Asm. Bob Auth

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to prioritize principal forgiveness for environmental infrastructure loans to municipalities in coastal areas. It directly affects coastal municipalities needing funding for projects like wastewater treatment and water supply systems. The key mechanism establishes that these coastal communities will receive preferential treatment in the existing Interim Environmental Financing Program for eligible projects listed on the DEP's priority list. The change modifies how loan forgiveness is allocated within current financing programs, without creating new funding sources.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the sales tax on used motor vehicles by 50 percent. It applies to secondhand passenger cars, motorcycles, motor homes, and off-road vehicles sold in New Jersey, including private sales and dealer transactions. Buyers will pay half the standard sales tax rate on these vehicles, lowering their purchase cost. The bill takes effect two months after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 628) prohibits courts from awarding a "builder's remedy" in lawsuits challenging exclusionary zoning laws. It directly affects municipalities, developers, and affordable housing advocates involved in zoning litigation. The bill states that courts must instead impose other remedies if a municipality fails to provide a realistic opportunity for affordable housing development, banning court orders that require zoning changes to include market-rate housing as a condition for development. The Legislature states this remedy has historically produced excessive market-rate housing with little affordable housing, harming communities and the state. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits of members in New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). It directly affects current and future retirees who are members of this system, restoring annual benefit increases tied to inflation. The key provision amends existing law to allow the retirement system's board of trustees to reinstate these automatic COLAs without requiring additional contributions from members, provided actuarial certification confirms the change won't harm the fund's long-term stability. The bill does not create new benefits but returns a previously reduced feature of the retirement system.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans most abortions after 20 weeks following fertilization (conception), requiring physicians to determine the unborn child's post-fertilization age before performing an abortion. It directly affects women seeking abortions after 20 weeks and physicians who perform such procedures. Key exceptions allow abortions for: (1) life-threatening medical conditions of the pregnant person; (2) rape (if reported to authorities and 48-hour counseling is obtained); or (3) incest involving minors (if reported). If an abortion occurs under an exception and the child survives, the bill requires a neonatal care specialist to be present to provide life-saving care.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a $2,000 deduction from New Jersey gross income tax for eligible volunteer firefighters, first aid squad members, and rescue squad volunteers. To qualify, individuals must serve the entire tax year, meet specific duty requirements (60% fire service attendance or 400 duty hours for fire volunteers; 10% rescue service attendance or 400 duty hours for first aid/rescue volunteers), and hold required certifications (Firefighter I for fire volunteers or approved EMS training for rescue volunteers). Fire departments and first aid/rescue squads must submit annual lists of qualifying members to state agencies by March 31st. The deduction applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a legal presumption that joint legal and physical custody is in a child's best interest for all New Jersey child custody cases. It requires courts to assume equal or approximately equal time with both parents and shared decision-making on health, education, and welfare, unless a parent provides clear evidence that joint custody would harm the child. To rebut this presumption, a parent must prove harm with "clear and convincing evidence," and courts must document their reasoning. The law applies directly to parents and judges handling custody disputes in New Jersey courts. If passed, it would shift the default custody arrangement from flexible court discretion to equal shared parenting, with limited exceptions.

Maddy summaryACR 55 creates a special legislative committee to investigate costs in New Jersey's public employee health care programs. The committee will examine premium increases for state health benefits, contract disputes with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, allegations about Governor's Office interference in Treasury staff decisions, and the implementation of a 2019 law establishing fund subaccounts and third-party reviews. This procedural resolution does not change policy but mandates a fact-finding investigation to inform future legislative decisions. The committee’s report will recommend potential policy changes after reviewing these specific issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows corrections officers, firefighters, and police officers to administer epinephrine auto-injectors (allergy shots) after completing a state-approved training program. It requires these personnel to receive certification to administer, maintain, and dispose of the devices, with training approved by the Commissioner of Health. The law specifically includes county/state corrections officers, firefighters employed or volunteering for public fire departments, and State/county/municipal police officers. This clarifies existing law to explicitly permit these public safety workers to provide emergency allergy treatment.

Maddy summaryAJR 22 designates October 23 annually as Beirut Barracks Bombing Remembrance Day in New Jersey. The resolution requires the Governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of the day. This commemorative measure honors the 220 U.S. military personnel killed in the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, without implementing new policies or affecting specific groups.