20-member Forest Fire Preparedness Commission within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The commission, including DEP officials, fire wardens, and public representatives, will audit the state's wildfire response readiness and develop standardized communication protocols and a coordination roadmap for firefighters, police, and medical responders. It must complete these tasks within two years and submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature before dissolving. The commission directly affects state agencies, local emergency responders, and communities vulnerable to wildfires by improving interagency coordination for wildfire prevention and response.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1445 requires public colleges and universities to readmit undergraduate students who withdrew due to military service (including active duty, National Guard, or Reserve service). Schools must reinstate students with their exact academic standing from before their service interruption. Students must submit a written request for the next available semester, and institutions cannot charge application or processing fees for these requests. The law applies starting the first full academic year after its effective date.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A5417 allows military working dogs to be buried at state-operated veterans' memorial cemeteries, including the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans' Memorial Cemetery. The bill defines "military working dog" as a dog that performed or currently performs Department of Defense services like tracking, explosive detection, patrol, search and rescue, or attack. This policy change directly affects military working dogs and their handlers by providing a dignified burial option at state facilities. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment, requiring no further administrative steps for eligibility.

Maddy summaryAJR 218 is a symbolic resolution recognizing nuclear energy's role in New Jersey's clean energy future. It does not create new laws or funding but formally declares the legislature's support for promoting nuclear energy development. The resolution directs copies to the Board of Public Utilities and Department of Environmental Protection, emphasizing nuclear power's reliability, carbon-free benefits, and economic value as stated in the resolution's "Whereas" clauses. This is a procedural statement only, with no binding policy changes or new requirements.