Asm. Jay Webber

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2695) amends New Jersey law to limit political party representation on the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council. It specifies that no more than four of the seven public members appointed by the Governor (from the general public) may belong to the same political party. This change directly affects the appointment process for these seven council members, ensuring broader political diversity. The provision applies specifically to the public members appointed under Section 5 of P.L.2004, c.120, without altering other council composition rules or responsibilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies to identify at least two existing rules for repeal before adopting any new rule. The key mechanism mandates that agencies list two existing rules to be repealed for every new rule proposed, which must be included in the notice of proposed rulemaking. This requirement is intended to create a more deliberate rulemaking process that helps control regulatory costs. The bill is modeled after a similar federal executive order from the Trump administration.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes clear procedures for accessing a deceased person's safe-deposit box to locate their original will or burial documents. Family members (spouse, children, parents, siblings) or individuals named in a copy of a will can request access by providing a death certificate and an affidavit stating they seek the will or burial documents. Banks must open the box in the requester's presence, then send the original will to the county Surrogate Court by certified mail while providing a photocopy to the requester. The bill amends existing banking laws to reference these procedures and applies to decedents dying 180 days after the law takes effect.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A2700 requires colleges and universities to review the employment history of job applicants who will have regular contact with students for any past allegations of child abuse or sexual misconduct. Applicants must provide a list of employers from the last 20 years (including institutions of higher education and schools) and disclose if they were investigated, disciplined, or had licenses revoked due to such allegations. Institutions must then contact these employers to verify the information, and false disclosures can lead to employment denial or civil penalties. The bill also prohibits agreements that suppress such information or prevent reporting to authorities, aligning with protections previously extended to K-12 students.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts how school boards can communicate budget information to residents before annual school elections. It requires that any unsolicited budget communication sent within 90 days of the election must: (1) go to all registered voters, (2) include only basic figures like total budget amount and tax levy (not detailed spending), (3) be limited to one page if printed, and (4) exclude board member names or photos. The bill directly affects school boards (who send communications) and residents (who receive them). It aims to standardize and limit the information provided during election periods, preventing lengthy or personalized budget materials.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey law enforcement agencies to obtain a court order before using imaging surveillance devices (like radar or infrared technology that can see through walls) to gather information about people or activities inside private buildings. It directly affects all state and local police departments, sheriffs' offices, and other law enforcement agencies. The law mandates that applications for court orders must include specific details: the target's identity, the purpose and type of information sought, the location and duration of the surveillance, and evidence that other investigative methods failed or would be too dangerous. The bill aims to establish judicial oversight for this type of surveillance technology.

Maddy summaryAJR 78 designates November 7 of each year as "Remembering Victims of Communism Day" in New Jersey. The bill requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials, organizations, and citizens to observe the day with appropriate events. It does not create new laws or programs but formally recognizes historical communist regimes' impacts, citing events like the Soviet Revolution, Great Leap Forward, and Khmer Rouge atrocities. The resolution focuses on commemoration rather than policy action.

Maddy summaryThis bill delays New Jersey's fourth round of municipal affordable housing obligations - including setting regional needs and related litigation - until July 1, 2028, instead of the original 2025 start date. It directly affects municipalities required to meet fair-share affordable housing quotas under the Mount Laurel doctrine. The delay allows time to analyze data from the third round (ending July 2025) before establishing new obligations. The bill explicitly states it does not impact existing court judgments or settlements related to housing obligations finalized before July 1, 2025, and expires on June 30, 2028.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2202) upgrades simple assault to aggravated assault when committed against a crossing guard or parking enforcement officer who is clearly identifiable as performing their duties (e.g., in uniform or at a school crossing). It directly affects these public safety workers by increasing penalties for assaults against them during official duties. Under the bill, such assaults would become a third-degree crime (carrying up to 5 years in prison) if bodily injury occurs, rather than a lesser fourth-degree offense. This aligns with existing protections for other frontline workers like police, firefighters, and school staff under New Jersey law.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey law to make membership in the New Jersey Council of County Colleges optional for the state's 18 county colleges and their governing commissions. Currently, all county colleges must join the council, but this bill revises the law to allow them to choose whether to participate. For colleges that opt in, the council would still assess dues annually with a two-thirds vote, based on college size. The change removes a mandatory requirement while preserving the council's role in coordinating community college advocacy and policy.