Asm. Aura Dunn

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3802) requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to automatically register eligible applicants for voter registration when they apply for or renew a driver's license, permit, or non-driver ID card, unless they decline. It directly affects residents applying for MVC services who meet voting eligibility requirements (e.g., age, citizenship, residency). Key provisions include: requiring MVC to provide clear notices about automatic registration and eligibility, using separate forms for ineligible applicants (who cannot register), and ensuring voter data is transmitted securely to the Secretary of State while protecting privacy for domestic violence victims. The law also mandates that address changes submitted to MVC update voter records automatically, unless declined.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 360) prohibits New Jersey school districts and public colleges from banning active-duty military members or veterans from speaking to students at school events, classes, assemblies, graduation ceremonies, or student groups. It requires schools to forward any correspondence from military/veterans seeking to speak to county superintendents and mandates that schools cannot adopt policies blocking such addresses. Violations risk state aid reductions for school districts (via the Commissioner of Education) or public colleges (via the State Treasurer). The law applies immediately to all public educational settings in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 734) requires political committees and independent expenditure groups to file more detailed campaign finance reports, including contributor occupations and employer addresses for donations over $200. It extends the statute of limitations for campaign finance violations from 2 to 5 years and exempts reports filed with New Jersey's Election Law Enforcement Commission from certain document redaction rules. The bill directly affects political committees, campaign treasurers, and independent expenditure groups by mandating enhanced reporting deadlines (including 24-hour filings during the final week before elections) and quarterly filings for "continuing political committees." These changes aim to increase transparency in campaign financing while strengthening enforcement of campaign finance laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Rutgers University's Bloustein School to study the economic impact of military installations (like bases and camps) in New Jersey. The study will analyze how these installations affect the state's economy, including their impact on gross domestic product, jobs, tax revenue, and infrastructure projects. Rutgers must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within one year, using $155,000 appropriated from the state budget for this specific purpose. The study aims to provide data-driven insights to inform future budget and planning decisions.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill excludes military reenlistment and voluntary extension bonuses from state gross income tax. It directly affects active-duty service members in the U.S. Armed Forces who receive these bonuses while residing in New Jersey. The key provision amends state tax law to specifically exempt these bonuses from taxable income, meaning eligible service members won't pay state income tax on them. The change applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3159) prohibits New Jersey state agencies from granting new economic development subsidies to businesses that previously received a loan-based subsidy but have not paid the principal and interest on that loan for more than 24 months. It directly affects businesses that received prior state loan or loan guarantee subsidies but are significantly behind on repayments. The key change amends existing law by replacing the requirement of "default" with a specific 24-month overdue threshold for loan payments. This policy adjustment applies to subsidies valued at over $25,000 intended to stimulate economic development. The bill does not alter current eligibility rules for businesses not in this overdue repayment category.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3145) increases state aid to New Jersey municipalities from the Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over five years to reverse previous aid cuts. It directly affects all municipalities by requiring them to reduce their annual property tax levies by the amount of the additional state aid received. Key provisions update how the fund's distributions are calculated and require that new aid amounts be subtracted from each municipality's local tax levy. The bill modifies existing laws (P.L.1997, c.167 and P.L.2007, c.62) to implement this adjustment. It does not change the total annual fund amount but ensures municipalities cannot increase their tax burden while receiving more state aid.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's legal definition of domestic violence to explicitly include psychological abuse and economic abuse. It adds two new categories to the existing definition: (1) psychological abuse that causes fear or distress impacting daily life, and (2) economic abuse that restricts a person's ability to access money, property, goods, or services. The change directly affects victims protected under the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, broadening legal recourse for non-physical forms of control. The amendment applies to all individuals meeting the act's victim criteria, including those in dating relationships or with shared children.

Maddy summaryACR 47 proposes a constitutional amendment to redirect New Jersey's personal income tax revenue directly to public schools. It would require all net receipts from the state's income tax to be allocated to school districts on a per-student basis, replacing the current system where such revenue partially funded property tax relief. The amendment specifies that this allocation would fulfill the state's constitutional duty to maintain "a thorough and efficient system of free public schools," while clarifying that the Legislature retains authority to provide additional school funding through other means. This change would modify Article VIII of the New Jersey Constitution to explicitly mandate school district funding from income tax revenue, rather than allowing flexibility for property tax relief or other uses.

Maddy summaryThe "Healthy Smiles Act" increases NJ FamilyCare's fee-for-service reimbursement rates for pediatric dental services by 20% starting July 1, 2025 (or 60 days after enactment), with annual adjustments based on regional inflation. It also requires managed care organizations to pay providers at least the same rate for identical services as the fee-for-service rate. This directly affects children under 21 enrolled in NJ FamilyCare (covering 20% of New Jersey’s population) and dental providers participating in the program. The goal is to improve access to dental care by addressing historically low reimbursement rates that have limited provider participation.