Asm. Brian Bergen

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey to distribute a portion of federal ESSER II funds (specifically the state reserve) exclusively to school districts that met specific in-person instruction thresholds during the 2020-2021 school year. It defines "in-person districts" as those offering in-person instruction on 75%+ of days (receiving 1.5x the per-pupil funding) and "hybrid districts" as those offering it on 25%-74% of days (receiving standard per-pupil funding). Districts not meeting either definition are excluded from this distribution. Superintendents must certify compliance under penalty of perjury to qualify.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new state fund to provide property tax relief to municipalities located in New Jersey's Highlands preservation area. Qualified municipalities must either be entirely within the preservation area or have at least 60% of their land in the preservation area while following regional planning standards. The aid amount is calculated based on the decline in true value of vacant land between 2023 (the base year) and the current year. The state will pay eligible municipalities in two annual installments from the fund, which will be funded by the existing "Highlands Protection Fund."

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey municipalities to dredge waterways in lagoon communities - defined as coastal residential developments where waterways function as streets for boat access - to maintain transportation. Municipalities may finance dredging through special assessments on benefiting property owners or by issuing bonds under existing laws. The bill covers both maintenance and restorative dredging for waterways serving these communities. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 78) urges Congress to extend the five-year time limit for upgrading certain military honors, such as the Medal of Honor. It specifically references Sergeant First Class Alwyn Cashe, who died in 2005 after heroic actions in Iraq that saved six soldiers but were only posthumously recognized with a Silver Star (the third-highest combat honor). The resolution highlights that the current rule prevents upgrading awards after five years, even when the Department of Defense recommends an upgrade (as Secretary Esper did for Cashe), and requires Congressional action to waive this limit. The resolution directly affects military personnel whose valor was initially recognized with a lower honor but later deemed worthy of a higher award beyond the five-year window.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to create a program offering one-time grants of up to $10,000 to veterans who purchase business franchises in the state. It directly affects veterans who are approved by the EDA for participation and become franchisees operating within New Jersey. Key provisions include requiring veterans to apply for approval, prioritizing those applying within six months of the bill's effective date, and mandating annual reporting to verify the funds were used for franchise purchases within the state. The EDA will administer the program using a dedicated fund supported by state appropriations and eligible private donations.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey employers from refusing to hire or firing employees based on their legal use of cannabis outside of work hours. It allows drug testing only under specific circumstances like reasonable suspicion of impairment during work, observable intoxication, or after work-related accidents. Employers may not conduct pre-employment cannabis testing except for certain safety-sensitive positions involving critical infrastructure, public utilities, transportation safety, or law enforcement where firearms are required. The bill also establishes a certification program for workplace impairment recognition experts to help determine if an employee is impaired by cannabis while on the job. These protections do not apply to employees in jobs where impairment could pose a high risk to safety or public health.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a 2020 law that prohibited stores, restaurants, and food pantries from providing single-use plastic bags, paper bags, polystyrene foam containers, and plastic straws. It would allow these businesses to once again sell or provide these items without requiring customers to specifically request them. The repeal directly affects retail establishments, food service businesses, and food banks that currently face restrictions on these products. This change reverses specific environmental restrictions on single-use products implemented in 2020.

Maddy summaryACR 84 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds majority vote in both New Jersey legislative chambers to pass bills that create new taxes or increase existing taxes, fees, surcharges, or civil penalties. Currently, such bills only need a simple majority (more than 50%) to pass. This change would directly affect the legislative process for tax-related bills, requiring broader consensus before they can become law. The amendment, if approved by voters, would apply to all tax-related bills introduced after its adoption.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the duration of certain emergency orders, rules, or regulations issued by New Jersey's Governor under the Civil Defense Act to a maximum of 14 days. It requires the Legislature to approve any extension beyond this 14-day period through a concurrent resolution. The Governor cannot issue identical or substantially similar orders for the same emergency after one expires under this rule. Exceptions include orders rescinding prior emergency measures, federal compliance requirements, internal state government operations, military orders, or orders issued under other laws with longer terms.

Maddy summaryAJR 85 designates January 13 of each year as Korean American Day in New Jersey. This ceremonial resolution commemorates the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the U.S. on January 13, 1903, and recognizes the contributions of Korean Americans to New Jersey and the nation. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of the day. The bill directly affects New Jersey's Korean American community (over 168,000 residents) and aligns with national recognition established by U.S. Congress in 2005.