Asm. Chris Tully

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's firearms regulations by requiring that firearms purchaser identification cards be valid for four years (expiring on the holder's birthday in the fourth year after issuance), rather than indefinitely as under current law. It also requires applicants to complete a firearms safety training course approved by the State Police within four years prior to application (with exemptions for law enforcement and veterans). Additionally, the bill revises inheritance procedures for firearms, requiring heirs or legatees to possess a valid firearms purchaser identification card or permit to purchase a handgun before taking possession of inherited firearms, with specific procedures for transferring firearms to law enforcement if the heir doesn't qualify for a permit.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases financial aid to New Jersey municipalities from the Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund over two years, restoring approximately $331 million in reduced aid payments that municipalities received during fiscal years 2009-2011. In fiscal year 2023, municipalities will receive 50% of the difference between their 2008 and 2012 aid distributions, with full restoration beginning in 2024. Municipalities must subtract any additional aid received from their property tax levy calculations and cannot anticipate this aid when creating annual budgets. The bill requires municipalities to amend their budgets to properly reflect the total aid amount, ensuring the aid directly reduces the amount they need to raise through property taxes.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey registrars to issue certified electronic copies of vital records - including birth, death, marriage, civil union, and domestic partnership certificates - alongside paper copies upon request. It requires the Commissioner of Health to establish security standards for electronic copies, including identity verification, data encryption, and privacy protections. The change applies to authorized requesters (such as individuals, family members, or government agencies) who already qualify for paper certified copies under current law. Electronic copies must be distinguishable from non-certified informational versions and maintain the same authentication requirements as paper records.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a five-year WATER Pilot Program within New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development to support new apprenticeship programs in water infrastructure, utilities, and related sectors. It appropriates $1 million to fund grants for eligible organizations (including businesses, colleges, nonprofits, and public utilities) that partner with industry to create accredited apprenticeships, with priority given to programs serving underserved communities. Grant recipients must demonstrate workforce needs, recruitment plans, and how funds will be used, while annual reports will track participant enrollment, completion, and job placement outcomes. The program requires coordination with New Jersey's existing workforce development initiatives and mandates annual evaluations of its effectiveness by the Department of Labor.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Education to create a sensitivity training program for high school athletic directors, coaches, and sports officials in public and nonpublic schools. The training covers topics including gender/sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, disabilities, religious tolerance, unconscious bias, and diversity. Coaches and athletic directors must complete the training every four years, with new hires required to complete it in their first year. Sports officials must certify completion when applying to officiating associations and renew every four years. The program must be developed with input from the Division on Civil Rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a temporary licensure pathway for nursing graduates who have completed their education but haven't yet passed the full licensure exam. It allows these graduates to practice under the supervision of a licensed registered nurse for up to one year, with a possible one-time extension for medical or hardship reasons. The bill also waives application fees for nursing license applicants working at or planning to work at long-term care facilities. Temporary license holders must apply for full licensure at least 90 days before expiration and pass the required exam, as the temporary license immediately expires if they fail the exam.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires licensed child care centers in New Jersey to provide parents or legal guardians with 45 days' notice before changing tuition rates. Centers must send the notice via certified mail (with return receipt), receipted first-class mail, or in-person delivery to each parent or guardian, and also post it on their website and display it prominently at the center. It applies to all child care centers operating under New Jersey law (P.L.1983, c.492). The goal is to give families sufficient time to plan for tuition adjustments without requiring new financial commitments.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public community water systems (serving at least 15 connections or 25 year-round residents) to provide specific lead-related information to customers. It mandates that water systems include details about lead sources, health effects, and reduction measures in annual Consumer Confidence Reports (as required by federal law), and send written notices to new customers within 90 days of service. Additionally, systems must notify all customers 48 hours before lead pipe work (or as soon as practicable in emergencies), including temporary water safety risks and mitigation steps. All notices must align with guidelines published by the Department of Environmental Protection within 120 days of the bill's effective date. The law directly affects residents, businesses, and institutions receiving water from covered systems across New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates tax credits for New Jersey residents and employers who pay student loans used for education expenses. Individual taxpayers can claim a credit against their state income tax for payments made on qualifying loans (federal, state, or commercial) used for tuition, fees, and related education costs, equal to the lesser of their actual payments or a standard benchmark amount. Employers can claim a similar credit for payments made on behalf of qualifying employees (with part-time employees reducing the credit by 50%). The credit is refundable for STEM graduates (associate or bachelor’s degrees) who earned the degree and worked in New Jersey during the tax year. It applies to loans obtained for enrollment at accredited institutions of higher education.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A2819 prohibits creating or sharing deceptive audio or visual media ("deepfakes") that falsely depict someone's speech or conduct using technical means, targeting individuals who generate or distribute such media for unlawful purposes. Creating deepfakes for offenses like harassment, theft by deception, or invasion of privacy would be a fourth-degree crime (up to 18 months jail or $10,000 fine), while sharing unmarked deepfakes knowing they violate the law would be a third-degree crime (up to 5 years jail or $30,000 fine). Victims could sue for $1,000 per violation plus damages, attorney fees, and other remedies, with the civil action separate from criminal penalties. News media are exempt unless they knowingly share unmarked deceptive content created in violation of the bill.