Asm. Mike Inganamort

Maddy summaryThis bill allows secondary school classroom experiences to count as credit toward the classroom training requirement for registered apprenticeships. It directly affects students in New Jersey programs that link high school to apprenticeships, such as those under the Youth Transitions to Work Partnership Act. The key mechanism requires program partners to consult and obtain approval from the U.S. Department of Labor before implementing such credit agreements. This applies to all school-to-apprenticeship linkage programs and apprenticeship programs established under the referenced law. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryACR 25 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would limit annual property tax increases for primary residences in New Jersey and create a tax exemption on the first $50,000 of a home's assessed value. If approved by voters, it would require the state legislature to: (1) cap annual increases in a home's assessed value at 3% or the Consumer Price Index (whichever is lower), and (2) provide full property tax exemption for the first $25,000 of assessed value, plus exemption from non-school taxes on the next $25,000 ($25,000-$50,000). This would directly affect homeowners using their property as a principal residence, particularly impacting annual tax bills tied to property value changes. The amendment is not yet law and requires voter approval at the next general election.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Main Street Economic Growth Program to support business development in small municipalities with populations under 11,000 that are county seats, contain opportunity zones, or are over 70% developed according to state land use data. The program provides tax credits equal to 15% of employee compensation expenses for businesses meeting specific criteria and participating in the program, along with financial assistance through a dedicated fund for loans, loan guarantees, and technical support. Municipalities must designate Main Street areas with a statement of economic development policy, and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority will administer the program, requiring annual reporting on its impact including jobs created and capital investment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A1056) requires the voter registration commissioner to move voters with mail-in ballots returned as undeliverable to an inactive file. If such voters fail to vote in two consecutive federal general elections, they will be permanently removed from the Statewide voter registration system and transferred to a deleted file. The commissioner must send written notices to affected voters at three key stages: when placed in the inactive file, when removal is initiated, and after removal. The bill directly affects voters who receive mail-in ballots but cannot be delivered, altering how the state manages inactive voter records.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that New Jersey's Fish and Game Council has sole authority to regulate freshwater fishing, hunting, and trapping. It amends state law to establish the council as the sole decision-maker for these activities, removing it from being part of the Division of Fish and Wildlife and instead locating it "in but not of" the division and the Department of Environmental Protection. The bill also specifies that lands acquired with hunters' and anglers' license funds, waterfowl stamp accounts, or federal fish and wildlife funds cannot be closed to fishing or hunting without the council's approval. This clarification responds to a recent Supreme Court decision that incorrectly gave the Commissioner of Environmental Protection veto power over the council's decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates an exemption from New Jersey's Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act for commercial or industrial development within designated "commercial corridors" in the Highlands Region. A commercial corridor is defined as land with frontage on a State, county, or rail thoroughfare that's zoned for commercial or industrial use, or that a municipality deems necessary for economic viability. The exemption allows municipalities to exercise their planning or zoning authority for development in these corridors without being deemed inconsistent with the regional master plan. This specifically exempts construction or reconstruction of commercial or industrial development in these corridors from the Highlands permitting review program. The bill aims to balance environmental protection with appropriate economic development in the Highlands Region.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $2.5 million Rural Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program through New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA). It provides grants of up to $75,000 per project to qualified applicants (like corporations, nonprofits, or local governments) to expand broadband infrastructure in rural areas lacking reliable service (defined as speeds below 25 Mbps download/3 Mbps upload). Applicants must contribute at least 25% private funding and prioritize projects addressing unserved areas. The EDA must report annually on grant distribution, applicants, and outcomes, with funds sourced from federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act monies.

Maddy summaryThis bill would permit Sunday hunting for deer using firearms or bows on state wildlife management areas, private property, federal military lands (with installation approval), and the William J. Hughes Technical Center (with facility approval). Currently, Sunday hunting for deer is prohibited on these lands under New Jersey law. Hunters must still hold a valid firearm, bow, or "All Around Sportsman" license and follow all state hunting regulations. The bill does not change hunting seasons or other existing rules but explicitly allows Sunday hunting in specified locations.

Maddy summaryACR 15 is a New Jersey concurrent resolution condemning China's Hong Kong national security law, enacted on June 30, 2020. The resolution states the law was passed without public input, defines vague crimes (like separatism and collusion with foreign entities) with penalties up to life imprisonment, and undermines Hong Kong's autonomy by enabling Chinese government intervention in its legal system. It also notes the law has been used to arrest protesters and restrict freedoms, citing specific examples like the July 2020 arrest of a man for displaying a Hong Kong flag. The resolution is transmitted to U.S. officials as a formal statement of New Jersey's position, but has no legal effect on Hong Kong or China.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's civil service rules to allow public employers to bypass seniority in layoffs when a less senior employee has essential skills or qualifications. It applies to state, county, and municipal government positions across various departments, including police and fire departments. The key mechanism requires appointing authorities to certify to the Civil Service Commission that the less senior employee possesses specialized skills, licenses, or certifications that the more senior employee lacks and that these are essential for department operations. Counties and municipalities not following civil service rules must obtain approval from the Public Employment Relations Commission before implementing such layoffs. This policy change gives public employers flexibility to retain employees with critical skills during workforce reductions.