Asm. Gary Schaer

Maddy summaryThis bill limits political contributions from legislative aides to $30 per election when the aide works directly for a legislator in their district office. It prohibits aides from giving larger contributions and bans legislators or their campaign committees from soliciting or accepting such contributions. Violations are classified as fourth-degree crimes, punishable by up to 18 months in jail and a $10,000 fine. The law applies specifically to aides employed in district offices (e.g., as assistants or advisors) and takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a bill), passed by the New Jersey General Assembly, condemning anti-Semitic violence against Israeli Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in Amsterdam on November 7, 2024. It specifically references attacks occurring after a UEFA Europa League match, where fans were ambushed, assaulted, and required eight rescue flights for safe return, mirroring the historical Kristallnacht events. The resolution expresses solidarity with victims and calls on Dutch authorities to apprehend perpetrators. It has no binding effect but serves as a formal statement of condemnation and support. (Note: Resolutions like this typically don't create new laws or affect specific groups directly, but affirm policy positions.)

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to conduct a five-year assessment of unregulated perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. It specifically mandates the DEP to evaluate whether current drinking water standards adequately protect children (considering their smaller body size and higher water intake relative to weight) and determine if new standards are needed for unregulated PFAS. The DEP must submit written reports of these assessments to the Governor and Legislature, and publish them online. The bill is pending before the Assembly Environment Committee and has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases funding and flexibility for New Jersey's Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which provides financial support to nonprofits at high risk of attacks (including terrorism, extremism, or violence). 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 per application. Organizations may now apply for multiple grants for separate locations and receive both personnel and equipment funding in the same year - previously prohibited. The bill also mandates a minimum annual budget request of $14 million (up from $2 million) and specifies funding allocation: 55% for personnel, 36% for equipment, and 4% for outreach.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the Supplemental Graduate Medical Education (GME) Subsidy by $496,000 in the FY2026 state budget to fund a 15th acute care hospital with a residency program. It directly affects hospitals ranked by Medicaid revenue ratio (RMP), expanding eligibility from 14 to 15 hospitals - the 15th hospital receives $496,000 while the existing 14 hospitals maintain their current subsidy amounts. The subsidy is calculated based on a hospital’s Medicaid revenue percentage using 2023 cost reports, with funds allocated to the top 15 hospitals meeting the RMP criteria. This change aligns the appropriations act with prior law (P.L.2018, c.116), which intended to cover one-third of eligible hospitals (now 15 of 45), reversing a prior 14-hospital cap.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 596) requires public utilities to reimburse municipalities for police costs incurred during utility projects within 60 days of the municipality submitting a bill. It directly affects municipalities (which provide police services for safety during projects) and public utilities (which must pay the costs). Key provisions include pausing the 60-day timeline during negotiations, prohibiting reimbursement costs from being passed to ratepayers, and allowing attorney fees in related lawsuits. The bill ensures municipalities aren’t financially burdened for safety services during infrastructure work.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurers in New Jersey to maintain coverage for prescription drugs for individuals with complex/chronic medical conditions or rare diseases during any appeal stage if coverage was previously denied based on medical necessity. It prevents insurers from imposing new cost increases, coverage limits, or moving drugs to higher-cost tiers while an appeal is pending. Insurers may only deny coverage during an appeal if the prescribing doctor stops recommending the drug, the FDA issues a safety warning, or the drug manufacturer discontinues production. The law applies to all group and individual health insurance plans sold in New Jersey that cover prescription drugs.

Maddy summaryAJR 23 adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism for New Jersey. The bill defines antisemitism as "a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews" and includes examples like targeting Jewish individuals, property, or community institutions. It is intended solely as an educational tool for state employees, law enforcement, and educators to recognize and address antisemitism, not as a legal standard. The resolution explicitly states it does not infringe on free speech, including criticism of Israel. New Jersey joins 38 countries and several U.S. states that have endorsed this definition.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-582) upgrades penalties for recruiting individuals into criminal street gangs in New Jersey. It makes gang recruitment a crime with escalating penalties: a fourth-degree offense for general recruitment, third-degree for threatening victims twice in 30 days, and second-degree for causing significant injury or recruiting minors (with a mandatory minimum 5-year prison sentence for general offenses and 7 years for recruiting those under 18). The law also establishes accomplice liability for recruiters and requires consecutive sentencing for those violating these provisions while in official detention. It directly affects individuals who recruit others into gangs, particularly targeting minors and actions occurring on school property.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a law allowing New Jersey municipalities to charge up to $200 for applying to a public defender. It would eliminate the fee entirely, directly affecting individuals seeking public defense services who might otherwise face this financial barrier. Currently, courts could waive such fees, but this bill removes that authority by deleting the fee provision. The legislation aims to remove financial obstacles to accessing public defenders, aligning with the Sixth Amendment right to counsel.