Asm. Ellen Park

Maddy summaryAJR 89 is a symbolic joint resolution passed by the New Jersey legislature that unconditionally condemns all forms of hate, hate-based violence, and bias crimes targeting individuals based on race, religion, ethnicity, disability, age, marital status, gender, or sexual orientation. It does not create new laws or allocate funds but urges the Governor and Attorney General to continue existing efforts like supporting victims, improving hate crime reporting, enhancing security at vulnerable sites, and researching solutions. The resolution emphasizes New Jersey’s commitment to protecting citizens from hatred and promoting an inclusive community, reflecting the state’s ongoing stance against bias-motivated incidents. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct legal effect on individuals or policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits of certain retired police and firefighters in New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). It applies specifically to members who have been retired and receiving benefits for at least 10 years, excluding those hired after the bill's effective date, those in deferred retirement, and those with 20-24 years of service. The COLAs are tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners, with benefits up to $75,000 receiving full adjustment, while higher benefits are capped at a 1% annual increase. The $75,000 threshold will adjust annually based on inflation, and the bill requires the Legislature to appropriate funds to cover both state and local costs for these adjustments.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5172) requires New Jersey state and county correctional facilities to provide female inmates with feminine hygiene products - including tampons and sanitary pads - of varying absorbency levels at no cost, upon request. It amends existing law (P.L.2019, c.288) to specify that facilities must offer products in multiple absorbency levels, not just standard options. The policy directly affects all female inmates in New Jersey's correctional system, ensuring access to appropriate menstrual products. The change updates current requirements to better accommodate individual health needs during menstruation.

Maddy summaryThis bill reschedules New Jersey's June 2025 primary election from June 3 to June 10, 2025, to accommodate a religious observance. It adjusts most election-related deadlines to align with the new June 10 date, but keeps specific deadlines - such as those for nominating petitions, ballot position drawing, and mailing vote-by-mail ballots - tied to the original June 3 date. The Secretary of State must notify county clerks, election boards, and the public within seven days of the bill's effective date and publish a revised election calendar. This change directly affects all voters, candidates, and election officials participating in New Jersey's 2025 primary election cycle.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds three new projects to New Jersey's FY2025 Community Hazard Assistance Mitigation Program (CHAMP), which provides low-interest loans for hazard mitigation and resilience projects. It increases the total funding authorization from $7,198,045 to $13,813,000, allowing the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to fund nine projects instead of six. The new projects include flood mitigation infrastructure in Brick Township, elevation improvements in Rochelle Park Township, and flood mitigation with green infrastructure in Highlands Borough. These projects will receive funding to help communities better withstand natural disasters through specific infrastructure improvements. The bill amends existing law to expand the list of approved projects eligible for CHAMP funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires telecom, cable, and internet providers in New Jersey to let customers cancel service contracts without early fees when moving to a long-term care facility for at least 90 days. It applies to individuals receiving a physician's referral or care plan for relocation to licensed facilities like nursing homes, assisted living, or dementia care homes. Customers must typically provide 45 days' notice (or 48 hours if a physician orders immediate relocation), and providers may request a physician's letter as proof. The bill does not relieve customers of equipment return fees or payments for equipment they already purchased.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A2941 requires large sports/entertainment venues, movie theaters (over 1,000 seats), and places of worship (over 300 seats) to submit annual emergency plans to local law enforcement. The bill updates current law by mandating these plans include detailed digital "emergency mapping data" (like aerial building images, floor plans, hazardous material locations) in an electronic format compatible with public safety software. It lowers the required seating capacity for places of worship from 500 to 300 people and clarifies these plans are not public records. The goal is to improve law enforcement's preparedness for incidents at these venues.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges the New Jersey Department of Health to increase public awareness about xylazine, a veterinary drug not approved for human use that is being used recreationally and linked to overdose deaths. It requests the Department to provide educational resources informing residents about xylazine's health risks - including its incompatibility with naloxone (used for opioid overdoses) and its frequent combination with fentanyl - which can cause severe complications like skin ulcers and dangerous respiratory depression. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new law but calls on the Department to address this public health concern through targeted outreach. The resolution specifically highlights xylazine's role in rising overdose deaths in New Jersey and surrounding states.

Maddy summary# Summary of New Jersey Aspire Program Act Amendments This bill amends and supplements the "New Jersey Aspire Program Act" (Aspire Program) and makes related changes to New Jersey's Gross Income Tax and Corporation Business Tax. ## Key Changes to the Aspire Program ### Program Definitions - Revised definition of "commercial project" to include warehouse/distribution centers - Amended "incentive area" definition to include endorsed plans (removing transportation requirements) - Defined "mixed-use project" as having residential and nonresidential components - Clarified that "project cost" applies to "total project cost" (replacing current "total development cost" definition) ### Residential Projects - Housing affordability controls now align with Fair Housing Act (excluding bedroom distribution requirements) - Residential tenants exempt from prevailing wage requirements for building services work ### Occupancy Requirement - Commercial projects must maintain at least 60% occupancy during eligibility period (residential projects exempt) - Tax credits forfeited if occupancy falls below 60%, restored upon return to 60%+ occupancy ### Eligibility Period - Reduced maximum duration from 15 years (commercial/mixed-use) to 10 years for all project types - Authority may establish shorter eligibility periods to enhance tax credit monetization ### Tax Credit Enhancements - Up to 10% increase for redevelopment of "stranded assets" (abandoned/vacant buildings) - Up to 5% increase for residential projects meeting three-bedroom distribution requirements - Up to 3% increase for meeting local first source hiring requirements - Total tax credits (with other programs) limited to: - 90% of project cost for LIHTC projects - 80% of project cost for all other projects ### Tax Credit Usage - Allows tax credits to be applied within three successive tax periods after receiving certificate - Permits transfer of tax credits to transferees who can use them within three successive tax periods ### Transformative Projects - Reduced commercial space requirement from 50,000 to 20,000 sq. ft. for residential projects with <700 units - Permits parking component to count toward square footage (subject to local requirements) - Requires entire parking component to count if project is in government restricted municipality ### Program Administration - Requires fees proportional to tax credit amount allowed - Establishes "Redevelopment Project Bridge Financing Program" for loans/guarantees to developers with financing gaps - Requires Department of Treasury to redeem unused tax credits (up to 10% discount) - Amends tax code to exclude gains from tax credit transfers from "entire net income" and "gross income" The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution expresses the New Jersey General Assembly's support for the "Breakfast Bowl," an annual football game between Montclair State University and Rowan University designed to raise awareness about food insecurity in New Jersey. The resolution recognizes the universities' existing food insecurity initiatives, including Montclair's Red Hawk Pantry and Rowan's SHOP food pantry, which provide fresh produce and food assistance to students and community members. The winner of the game will also determine whether New Jersey's signature breakfast meat is called "Pork Roll" or "Taylor Ham" until the next year's event.