Asm. Aura Dunn

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the New Jersey State Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling membership from 13 to 15 members. It reduces public members from three to two, replaces the requirement for one licensed educator with two public school vocational program representatives and two private school representatives, and adds two members who own or operate hair braiding shops. The bill also broadens the six licensed professional slots to include any cosmetology-related profession the board licenses, rather than limiting them to specific roles. These changes aim to better represent New Jersey's diverse cosmetology and hairstyling industry stakeholders.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands workers' compensation coverage for cardiovascular or cerebrovascular injuries or deaths occurring during emergency work for public safety personnel. It applies to volunteer and professional firefighters, police, emergency medical technicians (including those employed by private entities), 911 dispatchers, and volunteer emergency management staff. The law creates a rebuttable presumption that such injuries are work-related if they occur during emergency response or within 24 hours of "remediating" (post-emergency protocols). Rebuttal requires clear medical evidence showing work wasn't a substantial cause, or proof of factors like intoxication or self-infliction.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey - including private insurers, state employee programs, and school employee plans - to cover mental health treatment for suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts specifically for women during the one-year postpartum period (after childbirth). It defines "suicidal ideation" as thinking about or planning suicide, and "attempted suicide" as self-harming behavior intended to cause harm or death. The law applies immediately to all existing and new health benefit plans in the state, closing a gap where such coverage was not mandated. It directly affects postpartum women by ensuring insurance coverage for these critical mental health services.

Maddy summaryThe bill establishes the New Jersey Revenue Advisory Board, consisting of the State Treasurer, Legislative Budget and Finance Officer, and four public members with expertise in finance, economics, and tax policy, to provide annual consensus revenue forecasts for the state budget process. It requires the Governor to reference these forecasts in the annual budget message and explain any differences between them and the Governor's revenue estimates. The bill also updates state financial reporting requirements to include more detailed monthly and annual reports on revenue, expenditures, and cash flow, and mandates annual stress testing of the state's financial position to prepare for economic downturns. These changes aim to increase transparency and improve the accuracy of state financial forecasting and planning.

Maddy summaryThis bill suspends fines for minor first-time paperwork errors by small businesses related to state agency reporting. It applies to businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees (aligned with federal Small Business Act definitions), excluding violations involving taxes, public safety risks, or uncorrected errors after six months. If a violation poses a public safety danger, the agency may still impose a fine unless the business corrects it within 24 hours. Exceptions include violations causing serious harm, interfering with criminal investigations, or failing to correct errors timely.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a formal process for submitting and publishing proposed changes to the Governor's annual budget recommendations. It requires all budget resolutions (proposals to add, delete, or modify funding items) to be filed with legislative budget committees and published publicly on the Legislature's website by June 1 each year. The bill mandates that sponsors include detailed explanations of proposed changes and disclose any potential conflicts of interest involving themselves or immediate family members related to the funding recipient. This affects all Assembly and Senate members, the State Treasurer, and the public by requiring timely disclosure before the final appropriations bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryAJR 34 designates October 1 of each year as "New Jersey Diner Day" to celebrate the state's cultural and historical connection to diners. The resolution recognizes New Jersey as the "Diner Capital of the World" with approximately 525 diners - the most in any state - and requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance. This ceremonial resolution does not create new laws or affect any individuals or businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2695) amends New Jersey law to limit political party representation on the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council. It specifies that no more than four of the seven public members appointed by the Governor (from the general public) may belong to the same political party. This change directly affects the appointment process for these seven council members, ensuring broader political diversity. The provision applies specifically to the public members appointed under Section 5 of P.L.2004, c.120, without altering other council composition rules or responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies to identify at least two existing rules for repeal before adopting any new rule. The key mechanism mandates that agencies list two existing rules to be repealed for every new rule proposed, which must be included in the notice of proposed rulemaking. This requirement is intended to create a more deliberate rulemaking process that helps control regulatory costs. The bill is modeled after a similar federal executive order from the Trump administration.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey shore municipalities (those bordering the Atlantic Ocean, tidal bays, or rivers) to provide free beach access and recreational facility use to qualifying veterans. It mandates that no fees be charged to veterans honorably discharged from U.S. Armed Forces who served at least 90 days in active duty or were discharged due to a service-incurred injury/disability. The Adjutant General will establish eligibility rules, and veterans can verify status using a military ID, DD-214, or a state ID with a Gold Star Family designation. This replaces prior law that allowed municipalities to optionally offer free access but did not require it.