Asm. Julio Marenco

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a $100,000 cap on sales and use tax exemptions for businesses in New Jersey's Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) program. It removes the limit on tax exemptions for materials, supplies, and services used for major renovations, new construction, or substantial improvements to business properties. The change applies retroactively to January 1, 2022, meaning businesses participating in the UEZ program can now claim full tax exemptions for eligible capital improvements without the previous dollar cap.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey governmental entities from releasing the home addresses of specific public safety employees, including corrections officers, parole officers, probation officers, law enforcement officers, and retired law enforcement officers. It amends the Open Public Records Act to exclude these home addresses from the definition of "government record," meaning they would no longer be publicly accessible under current law. Government agencies must now redact these addresses from any records before granting public access, with exceptions for government agencies using the information for official purposes or for private individuals enforcing court-ordered child support payments. The bill directly affects the privacy protections of these public safety employees by preventing their home addresses from being disclosed through public records requests.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows public high school students in New Jersey who observe Ramadan to opt out of required physical education classes and school sports programs during the holy month. Students must submit written notice to their principal before schedules are finalized, and can substitute physical education with an instructional course or study hall that provides equivalent graduation credits. Student-athletes may also be excused from sports, cheerleading, or intramural programs with written notice to their coach, and coaches cannot penalize them for this absence. The policy specifically accommodates Muslim students fasting during Ramadan, without exempting them from other required health education courses.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency to create a statewide database tracking real-time shelter bed availability for homeless individuals, using the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). It directly affects homeless shelters (excluding domestic violence shelters) that receive state funding from the Departments of Community Affairs or Human Services, requiring them to update bed availability within one hour of changes. Shelters must cooperate with the database to maintain eligibility for state funding, enabling operators to quickly direct people to available beds in nearby facilities. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2945) makes it a third-degree crime to knowingly possess a firearm at a public demonstration with the purpose of causing civil disorder. It applies even if the person has a valid permit to carry a firearm. The bill defines "civil disorder" as violent gatherings creating imminent danger to public safety or causing injury, and "public demonstration" as a public gathering for expressing support or opposition to a cause. A conviction carries a penalty of 3-5 years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both.

Maddy summaryACR 36 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase New Jersey's veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $500 annually, phased in over five years (reaching $500 by 2027). It directly affects honorably discharged veterans and surviving spouses who meet residency requirements. The amendment would adjust the deduction amount incrementally: $300 in 2023, $350 in 2024, $400 in 2025, $450 in 2026, and $500 starting in 2027. This change would replace the current $250 deduction, which has not been raised since 1999. The proposal requires voter approval via referendum after legislative passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2871) increases the annual property tax deduction for senior citizens (65+), persons with disabilities, and veterans in New Jersey from $250 to $500. It directly affects eligible homeowners in these categories by reducing their taxable property tax burden by an additional $250 per year. The change would take effect starting in 2024, but the bill requires voter approval of a constitutional amendment before implementation. The deduction amount remains capped at the actual tax bill amount if it falls below $500.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a presumption of pretrial detention for individuals charged with reckless vehicular homicide (when driving under the influence) or strict liability vehicular homicide (driving while intoxicated). It directly affects defendants convicted of these specific vehicular homicide offenses, requiring courts to detain them pretrial unless they can prove by a preponderance of evidence that release conditions would reasonably assure their appearance in court and community safety. The bill amends New Jersey law to extend the existing pretrial detention presumption, which currently applies to murder and life imprisonment offenses, to these vehicular homicide cases. It also includes provisions for vehicle forfeiture (unless hardship is proven) and allows courts to suspend or revoke drivers' licenses in these cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes September 11 as a paid state holiday for New Jersey government employees, designated as "9/11 Remembrance Day." It adds this date to the official list of paid holidays under state law, alongside existing holidays like Independence Day and Memorial Day. Public offices and state government operations would close on this day, aligning with the holiday's recognition in banking and public business rules. The bill directly affects state employees and public services operating under state jurisdiction.

Maddy summaryThis bill permits firefighters in New Jersey to complete certain theory-based courses required for Firefighter 1 certification online, rather than in person. It directly affects individuals pursuing this certification and the Division of Fire Safety, which sets training standards. The bill allows online delivery for all certification courses **except** hands-on practical skills like hose handling, ladder operations, search/rescue drills, and equipment use (e.g., SCBA, fire attack). This change aims to increase flexibility while maintaining in-person training for critical physical skills.