Asm. Julio Marenco

Maddy summaryThis bill expands the scope of practice for optometrists in New Jersey by allowing them to prescribe more pharmaceutical agents (including some controlled substances), administer certain immunizations (for coronaviruses, influenza, and varicella-zoster virus), and perform simple ophthalmologic procedures like non-invasive laser treatments. It clarifies that optometrists must complete specific training and credentialing to provide these expanded services, including evidence of competence through accredited education programs. The bill directly affects licensed optometrists in New Jersey and their patients, who will have access to a broader range of eye care services from optometrists. The legislation updates the legal definition of optometry practice to better align with optometrists' doctoral education and clinical training.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to take two annual enrollment counts instead of one when determining state school aid. Currently, districts report enrollment as of the last school day before October 16; this bill would add a second count on the last school day before February 2. The state aid calculation would then use the average of these two enrollment counts. The bill specifies which students count toward enrollment (residents in public schools, home instruction, shared vocational programs) and which do not (preschool, post-graduate, and post-secondary vocational students).

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey legislative resolution (AJR 146) urges the U.S. Congress to pass legislation granting statehood to Washington, D.C. It directly affects D.C. residents, who pay federal taxes but lack voting representation in Congress despite having a population comparable to small states like Vermont and Wyoming. The resolution cites D.C. residents' 86% referendum support for statehood in 2016 and notes they share full U.S. citizenship responsibilities without full voting rights. It calls on Congress to enact the Washington, D.C. Admission Act, which would grant D.C. two Senators and one House member, mirroring the rights of states.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases New Jersey's Medicaid reimbursement rate for basic life support emergency ambulance transports from $58 to a minimum of $200 per transport. It directly affects ambulance providers who deliver emergency medical transportation to Medicaid patients across all Medicaid service models (fee-for-service and managed care). The key provision sets a mandatory minimum payment rate, requiring the Commissioner of Human Services to implement the change through rules and secure federal funding approval. This policy change aims to address New Jersey's current rate being the lowest in the region, which is significantly below neighboring states' rates.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $1 million pilot program through New Jersey's Office of Planning Advocacy to reimburse municipalities for specific costs related to warehouse development planning. It directly affects local governments that update zoning ordinances or conduct mitigation studies for warehouse projects, requiring them to adopt warehouse-specific zoning consistent with state guidelines. Municipalities can apply for reimbursement for expenses like reexamining master plans or studying impacts of pending warehouse sites, with priority given to those needing financial assistance most. The program expires after the Office submits a report on its effectiveness, detailing how the funds were used and whether it should become permanent.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 15-member task force to study the feasibility of transitioning New Jersey's Executive Branch to a paperless government system. The task force will examine cybersecurity needs, technology options, cost-benefit analyses, legal changes required, and specific processes like electronic permits and records retention. It must issue an interim report within six months and a final report within one year, after which the task force will expire six months later. The study aims to inform potential future legislation but does not mandate any immediate changes to government operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all New Jersey public schools to integrate age-appropriate lessons about the September 11, 2001 attacks into Social Studies curricula for elementary, middle, and high school students. It mandates coverage of six specific topics: historical context, the timeline of events, first responder heroism, humanitarian aid following the attacks, global counterterrorism responses, and strategies for promoting tolerance and diversity. Additionally, every public school must hold an annual commemorative event focused on conflict resolution, diversity, and cultural tolerance. The New Jersey Commissioner of Education will provide schools with sample lesson resources to support implementation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A124) allows eligible New Jersey educators to deduct up to $1,200 from their gross income tax for unreimbursed classroom supply expenses. It directly affects K-12 teachers in public or nonpublic schools within the state who spend their own money on required materials. The deduction covers specific items like books, pencils, computers, lab equipment, and other daily classroom supplies. The provision applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state payment program to compensate New Jersey municipalities for lost property tax revenue caused by tax-exempt cemetery property. Municipalities will determine the taxable value of cemetery land as if it were subject to property tax, and the state will calculate annual payments by multiplying the local tax rate by that value, with each payment capped at 20% of a municipality's local tax levy. The state will appropriate $66 million from the Property Tax Relief Fund to cover these payments, distributed in four equal installments (August-November) each year to eligible municipalities.

Maddy summaryThis bill waives the transfer fee for commercial driver licenses when veterans or their spouses move to New Jersey from another state. It specifically eliminates the fee required to transfer an out-of-state commercial license to a New Jersey license. The waiver applies only to the transfer fee, not to other license-related costs like examinations or endorsements. The bill defines "veteran" as someone with an honorable discharge from U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard.