Asm. John Azzariti

Maddy summaryThis bill reduces the sales tax rate by 50% on used passenger cars, motorcycles, motor homes, and off-road vehicles sold in New Jersey. It applies to all types of sales - including private transactions, casual sales, and dealer sales - where the vehicle has been previously owned (i.e., transferred from the original buyer). The tax cut lowers the effective rate to 3.3125% (based on current rates), directly affecting buyers of secondhand vehicles. The change takes effect two months after the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the threshold for two real estate transfer fees from $1 million to $2 million. It applies to the sale of residential, commercial, farm properties (with residential use), and cooperative units when the sale price exceeds $2 million, and to controlling interest transfers in commercial property entities when the value exceeds $2 million. Both fees remain at 1% of the sale price or value. As a result, transactions valued between $1 million and $2 million will no longer be subject to these fees and taxes.

Maddy summaryThis bill would lower New Jersey's sales and use tax rate from 6.625% to 6%, effective January 1, 2026. It amends Section 3 of P.L.1966, c.30 (C.54:32B-3) to reflect this change for all taxable retail sales, services, and hotel stays. The tax reduction would directly lower the amount consumers pay on eligible purchases and businesses collect from customers. The bill also adjusts related tax rates for hotel occupancy fees and municipal taxes that combine with the state sales tax. This change would result in lower tax payments for consumers and businesses on taxable transactions starting in 2026.

Maddy summaryThe "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act" (S 3309) requires used car dealers to check for open recalls on vehicles before sale using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website and provide prospective buyers with printed recall information if any are found. Dealers cannot sell vehicles subject to stop-sale or do-not-drive notices issued by NHTSA. The bill mandates dealers to report vehicles with unresolved recalls (for which repairs remain uncompleted six months after initial notice) to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission every 180 days, prompting the Commission to send notices directly to vehicle owners. For vehicles with unavailable parts for recalls, dealers receive monthly compensation equal to 1.75% of the vehicle's value until repairs are completed.

Maddy summaryThis is a procedural resolution (not a bill) establishing a special committee. It creates the "Assembly Special Committee on Staten Island Annexation" with 12 members (6 appointed by the Assembly Speaker, 6 by the Minority Leader). The committee's sole purpose is to investigate New Jersey's historical, legal, and geographic claims to Staten Island - including colonial land grants, the 1834 boundary compact, and relevant case law - and to report on lawful avenues for annexation, subject to consent from Staten Island residents, New York State, and Congress. The committee must publish a final report after completing its work.

Maddy summaryThe Affordable Home Energy Protection Act (A5944) prohibits New Jersey state agencies and local governments from adopting rules that restrict the installation, use, or require removal of natural gas, propane, or fuel oil-powered appliances and heating systems in homes and businesses. It directly affects residents, landlords, and commercial property owners who might otherwise face mandates to replace existing fossil-fuel systems with electric alternatives. The bill blocks local bans or restrictions on these systems but allows voluntary switches to electric options, incentives for efficiency, and emergency safety orders for unsafe appliances. It aims to prevent government-imposed energy mandates that could increase costs, particularly for low- and moderate-income households in older properties.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A3558 bill establishes the state's official definition of antisemitism using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) standard, including specific examples of antisemitic conduct. State agencies and institutions must use this definition when reviewing, investigating, or deciding on cases involving discriminatory acts motivated by antisemitism. The bill appropriates $100,000 for a public awareness campaign by the Attorney General's office to educate residents on identifying and reporting bias crimes through community outreach and the existing bias crimes hotline. This campaign aims to improve reporting of antisemitic incidents without affecting First Amendment rights or conflicting with existing anti-discrimination laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey schools and colleges to designate sports teams based on biological sex at birth (male, female, or coed), prohibiting students identified as male from participating on teams designated for females. If a student's sex is disputed, they must provide a physician's statement verifying reproductive anatomy, natural testosterone levels, and genetic makeup. The bill shields schools from penalties for maintaining sex-specific teams and allows students or schools to sue for violations or retaliation within two years, seeking damages and legal fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act" to improve transparency around vehicle recalls and provide fair compensation for dealers. It requires motor vehicle dealers to check for open recalls on used vehicles using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website before sale, inform prospective buyers about any recalls found, and not sell vehicles subject to stop-sale or do-not-drive notices. Dealers must also provide the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission with lists of vehicles with long-unfixed recalls (six months or more), triggering the Commission to send official notices to vehicle owners. The bill also establishes compensation requirements for dealers when parts are unavailable for recalled vehicles, requiring 1.75 percent of the vehicle's value per month for used vehicles or the manufacturer's suggested retail price for new vehicles.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "New Jersey Impact Fee Act," establishes rules for how New Jersey municipalities can charge developers a one-time fee to fund infrastructure (like roads, schools, and utilities) needed due to new construction. It requires fees to be based on local data (population, traffic, school needs) and used only for specific projects benefiting the development, not general costs or maintenance. Municipalities must publish annual reports online showing fee collection and spending, give 90 days' notice before new or higher fees, and prohibit changing fees after preliminary development approval. Developers may receive credits for contributing infrastructure instead of paying fees, and fees must be proportional to the development's impact.