Asm. Clinton Calabrese

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits modifying a vehicle's muffler or exhaust system to amplify noise beyond the original factory level, directly affecting car owners and operators who install aftermarket exhaust systems. It requires vehicle inspections to check mufflers and exhaust systems for excessive or unusual noise, expanding current inspection standards that previously focused only on emissions. Violations carry a penalty of up to $500 in fines, 30 days in jail, or both. The bill amends existing laws (R.S. 39:3-69(c) and R.S. 39:3-70(b)) to clarify the prohibition and align inspection requirements with noise regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4490) requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) to install and maintain highway exit signs that help drivers locate electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. It directly affects EV drivers by making it easier to find charging locations on highways designated as part of the Interstate System or limited-access routes. The bill mandates that all signs follow federal and state design guidelines outlined in the *Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices*. The DOT must ensure signs are properly sized, placed, and comply with all applicable traffic control standards. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program administered by New Jersey's Economic Development Authority to help emerging science and technology businesses cover advertising and marketing costs. It defines eligible businesses as those with fewer than 225 employees (75% based in New Jersey) operating in specific sectors like biotechnology, renewable energy, or information technology. Grants can only be used for advertising/marketing expenses, require annual financial reporting to verify proper use, and convert to loans if funds are misused. The program directly supports small tech businesses aiming to grow within New Jersey's economy.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a property right for individuals to control the commercial use of their name, image, likeness, or voice, allowing them to sue when these elements are used without permission. It creates civil remedies for unauthorized commercial use, including through AI technology, and a disorderly person offense for violations punishable by up to 6 months in jail or a $1,000 fine. The right applies to living individuals and can be inherited by heirs for 10 years after death, with options to extend if commercially exploited or terminate after two years of non-use. The bill includes fair use exceptions for news reporting, criticism, and other protected activities under federal law.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Deep Fake Technology Unit within New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety to address the growing threat of AI-generated deepfakes. The unit will provide technical training, evidence analysis, and expert support to state and local law enforcement, prosecutors, and courts for detecting and investigating deceptive audio or visual media. It requires annual reports on deepfake technology trends, legal developments, and collaboration efforts, and appropriates $2 million from the state general fund to cover operational costs. The unit directly affects law enforcement agencies, courts, and state prosecutors by enhancing their capacity to handle deepfake-related cases.

Maddy summaryS 2082 creates a 12-member New Jersey Educator Evaluation Review Task Force to examine the state's current teacher and administrator evaluation system established under the 2012 TEACHNJ Act. The task force will specifically study the use of student growth objectives in evaluations, assess administrative burdens on educators, review current research on effective evaluation practices, and recommend potential updates to the law. It will hold public hearings and submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature by September 30, 2024. This bill does not change evaluation rules directly but sets up a process to review them; the current system affects all public school teachers, principals, and administrators in New Jersey. The task force includes representatives from teachers' unions, school administrators, and education associations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the State Capitol Joint Management Commission to create gallery space on State House grounds for displaying art created by New Jersey residents. Each of New Jersey's 21 counties will have their artwork displayed for a minimum of 60 days, with no overlapping displays between counties. The Commission sets standards for size and quantity, while the Director of Public Information selects specific artworks based on those standards. The display rotation must be fair and equitable across all counties.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a $44.7 million Stabilized School Budget Aid Grant Program to help eligible New Jersey school districts affected by state aid cuts in the 2024-2025 school year. It provides grants covering two-thirds of each district's state aid reduction (capped at 9.9% of their prior year's tax levy) and allows eligible districts to temporarily exceed normal tax increase limits to offset these cuts. Districts receiving aid must maintain staff levels from the previous year unless enrollment declines, requiring commissioner approval for reductions. The program specifically excludes SDA districts (special needs districts) from the tax levy exception but does not affect their existing tax authority.

Maddy summaryThis bill would adopt New Jersey into the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact, an interstate agreement that allows dentists and dental hygienists licensed in one participating state to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses in each state. To practice in another participating state, licensees would need to meet requirements like passing national board exams and having graduated from accredited programs, and would apply for a "compact privilege" to practice there. The compact would establish a commission to oversee the agreement and a data system to share licensure and disciplinary information among participating states, with adverse actions in one state affecting a professional's ability to practice in all participating states.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's alcohol licensing rules to allow instructional wine making facilities (which operate under restricted brewery licenses) to sell wine for on-premises consumption at certain events and donate wine to non-profits or charitable organizations. Currently, these facilities can only offer samples at events, but this change would permit actual sales during approved events and formal wine donations. The key provision expands their existing limited sales rights under Section 1c of the licensing law, specifically adding "sell for on-premises consumption" and "donate wine" to their permitted activities. It directly affects instructional wine making facilities operating under restricted brewery licenses, which are typically linked to restaurants. The bill is currently in committee and has not yet been voted on.