Asm. Garnet Hall

Maddy summaryThis bill increases relocation assistance payments for people displaced by public projects in New Jersey. It sets specific phased increases for moving expenses, dislocation allowances, and business payments over a four-year period, with amounts rising at 12-month intervals. After the initial four-year phase-in, all assistance amounts will automatically adjust annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to account for inflation. The bill directly affects homeowners, renters, and business owners displaced by government acquisition of property for public use.

Maddy summaryThis bill imposes a 2.5% gross receipts tax on retail sales of firearms and a 10% tax on retail sales of firearms ammunition within New Jersey. It directly affects retailers selling these items in the state, excluding sales delivered outside New Jersey, mailed to out-of-state purchasers, or sold to federal, state, or local government entities. The tax applies to gross receipts from qualifying sales and must be reported monthly to the Division of Taxation. Definitions clarify that "firearms" include weapons expelling lethal projectiles via combustion, and "firearms ammunition" covers cartridges, components, and propellants. The tax takes effect 30 days after enactment for sales beginning in the first full quarter after that date.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an independent Office of the Child Advocate within New Jersey's government to protect children at risk of abuse or neglect. The Child Advocate, appointed by the Governor, will monitor how state agencies and private entities provide child welfare services, investigate complaints, and ensure children in state custody receive appropriate care. The office will have the authority to review facilities like juvenile detention centers and group homes, require agencies to develop corrective action plans for systemic issues, and maintain a 24-hour hotline for public concerns. The Child Advocate will report annually to the Governor, Attorney General, and Legislature on findings and recommendations for improving child welfare services.

Maddy summaryACR 62 is a New Jersey Assembly resolution urging Congress to oppose proposed federal regulatory changes to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). The bill states that current CRA rules require banks to meet credit needs in low- and moderate-income (LMI) neighborhoods and have increased lending to these areas (e.g., 39% growth in LMI loans from 1993-1998). It specifically opposes Trump-era proposals that would allow banks to: (1) get CRA credit for stadium improvements in LMI areas, (2) count middle-income housing in wealthy areas toward CRA goals, and (3) offer financial education to all income levels instead of focusing on LMI communities. The resolution directly affects LMI neighborhoods, minority-owned businesses (which face higher loan denial rates), and women entrepreneurs (receiving only 4% of small business loans).

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all health insurance plans in New Jersey - including employer-sponsored group plans, individual policies, and health maintenance organizations - to cover prenatal genetic testing during the first trimester of pregnancy. It specifically mandates coverage for three test types: carrier screening (a cheek swab to identify inherited disorder genes), nuchal translucency screening, and chorionic villus sampling. The coverage must be provided at the same level as other medical conditions, applying to all plans delivered or renewed in New Jersey after the bill's effective date. This directly affects pregnant individuals with health insurance in the state by eliminating out-of-pocket costs for these specific early-pregnancy screenings.

Maddy summaryThis bill raises the minimum annual salary for full-time public school teachers in New Jersey from $18,500 to $60,000 (or $61,500 for teachers with a master's degree or higher), effective for the 2022-2023 school year. It directly affects all teaching staff in public school districts and educational services commissions across the state. The state will cover the difference between current salaries and the new minimum for a transition period: 100% of the gap in 2022-23, decreasing to 80% in 2023-24, 60% in 2024-25, 40% in 2025-26, 20% in 2026-27, and 0% starting in 2027-28. The funding applies to both current teachers (using their 2021-22 base salary) and newly hired teachers for the 2022-23 school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits retail firearm dealers from operating within 1,000 feet of specific locations, including schools (elementary, secondary, preschool), childcare centers, healthcare facilities, places of worship, alcohol-serving establishments, parks, and other firearm dealers. It directly affects firearm retailers seeking to open or maintain locations near these facilities. The restriction applies to all retail firearm dealers and their business premises, requiring them to comply with the new buffer zone requirements. The law amends New Jersey's existing firearm licensing statute to establish this spatial limitation.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's NJBEST program from a one-time $750 grant to an annual $1,500 grant for eligible contributors. It affects low-to-moderate-income account owners (with adjusted gross income under $75,000) who opened NJBEST accounts after June 2021. The grant provides a 3:1 match on annual deposits (up to $1,500 per account) until the designated beneficiary turns 14. The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority will fund these grants using administrative fees collected through the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1944) extends New Jersey's existing 5-business-day grace period for rental late fees to apply specifically to tenants receiving public assistance payments. It requires landlords to wait until after a tenant receives their monthly public assistance payment (e.g., Social Security, disability benefits, or Work First NJ) before counting the grace period toward late fees. For example, if rent is due on the 1st but assistance arrives on the 10th, late fees cannot apply until 5 business days after the 10th. The bill also mandates that leases must specify when tenants receive public assistance payments each month. It applies to all qualifying tenants, not just those with rent due on the 1st, and takes effect 90 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Recovery Tax Credit Program" to incentivize New Jersey employers to hire and retain individuals in recovery from substance use disorder. Employers must meet specific certification requirements, including providing employer-sponsored insurance meeting minimum essential coverage standards and partnering with local recovery providers, to qualify for the program. Certified employers can claim a tax credit of $1 per hour worked by eligible individuals, up to a maximum of $2,000 per individual (with a minimum of 500 hours worked), with a total annual program allocation of $2 million. The credit can be applied against Corporation Business Tax or Gross Income Tax, but cannot exceed 50% of the employer's tax liability for the year.