Asm. Bob Auth

Maddy summaryThis bill requires certifying officers to complete a detailed eligibility checklist for public employees enrolled in New Jersey's Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) who provide professional services as attorneys, engineers, accountants, auditors, physicians, or architects. The checklist, based on the IRS employee test, verifies that these workers are employees (not independent contractors) and must include supporting documents like position resolutions and appointment records. The bill mandates a retirement system audit program to review all such enrollments within 60 days of enactment, with initial focus on existing enrollments. Certifying officers or supervisors who knowingly enroll ineligible employees face escalating fines: $1,000 for the first violation, $2,500 for a second within 10 years, and $5,000 for subsequent violations.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits the information required on New Jersey marriage or civil union license applications. It prohibits the Department of Health from asking applicants to provide: (1) the number of previous marriages or civil unions they've entered, or (2) the name of their most recent spouse or civil union partner. The bill also clarifies that Social Security numbers provided on the form must remain confidential and cannot be shared publicly, though they may be used for child support enforcement. This directly affects anyone applying for a marriage or civil union license in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 135) is a symbolic statement by the New Jersey Assembly opposing President Biden's 2021 decision to revoke the Presidential Permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. It does not create new laws or affect residents directly but formally urges President Biden to reverse his decision and requests Congress to override the revocation if needed. The resolution cites arguments about energy security, economic benefits (including potential job creation), and safety comparisons between pipeline and rail transport. It has no binding effect and serves only to express legislative opinion to federal officials.

Maddy summaryThis resolution opposes any proposal to reclassify the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (currently a 70,000-acre federal site spanning New Jersey and Pennsylvania) as a National Park and Preserve, including a specific plan by the Delaware River National Park and Lenape Preserve Alliance. It specifically addresses concerns that such a change could restrict recreational activities like hunting, harm local tourism businesses in Sussex and Warren counties, and potentially lead to federal acquisition of private land near the area. The resolution does not change any park designations but formally expresses New Jersey's position against the proposed reclassification. It aims to protect local economic interests and recreational access for residents and visitors in the affected counties.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts horse-boarding businesses in New Jersey from charging sales tax on two specific services: (1) renting stalls in barns or stables for horses, and (2) basic maintenance or servicing of boarded horses. It directly affects stables and boarding facilities by clarifying that these charges are no longer subject to the state's 6.625% sales tax. The bill amends the existing tax code to exclude "charges for storing a horse... in a barn, stable, or other similar structure" from the taxable "space for storage" category. These exemptions apply to taxable years beginning January 1 after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryACR 133 creates a special legislative committee called the "New Jersey Public Employee Health Care Program Costs Investigation Committee" to examine issues related to state employee health care costs. The committee will investigate premium increases in state health programs, contract disputes with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, allegations of political pressure on Treasury staff regarding a $34 million contract, and the implementation of a 2019 law establishing health fund subaccounts. This procedural resolution does not enact new policy but authorizes the committee to hold hearings, issue subpoenas (with specific approvals), and issue findings and recommendations to the legislature. The committee expires upon completion of its investigation.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from requiring Tier A municipalities to adopt ordinances controlling tree removal and replacement as part of the Municipal Stormwater Regulation Program. Tier A municipalities are defined as those located in urbanized areas meeting specific population density and stormwater discharge criteria (e.g., population over 1,000 in urbanized areas, population density ≥1,000/sq mile). The bill directly reverses a November 2023 DEP rule that mandated these tree ordinances for Tier A communities. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new expedited court process for property owners to remove unauthorized occupants who never paid rent, had no lease, or permission to live on the property. Property owners must submit a verified complaint with specific certifications (e.g., occupant never paid rent or had written permission) and provide written notice to the occupant before filing. The court must schedule a hearing within 5 business days and issue a writ of possession if the certifications are verified, requiring immediate removal by court officers. Property owners who win such cases can recover treble damages for unlawful occupancy beyond standard remedies. The process applies only to occupants without any legal basis for occupancy, as defined by the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4259) expands New Jersey's Regulatory Flexibility Act to better protect small businesses. It redefines "small business" as entities with under 100 full-time employees or $6 million in annual sales, requiring state agencies to actively minimize economic impacts when creating or renewing rules. Key provisions mandate agencies to simplify compliance requirements, use performance-based standards instead of rigid designs, and consider factors like rule complexity when reviewing rules for renewal. Small businesses can now file petitions within 90 days if they believe rules disproportionately harm them, with a new process for agency review and limited judicial oversight for meritorious claims.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4256) requires New Jersey's Attorney General to repeal Attorney General Law Enforcement Directive No. 2018-6. The directive currently restricts state, county, and local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities in specific ways, such as providing assistance solely to enforce civil immigration law or extending detention based only on immigration detainer requests. If passed, the bill would eliminate these restrictions, allowing law enforcement to share information and cooperate with federal immigration authorities under federal law. The bill directly affects all New Jersey law enforcement agencies operating under the Attorney General's authority.