Asm. Bob Auth

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how unused funds in inactive online gambling accounts are handled in New Jersey. After three years of inactivity, any remaining money in these accounts will be treated as unclaimed property under state law, rather than being split 50/50 between the casino and the casino control fund as current law requires. Casinos must attempt to contact account holders via mail, phone, or email before closing dormant accounts. This directly affects online gambling players with inactive accounts and casino licensees managing those accounts. The policy change aligns dormant gaming funds with standard unclaimed property procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) and South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) to display the exact toll amount paid by E-ZPass users on electronic signs at every toll plaza lane where E-ZPass is used. It applies to all toll plazas on New Jersey's three major toll roads (New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, and Atlantic City Expressway), except those using high-speed gantries. The display must show the specific toll charged to the customer's E-ZPass account when passing through. This change aims to increase transparency for drivers using electronic toll collection.

Maddy summaryAJR 52 designates May of each year as "Law Enforcement and Correctional Police Officer Appreciation Month" in New Jersey. The resolution requests the Governor to issue a proclamation encouraging public officials and residents to observe the month with activities honoring these officers' service. It does not create new laws, funding, or programs but serves as a symbolic recognition of their roles and sacrifices.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Assembly Resolution 30 urges the U.S. President and Congress to stop federal funding for gain-of-function research, which modifies pathogens like viruses to study potential dangers. This resolution directly addresses federal agencies (such as the National Institutes of Health) and Congress, which control research funding. It does not change existing law but formally requests an end to financial support for this type of research, citing concerns about creating more transmissible or dangerous pathogens. The resolution is non-binding and serves as a symbolic call to action.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1506) prohibits all public and private schools, as well as state, county, and local government entities, from requiring influenza vaccinations for anyone 18 years of age or younger. It specifically bans any requirement for flu vaccines or related immunity-providing injections, medications, or procedures for this age group. The law applies immediately upon enactment and covers all government employees, officials, and educational institutions. It directly affects minors under 18 and the institutions that serve them, removing mandatory flu vaccination requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A408, "Stop Social Media Censorship Act") allows users aged 18+ in New Jersey to sue social media platforms with over 75 million subscribers if the platform intentionally deletes or suppresses their political or religious speech. It requires platforms to pay a minimum of $75,000 per violation, plus actual damages and attorney fees, if they delete or algorithmically suppress such speech. The law explicitly prohibits platforms from defending their actions by claiming the user posted "hate speech," and excludes content involving violence, obscenity, or court orders from the scope of the lawsuit. The Attorney General may also step in to sue on behalf of affected users under specific circumstances.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey state employees whose jobs involve face-to-face public interaction to work in person during the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency. It mandates state agencies to create detailed reopening plans within 15 business days of enactment, covering safety measures like PPE, cleaning protocols, social distancing, and accommodations for high-risk employees. If an agency must temporarily close, it must provide public alternatives such as video platforms or mobile units. The requirements expire when the Governor ends the public health emergency, with agencies required to report compliance to the Governor and Legislature within 60 business days.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a New Jersey state program requiring contracting agencies (like state departments and authorities) to set annual procurement goals for awarding contracts to certified socially and economically disadvantaged business enterprises (SEDBEs). It defines SEDBEs as businesses owned by individuals who meet specific criteria for both social disadvantage (e.g., racial minority status, disability, gender identity, or location in high-poverty areas) and economic disadvantage (e.g., limited capital/credit access and net worth below a set threshold). The program mandates agencies to develop annual plans to meet these goals, use certified SEDBEs for prime contracts or subcontracts where feasible, and submit reports tracking contract awards and outreach efforts. The goal is to increase SEDBE participation in state procurement for construction, professional services, goods, and IT, without altering existing set-aside programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Local Unit Alignment, Reorganization, and Consolidation Commission to study and develop a process for dissolving county governments. It mandates the commission to examine county functions, funding, and relationships with state/municipal governments, then recommend specific legislative changes to transfer county responsibilities to the state or municipalities. The commission must submit a report with recommendations within 18 months, aiming to eliminate redundant services and reduce property taxes by removing what the bill calls an unnecessary governmental layer. The bill directly affects all 21 New Jersey counties and their residents, focusing on structural efficiency rather than immediate dissolution.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts year-round retail sales of specific school-related items from New Jersey's sales tax, including computers under $3,000, school supplies (like pens and notebooks), art supplies, instructional materials, and school computer supplies under $1,000. It also creates a $500 annual deduction from gross income for eligible K-12 teachers (public or private schools) who pay out-of-pocket for unreimbursed classroom supplies, such as books, art materials, or technology. The tax exemption applies to all sales after the fourth month following enactment, replacing the previous temporary back-to-school sales tax holiday. The bill directly affects students (through reduced costs for school items) and teachers (through tax relief for classroom expenses).