Asm. Jay Webber

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits elected local government officers from accepting employment with a law firm they voted to award a government contract to, for the contract's duration plus one year. It also prevents local governments from continuing or entering new contracts with that firm for one year if a former officer who voted for the contract joins it. The restriction applies to professional services contracts (like legal work) and must be included in contract documents. This policy change aims to prevent conflicts of interest where officials might secure future employment through their voting decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3400) requires municipalities within regional school districts to share payments they receive from urban renewal entities in lieu of property taxes with both their county and the regional school district. Upon receiving these payments, municipalities must immediately remit a portion based on the distribution shown on the previous year's tax bill. This applies to payments received under long-term property tax exemption agreements for redevelopment projects. The policy change affects municipalities, counties, and regional school districts participating in urban renewal programs, but does not alter the amount of the annual service charge.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits liability for operators of facilities where physically-exerting recreational activities occur, such as sports fields, trampoline parks, or racing venues. It deems participants and spectators to assume inherent risks - like common injuries in activities including soccer, basketball, or rock climbing - meaning they cannot sue operators for injuries arising from those normal risks. However, operators remain liable for gross negligence or willful misconduct, and the bill does not apply to activities already covered by specific laws (e.g., skiing under P.L.1979, c.29). This applies to all operators, including government-run facilities, and complements existing liability defenses like the New Jersey Tort Claims Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey law enforcement agencies to make their guidelines, standard operating procedures, and practices for processing firearms permit applications publicly available under the state's open public records law. It clarifies that these documents, which were previously being withheld by agencies claiming confidentiality, are now explicitly considered public records. The bill addresses a recent court decision that ruled the New Jersey State Police Firearms Investigation Guidebook was exempt from public access. This change aims to increase transparency in how firearms permit applications are reviewed and approved. The bill would make these guidelines accessible to anyone making a public records request.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and county governing bodies to notify municipal governments in writing when applications for state or county grants or loans to acquire or develop land for recreation or conservation are submitted within a municipality's boundaries. Municipalities then have 30 days to evaluate the application and submit written feedback on whether the land is appropriate for recreation or conservation purposes. The state or county must consider this feedback when making a final decision on the application and must notify the municipality of the outcome. If a municipality fails to respond within 30 days, the state or county may proceed without further notification.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program to reimburse certain New Jersey employers for costs they incurred due to the bankruptcy of the Affiliated Physicians and Employers Master Trust (which provided health benefits for small businesses). Employers that were members of the trust during 2020-2021 and paid assessments to cover its liabilities may apply for grants covering the exact amount of those assessments. The State Treasurer will evaluate applications and issue grants within 24 months of the bill's effective date, using federal pandemic relief funds allocated for this purpose. The program directly affects approximately 2,500 physician practices and small businesses that were members of the trust before its 2021 bankruptcy.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3398) allows New Jersey municipalities to enter shared service agreements for tax assessment, enabling two or more towns to jointly hire a tax assessor or permit counties to assume tax assessment duties for all municipalities within the county. It amends existing laws to align with the "Uniform Shared Services and Consolidation Act" (P.L.2007, c.63), requiring agreements to follow specific procedures for cost savings reporting and employee reemployment if agreements end. The key mechanism permits cost-sharing for a position that typically requires a full-time, locally appointed employee, directly affecting smaller municipalities and counties seeking operational efficiency. This change provides a formalized process for shared services without creating new requirements for local governments.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) to share information about child abuse or neglect allegations with religious organizations. Currently, religious institutions are not among the entities authorized to receive this information under state law. The bill specifically would permit DCF to disclose information regarding child abuse or neglect allegations involving prospective or current employees who provide instruction or services to children at religious institutions. This change would enable religious organizations to conduct background checks on staff who work with children, aligning their access to this information with other child-serving organizations. The bill amends existing law to explicitly include religious organizations among the entities authorized to receive this information.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's unemployment insurance rules for adult school crossing guards. It removes eligibility for benefits during periods between academic years or during established vacation periods if the guard has a "reasonable assurance" of being rehired for the next term. Municipalities must notify crossing guards in writing by May 15 if they won't be reappointed. Currently, some crossing guards are eligible for benefits during these periods, but this bill eliminates that eligibility for those with rehire assurance. The changes apply to adult school crossing guards employed by New Jersey municipalities.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands an existing exemption from New Jersey's minimum wage and overtime rules for summer camp workers. It specifically adds two new groups: employees under age 22 who are enrolled in school (high school, college, or vocational training) working at private summer camps, and all employees at resident summer camps (overnight camps) for overtime pay. The exemption applies only during June, July, August, and September. It does not affect workers at nonprofit or religious camps, which already had this exemption. The bill defines "private summer camp" as for-profit operations licensed under the Youth Camp Safety Act.