Asm. Bob Auth

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2688) requires all New Jersey high school students to pass a civics test identical to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization test to graduate. Students must take the test in 9th grade and retake it annually until they correctly answer at least 60 of 100 questions. School districts must document passing scores on students' transcripts. The bill directly affects all public high school students in New Jersey, making this test a mandatory graduation requirement starting with the 2015-2016 school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires courts to mandate installation of an ignition interlock device in a person's principal vehicle whenever a stay of sentence is granted for a DWI conviction or refusal to take a breathalyzer test pending appeal. The device must remain installed in the vehicle until the appeal process concludes. This applies to individuals convicted of DWI under New Jersey law (R.S.39:4-50) or refusal to take a breathalyzer test (section 2 of P.L.1981, c.512). The bill does not change the underlying penalties for DWI convictions but adds this condition for those seeking to delay their sentence while appealing.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits courts from imposing a "builder's remedy" in lawsuits challenging exclusionary zoning laws. It directly affects municipalities facing housing litigation and developers who previously sought this remedy. The key provision bans court orders requiring municipalities to use zoning tactics (like density bonuses) that prioritize market-rate housing development over affordable units. Instead, if a court finds a municipality failed to provide reasonable opportunities for affordable housing, it must choose an alternative remedy. The bill aims to shift focus from litigation-driven market-rate development toward other solutions for addressing affordable housing needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill gradually reduces New Jersey's Corporation Business Tax (CBT) rate for businesses operating in the state. It lowers the rate from 9% to 2.5% over time, with specific reductions: 7% for 2021, 5% for 2022, 3% for 2023, and 2.5% for 2024 and beyond. The bill also provides accelerated reductions for smaller businesses, lowering the tax rate for those with less than $100,000 in income to 3.5% in 2021 and 2.5% starting in 2022. The tax rate applies to taxable net income for businesses with privilege periods ending on or after July 31, 2019.

Maddy summaryThis bill would appropriate $2.9 billion in state funding to ensure school districts receive aid equal to their "adequacy budget" as determined under New Jersey's School Funding Reform Act. It requires districts that receive increased state aid to reduce their property tax levies by the same amount, with specific provisions for districts where property taxes exceed 5% of district income. The bill also provides additional aid to districts that experienced funding cuts between 2018-2023 and repeals certain laws that contributed to reduced state aid and higher property taxes. The policy aims to align school funding with constitutional requirements for a "thorough and efficient" education system while reducing property tax burdens on residents.

Maddy summaryACR 47 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how New Jersey municipalities calculate their affordable housing obligations. Currently, these obligations are based on regional housing needs; this amendment would require the Legislature to establish a single statewide calculation for all affordable housing needs instead. Municipalities would no longer need to meet regional targets but would instead be bound by a statewide requirement for affordable housing units. The amendment would take effect only if approved by voters in the next general election following legislative passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3144) changes New Jersey law to allow certain special law enforcement officers to carry firearms at all times while in the State, not just within their municipality. It specifically applies to Class Two special officers employed full-time (35+ hours/week) by municipalities with over 300,000 residents (per 1980 census), provided they complete required training. Currently, these officers must turn in firearms at day's end and can only carry off-duty within their municipality. The bill removes the geographic restriction, permitting them to carry firearms anywhere in New Jersey after meeting the training requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes standards for domestic violence counseling programs that defendants must attend as part of court orders in domestic violence cases. It requires these programs to include specific components like risk assessments, education about power and control dynamics, and protocols for documenting attendance. The bill creates an "Abuse Intervention Program Advisory Committee" within the Department of Children and Families to oversee these programs, with members representing courts, law enforcement, mental health services, domestic violence advocates, and community stakeholders. The committee will help select and fund evidence-based counseling programs that focus on holding offenders accountable and supporting victims' safety. The bill aims to improve the effectiveness of domestic violence counseling by setting clear standards and creating oversight through the new committee.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A968) allows municipalities to challenge COAH (Council on Affordable Housing) orders requiring non-redevelopment housing projects on undeveloped land, unless the order addresses exclusionary zoning practices in that municipality. It excludes flood-prone land from affordable housing vacant land analysis, meaning land below flood elevation standards or within 100 feet of certain water bodies cannot be counted toward housing requirements. The bill caps a municipality's affordable housing obligation at a 5% population increase over a 10-year period, replacing the previous 1,000-unit limit. These provisions aim to balance housing needs with municipal planning considerations and environmental protections. The Department of Environmental Protection must develop rules for identifying flood-prone lands within seven months of enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) to calculate each municipality's affordable housing obligations on a statewide basis, rather than using local or regional methods. It mandates that COAH produce a report every five years analyzing the ratio of median home maintenance costs (including property taxes, mortgage, insurance, and utilities) to statewide median household income. This report will update the statewide calculation method used to determine housing obligations. The change directly affects all municipalities required to meet New Jersey's affordable housing goals under state law.