Rep. Jay Webber

Maddy summaryThe "Transparency in Government Act" (A-3147) would require New Jersey's State Treasurer to create and maintain a public website showing detailed state financial data. The website must display annual spending (like salaries, vendor payments, and bond debt), revenues (taxes, grants, and fees), and bond information starting from fiscal year 2000, all in a searchable format. State agencies must provide this data from existing financial systems within 45 days after each fiscal year ends, and the site must be updated annually without removing historical data. This bill directly affects all state agencies, which must supply the data, and benefits the public by making government finances accessible online.

Maddy summaryThis bill criminalizes squatting in vacant homes by creating three new offenses: "housebreaking" (forcibly entering without permission to live there), "unlawful occupancy" (living in a vacant home without permission), and "unlawful reentry" (returning after being evicted via court order). It presumes people know they lack permission unless they have a notarized rental agreement with the owner's contact details. The law directly affects individuals occupying vacant properties without legal authorization, making these acts fourth-degree crimes punishable by up to 18 months in jail or a $10,000 fine. The bill aims to replace current eviction processes with criminal penalties for unauthorized occupancy.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Bill A 3135, titled the "Parents' Bill of Rights," establishes specific rights for parents of minors (under 18) regarding their children's education, health care, and school records. It requires schools and health care providers to notify parents about their children's health and well-being, grants parents the right to direct education and health care decisions (including reviewing school and medical records), and prohibits institutions from interfering with these rights without a compelling state interest. The bill also mandates school districts to create policies promoting parental involvement, such as procedures for parents to learn about curricula and object to instructional materials based on moral, religious, or sexual content. It explicitly states parents cannot override child welfare protections or court orders, and does not apply to decisions that would harm a child.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits candidates from being nominated for more than one elective office in the same primary or general election in New Jersey. It directly affects candidates who might attempt to run for multiple positions, such as two different legislative seats or a state and local office simultaneously. The key mechanism requires candidates to withdraw from any nomination if they accept a nomination for another office, and amends election code to state: "No person shall be nominated as a candidate for more than one office in any primary or general election" and "No person shall be certified as a candidate for more than one office in the same election." The law aims to prevent candidates from splitting votes or confusing voters with multiple nominations during a single election cycle.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 360) prohibits New Jersey school districts and public colleges from banning active-duty military members or veterans from speaking to students at school events, classes, assemblies, graduation ceremonies, or student groups. It requires schools to forward any correspondence from military/veterans seeking to speak to county superintendents and mandates that schools cannot adopt policies blocking such addresses. Violations risk state aid reductions for school districts (via the Commissioner of Education) or public colleges (via the State Treasurer). The law applies immediately to all public educational settings in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 734) requires political committees and independent expenditure groups to file more detailed campaign finance reports, including contributor occupations and employer addresses for donations over $200. It extends the statute of limitations for campaign finance violations from 2 to 5 years and exempts reports filed with New Jersey's Election Law Enforcement Commission from certain document redaction rules. The bill directly affects political committees, campaign treasurers, and independent expenditure groups by mandating enhanced reporting deadlines (including 24-hour filings during the final week before elections) and quarterly filings for "continuing political committees." These changes aim to increase transparency in campaign financing while strengthening enforcement of campaign finance laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3159) prohibits New Jersey state agencies from granting new economic development subsidies to businesses that previously received a loan-based subsidy but have not paid the principal and interest on that loan for more than 24 months. It directly affects businesses that received prior state loan or loan guarantee subsidies but are significantly behind on repayments. The key change amends existing law by replacing the requirement of "default" with a specific 24-month overdue threshold for loan payments. This policy adjustment applies to subsidies valued at over $25,000 intended to stimulate economic development. The bill does not alter current eligibility rules for businesses not in this overdue repayment category.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 3145) increases state aid to New Jersey municipalities from the Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over five years to reverse previous aid cuts. It directly affects all municipalities by requiring them to reduce their annual property tax levies by the amount of the additional state aid received. Key provisions update how the fund's distributions are calculated and require that new aid amounts be subtracted from each municipality's local tax levy. The bill modifies existing laws (P.L.1997, c.167 and P.L.2007, c.62) to implement this adjustment. It does not change the total annual fund amount but ensures municipalities cannot increase their tax burden while receiving more state aid.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a New Jersey state tax deduction for businesses that donate food from their inventory to qualified charities. It allows taxpayers to deduct the same amount for state income tax as they could claim under federal tax rules (as of December 2013) for donations of "apparently wholesome" food - meaning food meeting safety standards but unsellable due to appearance, age, or surplus. The deduction applies regardless of whether the business claims a federal charitable deduction. It directly affects New Jersey businesses that donate excess food inventory to IRS-qualified charitable organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts New Jersey disabled veterans from admission fees at state parks and forests and removes fees for motor vehicle access to park beaches for fishing. It specifically covers veterans honorably discharged with a service-connected disability (any degree) verified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Current law already provided free entry to seniors (62+), totally disabled residents, and National Guard members with training completion, but did not include disabled veterans for beach access fees. The bill extends both free entry and free beach access to all qualifying disabled veterans, regardless of disability severity.