Asm. Jay Webber

Maddy summaryThis bill requires that New Jersey ballot questions about state bond issues include specific financial details to help voters understand the costs. The ballot must state the total amount the state spent last year to pay interest and principal on existing bonds (and that amount per person), plus the estimated total cost for the new bonds (and per-person cost). This information must be included in clear, plain language at the end of the ballot's explanation of the bond proposal. The bill applies directly to all bond measures that create new state debt, ensuring voters receive standardized cost data before voting.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to allow certain non-enrolled students to participate in interscholastic athletics in their district of residence. It specifically applies to students receiving equivalent instruction elsewhere (e.g., homeschoolers), charter school students, and county vocational school students, provided they meet the same eligibility requirements as enrolled students - such as residency, physical exams, academic standards, and for homeschoolers, demonstrating equivalent academic instruction. Students must comply with the district's participation rules and standards of conduct, and any eligibility disputes will be resolved by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. The bill does not require schools to change schedules, provide transportation, or alter existing sports programs.

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 establishes a rebuttable presumption that defendants charged with sexual assault (N.J.S. 2C:14-2) or criminal sexual contact (N.J.S. 2C:14-3) involving minor victims must be detained before trial, unless they provide evidence to the contrary. It directly affects defendants facing these specific child sexual abuse charges in New Jersey courts. The key mechanism requires defendants to prove, by a preponderance of evidence, that conditions (like bail or supervision) would reasonably assure their court appearance and community safety - otherwise, detention is automatic. The presumption applies only to these minor-victim cases, adding them to existing offenses (like murder or life-imprisonment crimes) where pretrial detention is presumed. This change modifies pretrial release procedures under New Jersey's Bail Reform Law (P.L.2014, c.31).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey gas stations to display the exact dollar amount of state and federal taxes charged per gallon of motor fuel on price signs at the pump. Currently, stations can simply state "Includes State and Federal Taxes" instead of showing specific tax amounts, but this bill eliminates that option. The law mandates that signs must now list the precise tax amounts for both New Jersey and federal taxes separately, replacing the previous vague statements. This directly affects all retail fuel dealers who must update their price displays to show these specific tax figures.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the annual registration renewal requirement for passenger automobiles, motorcycles, and noncommercial trucks in New Jersey. Under current law, these vehicles require annual registration, but the bill changes this so that registration is only required upon transfer of ownership. The bill removes provisions about extended registration for new passenger automobiles and clarifies that additional fees related to vehicle registration would only be collected at initial registration, not annually. Special license plate fees would continue to be charged annually, even though annual vehicle registration is no longer required.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts certain expansions or reconstructions of municipal and county government buildings, courthouses, and emergency services facilities from the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act. Specifically, it allows these buildings to be expanded or reconstructed within 125% of their existing footprint, provided the expansion doesn't increase impervious surface area by more than one-quarter acre. The exemption directly affects local governments and emergency service organizations that own or operate these facilities within New Jersey's Highlands Region. This change modifies existing exemptions under the Highlands Act to specifically include these public buildings, maintaining the same 125% footprint and impervious surface limitations already applied to other types of building reconstruction.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A2680) requires all public bodies covered by the Open Public Meetings Act - including city councils, school boards, and other local government bodies - to display a U.S. flag in meeting rooms and recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the start of every meeting. The presiding officer or a designated person must lead attendees in reciting: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." The law takes immediate effect and applies to all meetings of these public bodies, without exceptions. It is a procedural requirement focused on ceremonial practice, not substantive policy change.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires males under age 26 applying for a New Jersey driver's license, learner's permit, or nondriver ID to consent to registering with the U.S. Selective Service System as part of the application process. It directs the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to forward applicants' personal information to Selective Service if they haven't registered, with the application submission serving as their consent. The MVC must print a clear notice on all relevant forms stating that submitting the application means consenting to Selective Service registration if required by federal law (or upon turning 18 for applicants under 18). The bill aims to ensure compliance with federal registration requirements, which carry penalties including fines, imprisonment, and loss of federal benefits like student aid.

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.