Asm. Garnet Hall

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a 2.5% fee on corporations with New Jersey taxable income exceeding $10 million for tax years 2024-2028, excluding S corporations and public utilities. It requires affected businesses to pay this fee in addition to their existing corporate business tax. All revenue collected (minus funds constitutionally reserved for open space/farmland) will fund New Jersey Transit’s operating expenses and help cover the state’s share for federal transit capital projects starting in 2026. The fee is calculated on the same income base used for corporate business tax, with no credits allowed except for prior overpayments or estimated payments.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes the requirement for teacher candidates in New Jersey to pass a basic skills test (such as the Praxis Core) to obtain certain teaching certificates. Specifically, it eliminates the need for candidates seeking a certificate of eligibility, certificate of eligibility with advanced standing, provisional certificate, or standard instructional certificate to complete a Commissioner-approved test of basic reading, writing, and math skills. The change directly affects individuals pursuing teaching certification in the state by streamlining the certification process. It repeals the existing law requiring these tests, making certification more accessible for educators meeting other standard qualifications. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates New Jersey's requirements for inspecting residential rental properties for lead-based paint hazards. It mandates that municipalities inspect rental units at tenant turnover or every three years (with lead-safe certifications now valid for three years), while repealing an outdated provision requiring the Department of Community Affairs to conduct these inspections. The bill also modifies inspection methods based on local child blood lead level data and requires municipalities to report lead hazard findings to the Department of Community Affairs. These changes aim to streamline lead hazard inspections while maintaining protections for tenants, particularly children, from lead paint exposure.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A4081) imposes civil penalties on employers who threaten or disclose an employee's immigration status to prevent them from reporting violations of state labor laws. It directly affects employers and immigrant workers, particularly in cases where employers withhold wages, benefits, or comply with tax laws and then pressure workers about their immigration status. The bill adds tiered penalties: $1,000 for a first violation, $5,000 for a second, and $10,000 for subsequent violations per affected employee. These penalties apply in addition to existing penalties under laws like the New Jersey State Wage and Hour Law, targeting employers who misuse immigration status to conceal other violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public water systems to maintain a minimum free chlorine residual of 0.3 milligrams per liter at all times and conduct regular testing to prevent Legionella bacteria growth. It mandates water system operators to provide written notice to customers about disruptions that could increase Legionella risk and report such disruptions to the Department of Environmental Protection within 24 hours. Certain buildings - including hospitals, facilities treating immunocompromised individuals, buildings with spas or cooling towers, and structures over 10 stories - must implement water management programs following ASHRAE standards to minimize Legionella transmission. Building owners who fail to comply face penalties up to $2,000 for first violations and $10,000 for violations causing serious injury or death. The Department of Health must investigate Legionnaires' disease cases, develop public awareness campaigns, and publish annual reports on cases and prevention efforts.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the maximum contingency fee cap for attorneys representing injured workers in New Jersey workers' compensation cases from 20% to 25% of the judgment amount. It directly affects injured workers' attorneys who typically work on a contingency basis (paid only if they win the case) and the injured workers themselves. The key change amends Section 34:15-64 of New Jersey's workers' compensation law to adjust this fee cap, which has remained at 20% since its establishment. The bill does not alter other fee structures, such as fixed fees for medical witnesses or the $400 witness fee limit. This adjustment aims to align attorney compensation with current practice demands in workers' compensation cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the state to appropriate $1 million annually to educational services commissions that primarily serve students from School Development Authority (SDA) districts. Currently, these commissions do not receive direct state funding for school facility projects (like building renovations or construction) or security improvements (such as security cameras, emergency notification systems, or access control systems). The funds would be sourced from the General Fund and allocated to the Department of Education to support these specific needs. The legislation aims to address an existing funding gap, ensuring these commissions have equitable resources comparable to SDA districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $10,067,905 from constitutionally dedicated corporation business tax revenues to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for grants to nonprofit organizations. The funds will support 11 land acquisition projects ($5.7 million), four park development projects ($3.58 million), and two stewardship activities ($309,000) across multiple counties. These grants will help nonprofits acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes, with $479,000 allocated for DEP administrative costs. The bill specifies that funds come from dedicated tax revenues established by the Preserve New Jersey Act and will support specific projects approved by the DEP.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates funds to New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to provide zero-interest loans or principal forgiveness for clean water and drinking water infrastructure projects. It authorizes funding for 156 specific clean water projects and 72 drinking water projects across the state, totaling approximately $2.6 billion in estimated loan amounts. The funding is intended to help municipalities and public water utilities finance infrastructure improvements that reduce pollution, improve water quality, and address environmental challenges. The bill includes specific provisions for varying levels of principal forgiveness based on project type and community need, with a focus on making these projects more affordable for local governments.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's four-year public universities to create and annually update a reproductive health services plan ensuring students can access contraception (including emergency contraception via vending machines or on-campus retail), STI testing/treatment, prenatal care, and abortion referrals. County colleges must establish a referral network connecting students to verified local providers for these services. The plan must include 24-hour access to over-the-counter contraception and evidence-based reproductive health education. Institutions are not required to directly provide abortion services.