Asm. Bob Auth

Maddy summaryNew Jersey Assembly Bill A412 prohibits the Secretary of State from approving voting machines or systems from vendors that are foreign companies, domestic companies exporting voting technology overseas, or companies with significant foreign ownership (major shareholders who are non-U.S. citizens). It requires all qualifying vendors to be U.S.-based and mandates annual compliance reviews for contractors before primary elections. The bill also requires thorough vendor vetting during all procurement processes for voting systems. Existing contracts approved before the law's effective date remain valid until expiration, with new contracts subject to these rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces New Jersey's tax on petroleum products from the current 31.9 cents per gallon to a fixed 4 cents per gallon - the rate in effect during 2016. It directly affects petroleum distributors and refiners by eliminating variable tax adjustments based on fuel consumption or revenue, and it removes the State Treasurer's authority to change the rate or the review council established in 2016. The bill reverts the tax structure to its 2016 baseline, requiring future changes to be enacted by the Legislature rather than administered by the State Treasurer. Consumers would likely see lower gasoline costs due to the reduced tax rate, though the bill itself only changes the tax mechanism.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows police officers to be assigned to polling places located in public schools during elections. Specifically, it amends election law to permit district boards, election superintendents, or county clerks to request police presence at these school-based polling locations for maintaining order and providing security. The request must be made explicitly for school polling places, and any assigned officer must focus solely on election security during voting hours. The bill also requires documentation of such assignments, including the reason, duration, and outcome, to be recorded and made publicly available.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A398) makes knowingly making a false report of child abuse or neglect a crime of the third degree in New Jersey. It directly affects individuals who file false reports under state law, subjecting them to potential penalties including up to 5 years in prison, a $15,000 fine, or both. The bill also adds a civil penalty of up to $10,000 payable to the state treasury for the Department of Children and Families. The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds postpartum depression services to New Jersey's existing 9-8-8 behavioral health crisis hotline system. It requires the state to contract with crisis hotline centers that specifically provide services for postpartum depression, including coordinating referrals to Children's System of Care when callers have children. The law mandates that hotline centers follow federal standards for the 9-8-8 system while ensuring specialized support for postpartum depression cases. These changes directly affect New Jersey residents experiencing postpartum depression and require coordination between crisis hotlines, mental health providers, and child welfare agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A390) would provide housing expense reimbursements to surviving spouses of New Jersey public safety officers killed while performing official duties - including police, firefighters, sheriffs, and corrections officers. Eligible spouses could receive up to $15,000 annually to cover rent, mortgage, or property taxes on their primary residence, for as long as dependent children reside there through high school graduation or college enrollment. Funding would come from voluntary contributions added to state income tax returns, managed through a new "Fallen Public Safety Officer Surviving Spouse Housing Assistance Fund." The reimbursements would not count as taxable income under New Jersey law.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 28) urges the federal government to approve oil and natural gas pipelines within the U.S., including those previously denied or shut down (like the Keystone XL Pipeline, revoked by President Biden in 2021). It argues that approving such pipelines would enhance U.S. energy independence, reduce reliance on foreign energy sources (e.g., from Russia or Venezuela), and lower fuel costs while creating jobs. The resolution directs copies to federal leaders but does not create new law or directly affect residents. It focuses on advocating for pipeline approvals as a policy action, not on implementing specific regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates the New Jersey State Treasurer's authority to annually adjust the state's gasoline and diesel tax rates. Currently, the Treasurer adjusts rates yearly to meet a revenue cap based on historical fuel sales data. Under this bill, only the New Jersey Legislature can change the tax rate through new legislation, ending the Treasurer's automatic adjustment process. The change affects fuel companies (which pay the tax) and state budget planning, as tax rates will no longer adjust automatically to meet revenue targets.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to give priority to applicants seeking firearms purchaser identification cards or handgun permits when they have a domestic violence restraining order in effect against a perpetrator. The legislation requires that applications specifically ask about such restraining orders and ensures these applicants are processed before others. This change is intended to help victims of domestic violence more quickly obtain the means to protect themselves. The bill directly affects individuals who are victims of domestic violence and seeking firearm permits or identification cards.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies New Jersey's food sales law to clarify that producers of baked goods (like cakes, cookies, and pastries, but excluding bread) can sell these items at farm markets in wrapped or covered containers for health reasons, without needing to weigh them. Currently, most food sold by dry measure must be sold by weight or count, with limited exceptions for farmers selling produce in open containers. The bill explicitly adds baked goods to this exception when sold in sanitized, wrapped containers, aligning with common farm market practices. It defines "producer" to include bakers of these items and specifies that such goods must still be sold in standard-sized containers. This change directly affects small-batch bakery vendors operating at farm markets.