Asm. Aura Dunn

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Energy Master Plan (EMP) and each 3-year revision to receive formal legislative approval to become state policy. Specifically, it mandates that the Legislature must adopt a concurrent resolution approving the EMP within six months of its adoption by the Energy Master Plan Committee. The Committee continues to prepare the plan with public hearings, but the plan cannot take effect as state policy without this legislative vote. This change adds a legislative oversight step to the existing process for developing the state's energy strategy.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A1887 proposes to remove specific date and location requirements for veterans to qualify for state benefits. Currently, eligibility depends on service during defined conflict periods (e.g., WWII service between September 1940-December 1946), but this bill would amend the definition of "veteran" to eliminate those time-bound criteria. It directly affects veterans who served in conflicts like World War II, Korea, Vietnam, or later missions but may not meet the current narrow date windows. The change would broaden eligibility by focusing on service-connected status rather than exact historical dates. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3804) extends the required public notice period for certain land use applications from 10 to 21 days before a hearing. It directly affects developers, municipalities, and nearby property owners by requiring longer advance notice for projects like major subdivisions, site plans, or modifications to development approvals. The key change amends Section 7.1 of New Jersey's land use law to mandate 21 days of notice, while maintaining existing exceptions for minor site plans or conventional reviews. Public notice must still be published in local newspapers and delivered to property owners within 200 feet of the proposed project.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's four-year public colleges from charging tuition or fees to the spouse or dependent child of a disabled veteran who meets specific criteria. To qualify, the student must be accepted for undergraduate study, have applied for all available state/federal grants and scholarships, and applied for VA tuition benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. The state will reimburse institutions for waived tuition costs. It directly affects disabled veterans' families seeking undergraduate education at public universities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires certain rooming and boarding houses, as well as cooperative sober living residences, to comply with municipal land use regulations like zoning rules. It specifically mandates that applicants for a state Class F license to operate a cooperative sober living residence must submit written approvals from local zoning, fire, health, and building authorities with their license application. Currently, these facilities were exempt from municipal land use regulations (though subject to construction codes), but this bill removes that exemption for land use. The change directly affects owners and operators of these housing types in New Jersey, requiring new paperwork for state licensing. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases New Jersey's child tax credit for families with children under age 12. It raises the income limit for full eligibility from $80,000 to $100,000 annually and boosts maximum credit amounts: up to $2,600 per child under age six for lower-income families, and $2,000 per child aged six to 11. The credit phases out gradually as income rises above $50,000, with no reduction for households earning $50,000 or less. It applies to New Jersey residents filing state tax returns with qualifying children under 12.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes New Jersey's "Welcome Home Veterans Bonus" program within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. It provides cash payments to eligible veterans who served in specific military operations (like OEF, OIF, or OIR) and were honorably discharged, with residency requirements. Veterans receive $1,000 for overseas combat service with hostile fire pay, $500 for domestic service, or $300 for certain expeditionary medals, plus 50% for subsequent deployments. Veterans discharged under other than honorable conditions due to sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or HIV status (per DD-214) are also eligible. Payments come from a dedicated "Welcome Home Fund" administered by the DMVA.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special "Support Our Veterans" license plate in New Jersey, available to vehicle owners who pay a $50 application fee plus a $10 annual fee. The collected fees fund a dedicated "Support Our Veterans License Plate Fund," which annually supports the Veterans Haven Council's services for homeless veterans housed at Veterans Haven facilities. The fund, managed within the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, covers costs for veterans' housing and support programs. The plate design will be chosen with input from the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs, and initial costs are offset by donations from the Veterans Haven Council and other donors, not public funds.

Maddy summaryAJR 106 designates September 22nd each year as "Veterans Suicide Awareness & Remembrance Day" in New Jersey. The resolution aims to raise public awareness about the high suicide rates among veterans and active military members - citing over 65,000 veteran and active-duty suicides since 2010 - and reduce stigma around mental health treatment. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance through activities that honor those who died by suicide and support affected families. This ceremonial resolution does not create new programs or funding but seeks to foster community recognition of a critical public health issue affecting military service members.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey municipalities to offer taxpayers and permit applicants the option to receive property tax bills, construction permits, and payment receipts via email, rather than by mail. Municipalities must adopt a local ordinance to implement this option but cannot require residents to use email - paper copies must remain available at no extra cost. It specifically covers property tax notices under state law, construction permits issued under the State Uniform Construction Code, and receipts for municipal fees. The bill ensures no one is forced to use electronic delivery and maintains the current paper-based system as the default.