Asm. Brian Bergen

Maddy summaryThis bill increases mandatory minimum prison sentences for repeat sex offenders in New Jersey. It requires courts to impose a fixed minimum of 85% of the maximum sentence for second or subsequent convictions of offenses like sexual assault, criminal sexual contact, or lewdness involving minors, replacing the current 5-year minimum. Exceptions allow judges to reduce sentences if a plea agreement benefits the victim or if imposing the full term would cause a "serious injustice," but courts must justify any reduction. The bill applies to specific crimes, such as 85% of 20 years for aggravated sexual assault (1st degree) and 85% of 10 years for sexual assault (2nd degree).

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires electric utilities to charge residential electricity rates for service used at electric vehicle (EV) charging stations located in designated parking spaces reserved for a resident's exclusive use. It directly affects residential customers living in single-family homes, apartments, or planned developments (like condos) who use EV charging in their own garage, driveway, or a designated spot within their development. The bill mandates that utilities cannot charge commercial rates for such service, ensuring lower costs for homeowners using EVs at their residence. It also clarifies that planned developments can set their own prices for electricity sold through their charging stations, while the utility must still bill at the residential rate for the electricity delivered.

Maddy summaryBill A2738 requires New Jersey to distribute remaining federal COVID-19 relief grants to local governments based *solely* on population size, without minimum population thresholds. It applies to all pending federal funds not yet dispersed, committed, or incurred as of the bill’s effective date. The bill mandates the Department of Treasury to create new application regulations (based on "need") and post them online before implementation. This would replace current distribution methods, ensuring every municipality receives funds proportional to its population. The law expires once all eligible grants are disbursed.

Maddy summaryAJR 81 is a symbolic joint resolution designating August 22 of each year as "General Norman Schwarzkopf Day" in New Jersey. It honors the late General Norman Schwarzkopf, a Trenton-born military leader who served over 35 years in the U.S. Army, including commanding Operation Desert Storm during the Persian Gulf War. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of the day through events and activities. This is a commemorative measure with no policy changes or direct impact on constituents or legislation.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Bleacher Safety Act (A1363) requires safety standards for existing bleachers at public venues like sports arenas, schools, and event centers. It directs the Commissioner of Community Affairs to create safety standards within six months, using U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines, and mandates that all entities - governmental (e.g., school districts), private, and nonprofit - upgrade or retrofit bleachers to meet these standards. Governmental entities must comply within one year (or sooner if funding is available), while private and nonprofit entities have two years. Non-compliant bleachers must display warning notices and cannot be used after deadlines pass.

Maddy summaryThe "Assistance to Firefighters' Families Act" doubles annual pension payments for families of volunteer firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and rescue workers who die while on duty. It increases the maximum group life insurance coverage for these volunteers from $25,000 to $250,000 and requires municipalities to cover reasonable funeral and burial costs not paid by firemen's associations. Municipalities can fund these benefits by adding a surcharge to fire code inspection fees. The bill directly affects volunteer emergency service providers and their families in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey law enforcement officers (including full-time, part-time, permanent, and temporary officers empowered to enforce criminal laws and complete approved training) to annually pass a physical fitness exam. The Police Training Commission, with input from the Attorney General and criminal justice officials, must create age- and gender-specific fitness standards reviewed every two years. Officers who fail the exam would have disciplinary actions like demotion or termination recommended by the Commission to their employer. The bill appropriates $500,000 from the state general fund to cover the Commission’s implementation costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Military Family Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to military-connected individuals. It allows taxpayers to voluntarily contribute to the fund by designating a portion of their state income tax refund or making an additional payment on their tax return. The fund will provide grants up to $2,500 to cover essential expenses like food, housing, and medical costs for: (1) active-duty military members and their families, (2) New Jersey National Guard members and families, (3) veterans and their families, or (4) surviving spouses of military members or veterans. To qualify, applicants must be New Jersey residents who lived in the state for at least 12 consecutive months prior to applying and must provide proof of financial hardship, with a limit of one grant per 12-month period.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 28) urges the federal government to approve oil and natural gas pipelines within the U.S., including those previously denied or shut down (like the Keystone XL Pipeline, revoked by President Biden in 2021). It argues that approving such pipelines would enhance U.S. energy independence, reduce reliance on foreign energy sources (e.g., from Russia or Venezuela), and lower fuel costs while creating jobs. The resolution directs copies to federal leaders but does not create new law or directly affect residents. It focuses on advocating for pipeline approvals as a policy action, not on implementing specific regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to limit New Jersey General Assembly members to 12 consecutive years of service. It would apply only to service after the amendment is adopted, meaning current members' prior service would not count toward the cap. Members serving a term at the end of their 12th consecutive year could complete that term, and service filling unexpired terms (one year or more) would count toward the limit. The amendment would reset the 12-year count if a member leaves office for at least one full term before returning.