Asm. Mike Inganamort

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a 2018 surtax on non-public utility businesses with over $1 million in taxable net income. It eliminates the 2.5% surtax rate for 2018-2019 and the 1.5% rate for 2020-2021, removing this tax obligation for qualifying businesses. The repeal applies to all future tax periods starting January 1, 2019, and takes effect immediately. This directly affects businesses subject to New Jersey’s Corporation Business Tax that previously paid this additional surcharge.

Maddy summaryACR 14 proposes a constitutional amendment to restore the death penalty for certain murder convictions in New Jersey, requiring voter approval. It would mandate that juries find "no doubt" that aggravating circumstances outweigh mitigating factors (a stricter standard than the previous "beyond reasonable doubt" requirement) before imposing a death sentence, and require that any lingering doubt prevent the sentence. The amendment also sets strict deadlines: the New Jersey Supreme Court must decide death penalty appeals within 150 days, and post-conviction appeals must end within one year after U.S. Supreme Court review. If approved, it would apply only to crimes committed after January 1 of the year following voter approval.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state employees, agencies, and contractors from downloading or using the TikTok app or visiting its website on any state-issued or state-leased electronic device (including phones, computers, and tablets). It exempts law enforcement officers using TikTok for investigations, requiring the Attorney General to create guidelines for such use. Violations carry fines up to $1,000 or up to six months in jail. The law takes immediate effect.

Maddy summaryThe School Safety and Security Act (A172) creates fourth-degree criminal penalties for specific actions that threaten school safety, including entering school property after being prohibited, providing false identification, tampering with security devices, falsely triggering emergency protocols, or leaking school safety plans without permission. It also criminalizes interfering with school bus operations or entering occupied school buses without consent. These provisions apply to anyone on school property (e.g., visitors, students, or others), but exclude law enforcement, emergency responders, and news coverage during emergencies. The bill aims to protect school safety by addressing targeted behaviors that could disrupt operations or trigger unnecessary emergency responses.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how judges are appointed for certain municipal courts in New Jersey. It removes the Governor and Senate from appointing judges for joint municipal courts (created by two or more municipalities) and central municipal courts (county-wide courts), shifting authority to local agreements or county officials. For joint courts, the appointment method would be set in the municipalities' agreement (filed with the courts). For central courts, county executives (in counties with that role) or county governing bodies would appoint judges instead of the Governor. Single-municipality courts remain appointed locally as they are now.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Taxation to study how state business income taxes affect where businesses operate, start up, and hire workers. The study will analyze tax return data from eight years before and after the bill's effective date (covering 2016-2024). The Division must submit a first report by January 15, 2026, detailing findings and recommendations for improving New Jersey's business climate, followed by annual reports for seven years. These reports will go directly to the Governor and Legislature, but the bill does not change tax rates or policies itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax credit for New Jersey farmers who operate qualifying "farming businesses" (like crop or livestock operations). It allows them to calculate their state income tax using an average of their farming income over four years (current year plus three prior years), smoothing out volatile profits and losses. The credit equals the tax difference between the standard calculation and the averaged version, with a maximum annual credit of $5,000. This directly benefits farmers facing income fluctuations due to weather, market changes, or other agricultural risks.

Maddy summaryThe "Local Governmental Process Activities Disclosure Act" (A186) requires paid governmental affairs agents who seek to influence local government decisions to disclose their activities. Agents must file notices of representation with the Election Law Enforcement Commission before influencing local measures, regulations, or processes, and submit quarterly activity reports and annual reports detailing their spending. The bill limits gifts to local officials to $250 per year and requires written reports of benefits provided to officials by February 1 each year. This law applies to all local government levels including municipalities, counties, authorities, and school districts, increasing transparency about who influences local government decisions.

Maddy summaryAssembly Resolution 14 (AR 14) urges the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate and take action against manufacturers labeling non-dairy products (like almond or soy milk) as "milk," referencing the FDA's existing definition that "milk" must come from dairy animals. The resolution argues such labeling misleads consumers about nutritional benefits - since non-dairy products lack the calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients in dairy milk - and harms dairy farmers by reducing demand for traditional dairy products. It does not create new law but formally requests FDA enforcement, with copies sent to the FDA Commissioner and New Jersey's congressional delegation.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) from planning, designing, or constructing a rock wall between milepost 1.00 and 1.50 on Interstate 80. It requires DOT to analyze all feasible non-rock wall alternatives for rock fall mitigation in that specific 0.5-mile highway segment before proceeding with any project. The law applies only to this defined section of I-80 and mandates a full review of alternatives excluding rock walls. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.