Asm. Brian Bergen

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 25% tax credit for New Jersey businesses that purchase "New Jersey made" products for retail sales, manufacturing, or production processes. The credit equals 25% of the ratio between costs for qualifying New Jersey products and total product costs, excluding items that couldn't be substituted with local alternatives. Businesses must demonstrate that less than two-thirds of their product costs couldn't be replaced with New Jersey-made options to qualify. Unused credits can be carried forward for up to seven tax years, but the credit combined with other credits cannot reduce tax liability below the statutory minimum. A "New Jersey made" product is defined as one where all significant parts, processing, and labor originate in New Jersey with negligible out-of-state content.

Maddy summaryAJR 84 designates the Monday of Manufacturing Week (the first week of October) as "Women in Manufacturing Day" in New Jersey. This resolution amends an existing law to formally recognize women's contributions to the state's manufacturing industry, which employs one-third of the workforce and includes significant leadership roles. The bill requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public and private organizations to observe the day with events. It does not create new funding, regulations, or obligations, but establishes a recurring recognition day.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2726) exempts honorably discharged veterans from paying New Jersey's passenger motor vehicle registration fee for vehicles not used for hire. It directly affects eligible veterans who own such vehicles in New Jersey, requiring them to provide proof of honorable discharge (as defined by the Adjutant General) to qualify. The bill mandates the Motor Vehicle Commission Chief Administrator and the Adjutant General to establish application procedures and documentation standards for the exemption. Additionally, it requires the Adjutant General to notify all eligible veterans about this fee exemption opportunity.

Maddy summaryThis bill redirects 50% of fiscal year 2023 transportation and security aid currently allocated to "remote school districts" to "in-person school districts." Remote districts are defined as those certifying (under penalty of perjury) they offered in-person instruction on 50% or fewer school days during 2021-2022; in-person districts must certify 75% or more in-person days. The redistributed funds will be distributed equally per student to qualifying in-person districts. The bill applies to existing aid already allocated for the 2022-2023 school year, not new funding. It requires school superintendents to provide certification to determine district classifications.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $500,000 child care reimbursement program through New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) to help parents with costs incurred due to pandemic-related school closures. It directly affects employed parents or guardians who need licensed child care because schools switched to remote learning or closed during the COVID-19 emergency. Eligible families apply to DCF, which will set selection criteria and distribute funds to reimburse tuition for licensed child care centers. The program uses federal CARES Act funds and expires when the state's declared public health emergency ends.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises New Jersey's standard for determining whether workers are employees or independent contractors under state labor laws. It replaces the current "ABC" test with a new framework that considers three categories of evidence: behavioral control, financial control, and the nature of the working relationship. The new standard aligns with the test used by the federal Internal Revenue Service. This change affects workers and employers across multiple laws, including unemployment compensation, wage payment rules, and tax withholding requirements. Under the new standard, the Department of Labor must consider all relevant evidence about control and independence when making these determinations.

Maddy summaryAJR 52 designates May of each year as "Law Enforcement and Correctional Police Officer Appreciation Month" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor to issue a proclamation encouraging public officials and residents to observe the month with activities honoring these officers' service. It does not create new laws, funding, or programs but serves as a symbolic recognition of their roles and sacrifices.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill prohibits elected municipal officials (such as mayors, council members, or commissioners) from accepting any paid employment with the same municipality they serve. It amends the Local Government Ethics Law (P.L.1991, c.29) to add a clear, explicit ban - stating elected officers "shall not accept any other paid position or employment with the municipality." The rule applies immediately to all future employment opportunities within the municipality, eliminating ambiguity around existing ethics rules that previously addressed conflicts only indirectly. This change directly affects local elected leaders by preventing them from using their office to secure personal financial gain through municipal employment.

Maddy summaryMichelle's Law requires New Jersey health insurance plans to cover mammograms when recommended by a healthcare provider, regardless of the patient's age. This expands current coverage, which only requires mammograms for women 40 and older or younger women with specific risk factors like family history of breast cancer. The bill also mandates coverage for additional testing like ultrasounds or MRIs after a mammogram if recommended by a provider. This affects health insurance companies, requiring them to cover these services without prior authorization when recommended by a healthcare provider.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits retirement payments for unused sick leave to $15,000 and prohibits payment for sick leave earned after the bill's effective date. It requires public employees to provide medical documentation for six or more consecutive days of sick leave, with penalties including unpaid leave and potential termination for violations. The bill also suspends retirement payments if an employee is indicted for certain crimes and forfeits payments upon conviction for those crimes. These provisions apply to state, local government, and school board employees in New Jersey. The bill will take effect two months after enactment.