Asm. Sean Kean

Maddy summaryThis bill prevents newly hired officers and employees of certain public associations (including the New Jersey Association of Counties, school board insurance groups, and municipal insurance funds) from enrolling in New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). It also terminates PERS enrollment for current employees with less than 10 years of service credit as of the bill's effective date. Employees with 10 or more years of service credit who continue working without a break may maintain their PERS membership. Additionally, the bill repeals provisions that allowed PERS and Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund members on leave to purchase pension credit while working for labor organizations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NJNSGP) to increase funding limits and adjust grant administration. It raises the maximum annual grant for security personnel from $10,000 to $25,000 per application (with a $75,000 yearly cap per organization) and for security equipment from $50,000 to $100,000. The bill eliminates restrictions preventing organizations from receiving both personnel and equipment grants in the same year, and increases the required annual funding request from $2 million to $14 million. It also establishes specific funding allocations: 55% for personnel grants, 36% for equipment, 4% for outreach, and 5% for administrative costs. The program directly supports nonprofit organizations at high risk of violence, enabling them to hire security staff or purchase protective equipment within New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Homestead School Property Tax Reimbursement Act," would provide New Jersey seniors aged 65 or older with a 50% reimbursement for the school portion of their property taxes on their primary residence. It phases in eligibility through income limits: $35,000 or less in the first year, $75,000 in the second year, and no income limit thereafter. Surviving spouses aged 55 or older who remain in the same home also qualify. Reimbursements would be funded from the Casino Revenue Fund and require annual applications by December 31.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $1 million from New Jersey's General Fund to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for capital improvements at Allaire State Park in Monmouth County. The DEP must develop a detailed capital improvement plan within 90 days of the bill's enactment and implement projects based on that plan. The department is required to submit the plan to the Governor and Legislature, post it online, and provide a progress report within one year. These changes directly affect Allaire State Park's operations, historic village management, and recreational facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits an arbitrator who later serves as a mediator in the same case from resuming the role of arbitrator without the explicit written agreement of both parties. It requires parties to consent in advance if an arbitrator-mediator wishes to return to arbitration after the mediation phase. The law codifies a court ruling that a mediator’s confidential knowledge of party discussions could compromise the neutrality required for binding arbitration. It directly affects arbitrators, mediators, and parties involved in New Jersey arbitration cases under the existing law.

Maddy summaryACR 55 proposes a constitutional amendment allowing New Jersey municipalities to offer property tax credits of up to 100% on the primary residence of volunteer firefighters or volunteer first aid squad members. To qualify, the volunteer must actively serve a fire company or first aid squad that serves the same municipality where they live. Municipalities would need to adopt an ordinance to implement the credit, which would directly reduce property tax bills for eligible volunteers. The amendment requires voter approval before taking effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that licensed private detectives operating in New Jersey can access personal information from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission for use in legal proceedings. It specifies that detectives must submit the information required by the commission to fulfill a request, and they can obtain this information regardless of whether litigation is imminent or foreseeable. The bill ensures private detectives can access this information for civil, criminal, administrative, or arbitral proceedings in federal, state, or local courts or agencies, including service of process, investigation in anticipation of litigation, and enforcement of judgments. This applies whether requests are made through the Customer Abstract Information Retrieval program, other public information programs, or electronic/hardcopy documents. The bill does not expand access to new categories of information but clarifies existing procedures for licensed private detectives.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey municipalities to receive state property tax relief aid equal to any annual increase in costs for employee health care and prescription benefits. It directly affects all New Jersey municipalities that face higher health care expenses due to rate increases, covering costs from self-insurance, commercial insurance, or state programs. Municipalities must submit certified documentation of the increase to the state, which will then adjust their annual aid under the Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Act by the exact same amount. The bill ensures these increased health care costs do not lead to higher property taxes for residents.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 20-year standard for adverse possession of private property in New Jersey, meaning someone who openly, continuously, and notoriously occupies property for 20 years without the legal owner objecting may gain full ownership. It directly affects property occupants making adverse possession claims and protects public entities (like municipalities, schools, or utilities) and non-profits using land for public purposes from such claims. The bill also creates a separate 40-year requirement for property that was once tidal-flowed but is no longer, adding conditions like tax payments and proper property recording. It repeals conflicting older laws to clarify the process and applies to all possession periods starting before, during, or after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the state tax deduction for New Jersey residents who contribute to the NJBEST college savings program. It raises the maximum annual deduction from $10,000 to $15,000 for taxpayers with gross income under $200,000. The bill also requires annual adjustments to both the deduction limit and income threshold based on the national consumer price index. These changes apply to contributions made in taxable years starting after the bill's enactment.