Asm. Mike Inganamort

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the Governor's authority to declare states of emergency or public health emergencies in New Jersey. It requires state of emergency declarations to automatically end after 60 days unless the Legislature approves an extension with a majority vote (and future extensions require a similar majority). Public health emergency declarations are capped at 60 days total (initial 30 days plus one 30-day renewal by the Governor). The bill also mandates the Governor notify the Legislature 7 business days before seeking an extension, and gives the Legislature the power to terminate any emergency declaration with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. Existing emergency declarations related to the pandemic or other ongoing emergencies will automatically terminate on the bill's effective date unless the Legislature immediately authorizes an extension.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey election rules for appointing challengers (observers who monitor voting procedures). Currently, challengers must be registered voters in the specific county where they serve. The bill removes this county restriction, allowing registered voters in *any* county within a congressional or legislative district to serve as challengers in *any* election district across that entire district. For example, a registered voter in Morris County could serve as a challenger in an election district in Sussex or Warren County if all are within the same congressional or legislative district. The change applies to all elections where challengers are permitted under state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A160) prohibits New Jersey's Department of Agriculture from establishing or enforcing minimum property size requirements per honeybee hive for beekeeping operations. It directly affects beekeepers and apiary businesses by preventing the state from imposing such size regulations. The key provision explicitly states the Department "shall not regulate" these minimum property size requirements for keeping honeybees or related activities. The law takes effect immediately upon passage, removing the Department's authority to create such rules in the future.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Red Tape Review Commission to evaluate state regulations and executive orders for their economic impact on businesses, workers, and local governments. The commission, composed of eight members including the Lieutenant Governor (as chair), department heads, and legislative leaders, will review all proposed or adopted rules and executive orders to determine if their costs outweigh benefits. It must solicit public input, require state agencies to provide data, and issue annual recommendations to the Governor for repealing, rescinding, or amending burdensome rules. The commission’s findings are advisory only and cannot be used in legal challenges against state agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey to create special Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation license plates for motor vehicles. Vehicle owners who choose these plates would pay a $50 application fee and a $10 annual fee on top of standard registration costs, with all funds deposited into a dedicated scholarship fund. The fund would provide annual support to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation to award educational scholarships to children of Marines, including active duty, retired, or honorably discharged service members. The license plate design would be selected by the Motor Vehicle Commission in consultation with the Foundation.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Secretary of State to create an agreement with the Administrative Office of the Courts. It would match voter registration data with jury records showing people excused from service due to non-citizenship. The goal is to identify and remove non-citizen registrants from the statewide voter rolls, as they are ineligible to vote under state and federal law. The matching would apply retroactively to all available jury records since 1994, when voter registration became possible while applying for a driver's license. This targets specific registrants who claimed non-citizenship during jury duty requests.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1507) prohibits most entities - including state/local governments, schools, childcare centers, and colleges - from requiring COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of attendance or services. It exempts healthcare workers at licensed facilities who must vaccinate to work with vulnerable patients, aligning with existing healthcare worker vaccine requirements. The bill also creates a reimbursement program through the New Jersey Department of Health to cover out-of-pocket costs for healthcare workers who pay for the vaccine themselves when insurance doesn’t cover it, require employer reimbursement, or face undue financial burden. To qualify, workers must certify specific eligibility conditions, and false claims carry penalties including repayment and fines up to $1,000.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public utilities (like gas, electric, and water companies) and cable TV companies to relocate their cables, pipes, poles, and other facilities when the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) directs it for highway or infrastructure projects. It establishes a process where DOT must work with utilities to create a relocation plan, with utilities required to provide facility details within 60 days and confirm acceptance within 30 days. While DOT covers relocation costs, utilities must pay for pre-engineering, delays, and design work caused by their own actions. This aims to streamline project timelines by holding utilities accountable for delays affecting construction schedules.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows forested lands and woodlands devoted to producing USDA-designated specialty crops (such as maple syrup) to qualify for farmland assessment without needing a woodland management plan. Landowners growing specialty crops on forested land would no longer have to submit a woodland management plan to receive the lower tax assessment for farmland. The bill amends New Jersey's Farmland Assessment Act to exempt these lands from the management plan requirement while maintaining existing income and eligibility standards. This change simplifies the process for landowners growing specialty crops on forested properties.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A185) requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to study extending sewer service in the Lake Hopatcong watershed within 90 days, assessing whether it would significantly improve the lake's water quality. If the DEP determines sewer extension isn't feasible or beneficial, it must notify the tax division and define the geographic area eligible for a tax deduction. Homeowners in that designated area can then deduct half the cost of septic system maintenance performed at their primary residence. The deduction requires documented proof of maintenance compliant with DEP regulations, with tax authorities establishing eligibility standards.