Rep. Bob Auth

Maddy summaryThis bill would have required New Jersey public school districts to teach cursive handwriting to students in kindergarten through fifth grade, with a specific goal for students to read and write cursive legibly by the end of third grade. It mandated that school curricula include activities and materials to develop these skills, citing potential cognitive and literacy benefits. The bill was introduced in January 2026 but was withdrawn the same day after being approved as part of a prior law (P.L.2025, c.284), meaning it never became law. It directly affected all public elementary schools and their curriculum planning. The bill's provisions would have taken effect for the first full school year following enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires certifying officers to verify that certain public employees (such as attorneys, engineers, accountants, physicians, and architects) are properly classified as state employees - not independent contractors - before enrolling them in New Jersey’s Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). Officers must complete a form based on IRS employee classification guidelines and submit supporting documents like position resolutions and oaths of office. The state will conduct audits to ensure compliance, and supervisors who fail to verify eligibility may face fines up to $5,000 per violation. The law applies to both new enrollments and existing members of the retirement system.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 733) increases daily compensation for election workers from $300 to $400 per election (primary, general, or special) and raises additional pay for workers handling signature copy registers. Election workers managing these registers will now receive $20 per election (or $10 each if shared), up from $12.50 or $6.25. The state will also increase its reimbursement to counties from $225 to $325 per worker, while counties cover the remaining $75. The bill directly affects election workers serving on district boards during all statewide and local elections in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises the method for calculating the "common level range" used in New Jersey real property tax appeals. It requires the Director of the Division of Taxation to certify whether adjusting this range from 15% to 5% of the average assessed-to-value ratio is technically feasible, with implementation beginning at the next scheduled determination if approved. Property owners appealing tax assessments and county boards of taxation will be directly affected, as a narrower 5% range makes it more likely appeals succeed in reducing taxable property values. The change aims to streamline the appeal process by tightening the standard for determining fair assessment levels. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $10 million from the General Fund to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) for installing highway guard rail along Route 208 in specific areas of Franklin Lakes, Wyckoff, Hawthorne, Glen Rock, Fair Lawn, and Oakland. It directly affects motorists and residents whose properties border Route 208 in sections lacking guard rail, aiming to improve safety. The key provision is the targeted funding for guard rail installation where needed, with the DOT exempt from standard design manual guidelines for this project. The bill creates a concrete policy change by allocating dedicated funds for this specific infrastructure safety upgrade.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey drivers convicted of a first-time DWI offense with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% to 0.10% to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle before regaining driving privileges, *if their sentence is stayed pending appeal*. It directly affects individuals who avoid immediate license suspension by appealing their DWI conviction but must still comply with the interlock requirement during the appeal process. The key mechanism mandates court-ordered installation of the device as a condition for restoring driving rights, replacing the previous automatic license forfeiture period. This change applies specifically to first offenses with BAC in the 0.08-0.10% range and does not alter penalties for higher BAC levels or repeat offenses.

Maddy summaryNJ A549 requires all New Jersey municipal governing bodies (like city councils or township boards) to provide electronic notice of public meetings via the Internet at least 48 hours in advance. This notice must include relevant meeting documents, excluding only those deemed confidential under state law, related to excluded public discussions, or where legal counsel advises release would cause harm. Municipalities may hold urgent meetings without prior electronic notice if approved by a 3/4 vote, but must provide notice immediately afterward. The bill also creates a state reimbursement program through the Department of the Treasury to cover municipalities' additional costs for implementing this requirement.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes the "Parents Bill of Rights Act," granting parents and guardians specific rights regarding their child's education in public schools. It requires schools to provide parents with a curriculum summary, allow them to review classroom materials (including textbooks and media), and permits opting children out of any curriculum conflicting with the parent's moral or religious beliefs - without academic penalties for the student. The bill prohibits school districts from interfering with these rights or denying parent requests for educational information. It directly affects all parents/guardians of students enrolled in New Jersey public schools. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

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 (A 912) requires New Jersey school boards to adopt policies preventing obscene material in school libraries. It mandates that schools establish clear criteria for library materials, prohibit obscene content, ensure all staff comply with state obscenity laws (N.J.S.2C:34-3), and create procedures to investigate staff who distribute such material to students. The Commissioner of Education must provide guidance on identifying obscene material, recommending disciplinary actions (including termination for criminal violations), and when to involve law enforcement. Noncompliant school districts risk state funding sanctions, directly affecting school boards, library staff, and students' access to library resources.