Asm. Bob Auth

Maddy summaryThis bill permits certain home-based businesses to operate as "permitted accessory uses" in residential zones across New Jersey, directly affecting homeowners running small businesses from their homes. It sets specific conditions: the business must be compatible with residential neighborhoods, limit visitor traffic and deliveries to normal residential levels, avoid visible signage or parking, and not create noise, pollution, or illegal activity. Municipalities may establish minor local standards for visitor volume or traffic but cannot override existing ordinances that conflict with these state guidelines. The bill does not apply to common interest communities (like condos with deed restrictions) that already prohibit home businesses, nor does it limit municipalities' authority to address neighborhood nuisances.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey 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 specifically targets wastewater and drinking water projects in regions defined as "coastal areas" under existing law. The legislation amends current law to ensure coastal municipalities receive preferential treatment for loan forgiveness when accessing financing through the state's Water Bank program. This change would make it easier for coastal communities to secure funding for critical infrastructure improvements without full repayment of the loan principal.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allocate $7.5 million annually from constitutionally dedicated Corporation Business Tax (CBT) revenue to preserve land in New Jersey's Highlands Region. It redirects $5 million from the existing Green Acres program (for recreation and conservation) and $2.5 million from the Farmland Preservation program into a new Highlands Preservation Fund managed by the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council. The fund will be used to acquire land for recreation, conservation, and farmland preservation through fee simple purchases, conservation easements, and development rights. The bill specifies that funds can't be used for contaminated land or land already preserved, and prioritizes areas identified in the Highlands regional master plan.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey electric utilities from raising rates specifically to cover smart meter installation costs. It requires utilities to publicly disclose rate increase details - including amount, reasons, and expected bill impact - 30 days before and after any increase, with fines up to $10,000 for noncompliance. For rate hikes causing a 5% or greater average bill increase, utilities must report to the federal Department of Energy 60 days in advance and cannot disconnect service or charge late fees for six months afterward. The bill directly affects electric utilities and ratepayers (homeowners and businesses paying electricity bills) by restricting certain rate increases and enhancing transparency.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows property owners to request notification before a quitclaim deed is recorded on their property. If requested, county recording offices must notify the owner within 10-12 business days of a deed submission and delay recording for that period. Owners can provide preferred contact details (mail/email) and will pay a fee to cover administrative costs. The law directly affects property owners seeking to prevent fraudulent transfers and county recording offices handling deed records. It amends existing laws to require this notification process for quitclaim deeds, which often lack title guarantees.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (ACR 153) states that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) 2021 rules implementing the "Advanced Clean Trucks" program are inconsistent with legislative intent. The rules require truck manufacturers to sell increasing percentages of zero-emission vehicles (e.g., 55% of certain trucks by 2035), but the DEP adopted them without following a 2003 law requiring notice to environmental committees before implementing new California program phases. The resolution cites that the 2003 law only authorized the DEP to adopt rules for California's *second phase* of low-emission vehicles, not the newer "Advanced Clean Trucks" program. It directs the DEP to amend or withdraw the rules within 30 days or risk further legislative action to invalidate them.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Real Estate Commission to grant licenses without exams to out-of-state real estate brokers, broker-salespersons, and salespersons if their home state offers equal reciprocity (meaning it allows New Jersey licensees to work there) and has licensing standards comparable to New Jersey's. It replaces the current discretionary process with a mandatory requirement for the Commission. The rule applies to license applications received seven months after the bill's enactment. This directly affects real estate professionals seeking to practice in New Jersey from states with mutual licensing agreements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state agencies that issue hunting, fishing, or trapping licenses (specifically the Division of Fish and Wildlife) to automatically register eligible voters during license applications, mirroring the existing process at the Motor Vehicle Commission. Agencies would collect existing license application information (like age, citizenship, and address) and automatically transmit it to the voter registration office, but applicants would be given the option to decline registration. The bill mandates these agencies follow the same procedures and notice requirements as the Motor Vehicle Commission for automatic voter registration, without changing current eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryAJR 213 establishes a New Jersey Delegation on Government Efficiency (DOGE) to examine state government operations and identify ways to save taxpayer money and improve efficiency. The DOGE will consist of the State Auditor (as chair) and up to 20 public members appointed by a bipartisan committee including the Governor, Senate President, Assembly Speaker, and minority leaders. Members must have relevant audit experience and disclose conflicts of interest, and vacancies are filled through the same appointment process. The DOGE must issue a public report within 20 months detailing its findings and recommendations for cost savings and operational improvements, directly affecting all state agencies and departments.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey state employees in career, senior executive, and unclassified positions from working remotely. It amends state law to require that the Civil Service Commission's rules for work hours and overtime pay must not permit remote work, ending the existing 2022 telework pilot program that allowed up to two remote days weekly. The prohibition takes immediate effect upon enactment and applies specifically to employees in those service categories. The bill does not change overtime or holiday pay rules but removes remote work as an option for affected employees.