Asm. Bob Auth

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's Secretary of State from approving voting machines or systems if the vendor is a foreign company, a domestic company that exports voting technology overseas, has major non-citizen shareholders, or has board members serving on competing companies' boards. It requires all approved vendors to be U.S.-based and mandates thorough vendor vetting for all new contracts, plus annual compliance reviews before primary elections. Existing contracts approved before the bill's effective date remain valid until expiration, after which the new rules apply prospectively. The bill directly affects voting machine vendors seeking state approval, focusing on ownership structure and technology control to ensure domestic vendor accountability.

Maddy summaryThis bill would extend the closing time for polling places in New Jersey from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM for all general elections, primary elections, and special elections. It directly affects voters by providing an additional hour to cast ballots on election day, and election officials who manage polling locations. The key provision amends two existing statutes (R.S. 19:2-1 and R.S. 19:15-2) to change the closing time from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM, while maintaining the 6:00 AM opening time. The bill does not alter early voting procedures or eligibility, focusing solely on extending the daily polling window by one hour.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-1189) requires New Jersey to provide additional state school funding to reduce property tax burdens for residents. It directly affects school districts that experienced state aid reductions between 2018-2019 and 2022-2023, directing the state to pay them retroactive aid equal to their past funding losses. Key mechanisms include calculating base aid amounts based on historical funding formulas, mandating districts receiving increased state aid to lower property tax levies by the same amount, and requiring annual property tax reductions if state aid rises. The bill appropriates $2.9 billion to implement these changes, aiming to ensure school funding aligns with residents' ability to pay property taxes.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits all New Jersey public and private schools, as well as state, county, and local government entities, from requiring influenza vaccinations or any other flu immunity procedure for individuals under 18 years old. It explicitly bans both direct and indirect requirements for flu shots or related medications for this age group. The law takes immediate effect upon passage and applies to all government employees, officials, and school settings. This policy change directly affects minors enrolled in schools or interacting with government services by removing mandatory flu vaccination requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires local police departments and the Division of State Police (which issue firearms purchaser ID cards) to implement automatic voter registration for eligible residents. It applies directly to people obtaining firearms ID cards at these locations, who would be offered voter registration unless they decline. The bill mandates that these agencies electronically transmit eligibility information (age, citizenship, address) to the Secretary of State, following existing rules used at the Motor Vehicle Commission, including providing clear opt-out notices to applicants. This expands automatic voter registration to new locations without changing eligibility requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey municipalities to count existing low- and moderate-income housing units toward their fair share obligation for affordable housing. Municipalities can receive a one-to-one credit for units built or rehabilitated between April 1980 and December 1986, provided they meet specific criteria: a certificate of occupancy, structural compliance certification, household income verification (under penalty of perjury), and affordability standards. The credit applies to units occupied by households meeting income limits and available to the public, including those in community residences for the developmentally disabled. This change modifies how municipalities calculate their affordable housing requirements under existing law, directly affecting local governments seeking to fulfill state housing obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to provide free, periodic cancer screenings every three years for volunteer firefighters, starting three years after they begin service. It covers 11 specific cancers (including colon, lung, breast, and prostate) and applies to all volunteer firefighters serving in fire districts, departments, or companies across the state. Physicians in the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) must offer these screenings with no cost to firefighters, and the state will reimburse providers up to $1,250 per firefighter every three years. The bill extends existing paid firefighter benefits to unpaid volunteers, eliminating co-pays, deductibles, or out-of-pocket costs for screenings.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires electric and gas public utilities operating in New Jersey to maintain 40% of their emergency call center operations within the state. It directly affects all electric and gas utilities that serve New Jersey customers, mandating that a significant portion of their emergency call handling stays in-state. The key provision sets a specific percentage (40%) for call center locations, ensuring faster local response during outages or emergencies. The law takes effect 180 days after enactment, as specified in the bill text.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey municipalities from passing ordinances that require local officials to refuse cooperation with federal immigration enforcement requests. It directly affects municipal and county governing bodies, making such policies void and imposing penalties (including fines or loss of office) on officials who vote to adopt them. The bill also requires local employees to comply with federal immigration requests and provides state defense for employees acting in good faith during such cooperation. Key provisions include banning "sanctuary city" policies and establishing legal protections for local officials who follow federal immigration enforcement requests.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases penalties for unlawfully taking motor vehicles without the owner's consent in New Jersey. It raises the offense of simply taking a vehicle (without risk) from a fourth-degree crime to a third-degree crime, punishable by 3-5 years in prison or a $15,000 fine. It also elevates the offense of taking a vehicle in a way that risks injury or property damage from a third-degree to a second-degree crime, carrying 5-10 years in prison or a $150,000 fine. The bill directly affects anyone who takes, operates, or rides in a vehicle without consent, including typical "joyriding" cases. These changes adjust the legal classification and penalties without altering the core definition of the offense.