Asm. Brian Bergen

Maddy summaryThis bill changes a state law to require legislators who hold local government jobs (county or municipal positions) to take unpaid leave when performing legislative duties, rather than receiving paid time off. It directly affects state legislators employed by local governments who currently receive full pay from their local job while attending legislative sessions. The key provision amends existing law to replace "time off without loss of pay" with "approved leave of absence without pay" for legislative attendance. This eliminates the practice of legislators collecting dual pay for the same work period.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public high school students in grades 10-12 who participate in school-sponsored sports to replace their physical education class with a study hall during their sport's athletic season. Students must get written parental approval and have their coach confirm their participation, and their athletic involvement will count toward their graduation physical education credit requirement. The bill does not affect students not in sports, younger grades, or the existing requirement for health and safety education courses. It applies starting the 2024-2025 school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2709) allows grocery stores, restaurants, and other food retailers to voluntarily donate expired or unsellable food (like past-due items or restaurant leftovers) to farmers for use as animal feed. It requires farmers to sign a liability waiver acknowledging potential risks to animals or people and releasing the donor from legal responsibility. The Farm Liaison (from existing law) will help connect donors with farmers and coordinate donation logistics. The law creates a new pathway for food waste reduction while protecting donors from liability claims.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "New Jersey Pandemic Bill of Rights for the Welfare of Individuals," granting specific protections to all New Jersey residents during pandemics, disease outbreaks, or public health emergencies. It requires healthcare facilities to provide safeguards for nursing home residents and those with health conditions, ensure proper medical evaluation before discharge, guarantee adequate care and therapy, allow family visitation, and protect legal directives like "do not resuscitate" orders. The bill mandates that attorneys be designated as essential workers with open offices and ensures access to legal services during emergencies. The Commissioner of Health must publish these rights online and require all healthcare facilities to display them prominently.

Maddy summaryThis bill would increase New Jersey's annual property tax deduction for eligible seniors (65+) and disabled persons from $250 to $500, effective starting in 2027. It directly affects low-income residents meeting income limits ($10,000 annually) who own or reside in qualifying property. The deduction amount would gradually rise from $300 (2023) to $500 (2027 and beyond), but the bill requires voter approval of a constitutional amendment before taking effect. The change applies to property taxes assessed against the resident's dwelling, not additional benefits like homestead rebates.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for free or reduced-fee beach access in New Jersey shore municipalities to include any New Jersey National Guard member who was honorably discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. Currently, only active Guard members who completed initial training qualify; this bill adds those who have served and been discharged honorably. Municipalities may choose to provide these benefits through existing ordinances, verifying eligibility via documents like DD-214 military discharge papers or veteran ID cards. It does not require municipalities to offer these benefits but gives them a new category to include. The change affects discharged National Guard members and their families, aligning with existing categories for active military and veterans.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a sales tax credit for small businesses in New Jersey that collect and remit sales tax. It provides a credit equal to 10% of a business's monthly tax remittance, capped at $100 per month, when filing tax returns. To qualify, a business must be independently owned, operate with fewer than 20 full-time employees, and verify eligibility with tax authorities. Businesses falsely claiming the credit face penalties of $100 for a first offense and $200 for subsequent offenses. The credit applies to sales tax remitted on or after the sixth month following the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the tax on cigars in New Jersey to a maximum of $0.50 per cigar, replacing the current 30% tax on wholesale price. It directly affects cigar retailers and consumers by capping the tax rate, which previously could exceed $0.50 for higher-priced cigars. The key mechanism is amending the tobacco tax law to set this flat maximum, clarifying that cigar tax cannot exceed 50 cents regardless of wholesale cost. This change aims to level the playing field for New Jersey brick-and-mortar cigar shops competing with out-of-state online sellers that don’t collect state tax.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates car wash businesses as essential during state or public health emergencies, allowing them to remain open if the Governor orders non-essential businesses to shut down. It does not force car washes to operate - owners may still choose to close - but requires them to follow all emergency safety standards, including providing protective equipment for employees. The law applies specifically to New Jersey businesses and takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's existing small business loan program administered by the Economic Development Authority (EDA) to include certified broadband telecommunications service providers operating in rural areas. It specifically adds "broadband telecommunications service providers" to the list of eligible borrowers, defined as entities certified by the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to offer high-speed broadband (25 Mbps download/3 Mbps upload) in rural areas (population ≤30,000 and density <4,000/sq mile). The EDA will administer these loans with consultation from the BPU, following existing program rules for small business loans. This change allows rural broadband providers to access capital for infrastructure and operations under the same framework as other small businesses.