Asm. Bob Auth

Maddy summaryThe "Empower the Principal Act" (A393) eliminates local school superintendents and assistant superintendents in New Jersey school districts, prohibiting boards of education from reappointing or hiring new superintendents. It transfers superintendent duties to executive county superintendents, who will have general supervision over all school districts in their county while having a non-voting seat on school board meetings. The bill also prohibits schools from employing more than one vice-principal or assistant principal, giving principals direct oversight over their individual schools. The legislation repeals existing provisions related to superintendents and modifies rules for sharing school business administrators. The effective date is the first full school year following enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits using fetal tissue obtained from elective abortions for any research purposes and bans using any fetal tissue (regardless of source) for cosmetic research. It amends New Jersey law to make these uses illegal, with violations punishable by fines up to $50,000 per offense. The bill does not restrict research using fetal tissue from miscarriages or stillbirths, nor does it affect existing rules about donating unused embryos from fertility treatments or genetic testing for health reasons. This policy change directly impacts researchers and institutions seeking to use such tissue for the banned purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits candidates from being nominated for more than one elective office in the same primary or general election. It amends New Jersey law to prevent candidates from accepting nominations for multiple offices during a single election cycle, including both primary and general elections. The law also requires the Secretary of State to certify candidates for only one office per election, ensuring no individual appears on ballots for multiple positions simultaneously. This change directly affects candidates seeking multiple offices in the same election, such as running for both state assembly and senate seats in the same election.

Maddy summaryACR 34 proposes a constitutional amendment to create a property tax credit for New Jersey seniors. It would provide a 50% credit on primary residence property taxes, capped at $10,000 annually, for residents aged 65 or older who own their homes. The credit has no income restrictions, and the state would pay municipalities directly to cover the credit amount. Surviving spouses of eligible seniors who received the credit may continue to qualify under specific conditions, such as remaining in the same home and not remarrying. This amendment requires voter approval before the Legislature would implement the "Stay NJ" program.

Maddy summaryACR 102 is a non-binding resolution urging New Jersey's Department of Education to impose a two-year moratorium on developing or implementing new Student Learning Standards. It requests this pause due to recent adoption of standards in 2020, parent concerns about current standards, and pandemic-related learning loss. The resolution does not change existing standards but asks the Department to halt new standards development while the Legislature considers related bills addressing learning loss. This affects the Department's curriculum planning process during the moratorium period.

Maddy summaryThis bill temporarily reduces New Jersey's corporate business tax rate from 9% to 7.5% for five tax years (starting January 1 after enactment) and repeals the 2.5% corporation business surtax. It directly affects most corporations (excluding S corporations and partnerships with over $100,000 annual net income) by lowering their tax burden on net income. The key provisions are the rate reduction and surtax repeal, which were set to expire in 2023. The sponsor states the goal is to promote economic development and job creation by easing taxes for businesses.

Maddy summaryThis bill streamlines EMT-Basic certification by capping total required training hours at 90 for initial certification and 30 for additional certifications within an EMT-Basic scope of practice. Training agencies offering EMT-Basic programs exceeding these hour limits would become ineligible for state certification. The bill directly affects EMT trainees, training programs, and the New Jersey Department of Health. It aims to make certification more accessible by reducing training burdens, aligning with practices in other states.

Maddy summaryThis bill permits firefighters in New Jersey to complete certain theory-based courses required for Firefighter 1 certification online, rather than in person. It directly affects individuals pursuing this certification and the Division of Fire Safety, which sets training standards. The bill allows online delivery for all certification courses **except** hands-on practical skills like hose handling, ladder operations, search/rescue drills, and equipment use (e.g., SCBA, fire attack). This change aims to increase flexibility while maintaining in-person training for critical physical skills.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A394) modifies how New Jersey school districts calculate payments to charter schools for students residing in those districts. It requires districts to include adjustment aid in payments when 50% of the base funding (equalization aid plus general fund tax levy, adjusted for inflation) is less than the district's adjustment aid per pupil. Under the change, districts must then pay charter schools 60% of the combined total (equalization aid, adjustment aid, and general fund tax levy, adjusted for inflation). The bill directly affects school districts, charter schools, and students enrolled in charter schools who live in the district. It ensures charter schools receive more equitable funding in specific cases where adjustment aid would otherwise be excluded.

Maddy summaryAJR 22 designates October 23rd of each year 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 241 U.S. military personnel killed in the 1983 Beirut barracks bombing, which was carried out by Hezbollah with Iranian support. The resolution has no policy impact beyond establishing a designated day for remembrance.