Asm. Aura Dunn

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to provide license applicants with a summary of recent changes to motor vehicle and traffic safety laws during driver's license renewal. At each renewal, the MVC must provide a summary of laws or regulations enacted or substantially amended in the state within the previous four years. This requirement applies to all New Jersey residents renewing their driver's licenses, ensuring they are aware of recent legal changes affecting road safety. The provision aims to improve driver knowledge of current traffic laws without altering the licensing process itself.

Maddy summaryACR 176 is a non-binding resolution expressing support for U.S. and New Jersey law enforcement officers, urging all government levels to improve their safety and well-being. It highlights concerning statistics, including over 200 officer deaths in the line of duty (2021-2023) and rising assault rates, and recommends specific actions: increasing officer staffing, enhancing equipment/training, strengthening penalties for assaults on officers, and expanding mental health resources. The resolution directly affects law enforcement officers nationwide by calling for concrete policy changes to address safety and support gaps. It does not create new laws but formally urges government action based on documented challenges faced by officers.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates a 2.5% surtax called the "Corporate Transit Fee" that applied to corporations with New Jersey taxable income exceeding $10 million during 2024-2028. It directly affects large corporations meeting this income threshold, removing their obligation to pay this fee for all future privilege periods after enactment. The bill repeals the existing law (P.L.2024, c.20) that required the fee and mandated its revenue fund New Jersey Transit's operating costs and capital projects. Effective immediately upon enactment, qualifying corporations will no longer pay this surtax.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the Work First New Jersey Child Care subsidy program appropriation by $28 million in the FY2026 budget, raising the total from $565.8 million to $593.8 million. It directly affects lower-income families who rely on the child care subsidy program to cover part of their child care costs. The bill reverses a pause on new applications and a recent increase in family copayments (from 1-5% to 2-6% of income) by requiring the Department of Human Services to resume accepting applications and return to pre-August 1, 2025 eligibility standards and copayment rates. This addresses a projected $25-30 million funding shortfall that had forced the program to limit enrollment and raise costs for families.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5049) removes a current restriction that allows the Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS) to withhold retirement or death benefits from members if they are involved in pending civil lawsuits related to their employment. It specifically prohibits the PFRS Board from delaying benefits due to such civil litigation, though it maintains the ability to withhold benefits for members facing criminal charges or administrative dismissal. The bill requires the Board to adjust benefits after any legal case concludes, rather than holding payments indefinitely during litigation. This change directly affects current and future PFRS members who are involved in employment-related civil disputes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to report on 12th-grade students who enter registered apprenticeships or enlist in military service (active duty, reserves, or National Guard) as part of their annual school performance reports. It mandates that the state education commissioner include this data as a positive indicator in the state's federal accountability system under the Every Student Succeeds Act, without negatively impacting school ratings. The bill defines "registered apprenticeship" as programs meeting U.S. Department of Labor standards, involving combined classroom and on-the-job training. This affects all public high schools in New Jersey by expanding required reporting on student post-graduation pathways beyond traditional college or employment.

Maddy summaryThis bill mandates Rutgers University's Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy to study how military installations in New Jersey impact the state's economy, including effects on jobs, tax revenue, infrastructure, and overall economic output. The study must analyze direct and indirect economic effects at both state and county levels, evaluate benefits of military projects, and identify potential risks. Rutgers will receive $155,000 in state funding to conduct the study and submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within one year. The study aims to provide data-driven insights for state policymakers to inform future economic planning and resource allocation.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey counties and municipalities to use funds from their existing open space trust funds to remediate collapsed mine shafts and sinkholes on public property. Currently, these funds are used for open space, recreation, floodplain protection, farmland, and historic preservation purposes. The bill expands the authorized uses to include mine shaft and sinkhole remediation, requiring local governments to adopt an ordinance and hold a public hearing before using funds for this purpose. There's a $100,000 limit per project, and funds would be moved to a new "Mine Remediation Trust Fund" for this specific purpose.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Farm to School Local Food Procurement Reimbursement Grant Program to help school districts increase their sourcing of local foods for students. It appropriates $6,500,000 from the General Fund, with $5.5 million dedicated to grants and $1 million for administrative costs. Eligible school districts (those serving students eligible for subsidized meals) can apply for annual grants based on size: small districts (under 5,000 students) receive $10,000-$50,000, medium districts (5,000-10,000 students) get $20,000-$125,000, and large districts (10,000+ students) receive $44,000-$250,000. At least 80% of grant funds must reimburse costs for sourcing additional local foods, while up to 20% can cover equipment or staff training, with priority given to districts in food deserts or those sourcing from small/mid-sized farms.

Maddy summaryThe "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act" (S 3309) requires used car dealers to check for open recalls on vehicles before sale using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website and provide prospective buyers with printed recall information if any are found. Dealers cannot sell vehicles subject to stop-sale or do-not-drive notices issued by NHTSA. The bill mandates dealers to report vehicles with unresolved recalls (for which repairs remain uncompleted six months after initial notice) to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission every 180 days, prompting the Commission to send notices directly to vehicle owners. For vehicles with unavailable parts for recalls, dealers receive monthly compensation equal to 1.75% of the vehicle's value until repairs are completed.