Asm. Clinton Calabrese

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates inheritance taxes on property transferred to brothers or sisters of a decedent for transfers occurring on or after January 1, 2022. Currently, such transfers are taxed at rates of 11% to 16% (with a $25,000 exemption), but the bill makes these transfers tax-free, aligning siblings' treatment with other immediate family members like spouses, children, or parents. It directly affects New Jersey residents who inherit property from a sibling, removing a tax obligation that previously applied. The change applies to all future transfers meeting these criteria and is effective immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryAJR 55 designates March 16 each year as "Paws Healing Heroes Day" in New Jersey to recognize service dogs that assist veterans with conditions like PTSD, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, and seizure disorders. The resolution directly affects veterans, service dog organizations (such as Paws Healing Heroes in Glassboro), and the public by raising awareness of these animals' role in veteran support. Its key mechanism is an annual designation requiring the Governor to issue a proclamation encouraging public observance. This is a ceremonial resolution, not a law with funding or regulatory changes, and it takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A936) establishes a four-year grant program to expand career and technical education (CTE) opportunities in New Jersey. It provides funding to county vocational school districts and other school districts with approved CTE programs to partner with urban districts, colleges, or other entities, creating new CTE programs in existing facilities they don’t own or lease. School districts must submit detailed applications outlining partnerships, student capacity, facility use, costs, and long-term sustainability plans. After four years, the Commissioner of Education must report to the legislature on outcomes and recommend whether to make the program permanent, including funding sources. The program directly affects school districts, students seeking career training, and local employers supporting curriculum development.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides New Jersey businesses with tax credits to support electric vehicle infrastructure and fleet transitions. It offers a 50% credit (capped at $1,000 per station) for purchasing and installing EV charging stations used in business operations or at a primary residence, plus a 50% credit on the cost difference between zero-emission commercial vehicles and comparable conventional vehicles - with caps of $25,000, $50,000, or $100,000 based on vehicle weight. Taxpayers must apply for certification from the Environmental Protection Commissioner, who has 90 days to approve applications. Credits are non-refundable but can be carried forward for up to seven years and apply for five years starting January 1 after the bill’s effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3045) requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to complete its Meadowlands Transitway project - a direct rapid transit link between Secaucus Junction and the Meadowlands Sports and Entertainment Complex - by May 1, 2026. By May 1, 2025, NJT must assess whether this deadline is achievable, and if not, develop and publish a public transportation plan by September 1, 2025 to address increased transit demand at the complex by the 2026 deadline. The bill explicitly excludes the existing BetMGM Meadowlands Rail Line (operating since 2009) from this requirement. It directly affects NJT and the Meadowlands Complex, which hosts major events needing reliable transit access.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Native Seed Commission within the Department of Agriculture to develop a plan increasing native seed production and use across state projects. The commission, composed of 9 members including agency heads and appointed stakeholders (like nursery reps, seed suppliers, and conservation experts), must submit its plan within one year. The plan will focus on boosting native seed availability for public land management, roadside landscaping, reforestation, and habitat restoration. The commission expires 30 days after submitting its final report.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes estate executors or administrators to legally access, manage, or delete online accounts (such as social media, email, or microblogging services) belonging to a deceased person. It directly affects families and estate administrators who previously faced obstacles in handling digital assets after a death. The law clarifies that executors may take necessary steps - including seeking court orders - to control these accounts, aligning with similar laws in Oklahoma and other states. The bill takes immediate effect and aims to resolve practical challenges in managing digital legacies.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey shore municipalities to adopt local ordinances providing free or reduced-cost beach access for the spouse and dependent children (over age 12) of qualifying veterans. It expands current law - which already offers similar access to active military personnel and National Guard members - to include veterans who served at least 90 days in active duty or were discharged due to a service-connected injury or disability. Municipalities would track usage of this benefit but are not required to implement it. The policy change directly affects veterans' families and applies only to beaches managed by shore municipalities under existing beach access regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to provide public boat access at state-owned lakes where boating is permitted, within two years of enactment. It appropriates $1 million from the General Fund to fund construction, contracts with private marinas (via public bidding), or other solutions for public boat launches. The policy directly affects residents seeking recreational access to state lakes, such as Greenwood Lake, where public access has been limited as private marinas now restrict or charge for day-use access. Key provisions mandate DEP action if access cannot be provided due to funding constraints, requiring a report to the Governor and Legislature detailing the issue and needed resources.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises emergency care referral standards for telemedicine and telehealth providers in New Jersey. It requires health care providers using telemedicine or telehealth to develop written emergency protocols that include making a good faith effort to facilitate contact with local emergency services and remain connected during real-time encounters until emergency services arrive. The protocols must include methods for providing patient location information, contact details, and relevant medical information to emergency responders when a patient experiences a health care emergency during a telemedicine encounter. Providers must also follow State mandatory reporting laws for suicide attempts and provide patients with 9-8-8 suicide prevention hotline information when appropriate. These requirements apply directly to all health care providers offering telemedicine or telehealth services in New Jersey.