Asm. John Azzariti

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an annual two-month sales tax holiday in New Jersey from August 1 to September 30 each year. During this period, individuals purchasing qualifying items for personal, non-business use are exempt from state sales tax on: computers under $3,000, school computer supplies under $1,000, and specific school supplies (like notebooks and pencils), art supplies (paints, clay), and instructional materials (textbooks, reference books). The exemption applies only to retail sales to individual consumers, not businesses or bulk purchases. The tax holiday aims to reduce costs for families buying back-to-school essentials during a typical low-demand period for retailers.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow expectant mothers in New Jersey who are in their third trimester of pregnancy to receive a temporary parking placard. The $4 placard, valid for up to three months, permits mothers to park longer at metered spots or use disability parking spaces without needing a separate disability permit. To qualify, a mother must provide written certification from a doctor, nurse practitioner, or other qualified healthcare provider confirming her third-trimester status. The placard must be displayed on the vehicle and clearly show an expiration date.

Maddy summaryThis bill would exclude up to $50,000 of gross income from taxation for qualified small businesses under New Jersey's gross income tax and corporation business tax. To qualify, businesses must be independently owned with management owning at least 51% ownership interest, have principal operations located in New Jersey, be registered to do business in the state, earn gross revenues under $2 million annually, and employ no more than 20 full-time or part-time employees (with most being New Jersey residents). The exclusion applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024. This provision would reduce the tax burden for eligible small businesses meeting these specific criteria. The bill provides targeted tax relief to small businesses operating within New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey to provide volunteer firefighters with free, periodic cancer screenings every three years, starting three years after they begin volunteering. The screenings cover 11 specific cancers (including colon, lung, breast, and prostate) and must be administered by physicians in the State Health Benefits Program network. The state will reimburse providers up to $1,250 per firefighter every three years, with no out-of-pocket costs for the firefighters. Fire districts must maintain records to support reimbursement claims, extending existing paid firefighter benefits to volunteer firefighters.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the monthly personal needs allowance (PNA) from $50 to $140 for low-income residents in nursing homes, state psychiatric hospitals, and state developmental centers. The allowance is intended for residents to spend on discretionary items like phone calls, meals out, clothing, or hobbies. The new amount includes an automatic annual increase tied to the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment starting the year after enactment. It also ensures SSI recipients in these facilities receive the same $140 monthly allowance as Medicaid recipients, with the state covering the difference if federal supplements remain unchanged.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A4609) requires school boards to adopt policies preventing obscene material in school libraries. The policy must prohibit obscene content (defined by existing state obscenity law), set library material standards, mandate employee compliance with laws against distributing obscene material to minors, and create procedures for investigating staff violations. The state education commissioner will provide schools with guidance on identifying prohibited material and recommended disciplinary actions, including termination for violations. Noncompliant school districts risk state funding sanctions.

Maddy summaryAJR 187 designates July 24 of each year as "Josh Gibson Negro Leagues Appreciation Day" in New Jersey to honor baseball legend Josh Gibson and the Negro Leagues. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance through programs and activities. It recognizes Gibson's career achievements, including his recent integration into MLB records as the all-time leader in batting average and slugging percentage, and commemorates his 1936 home run at Belmar, New Jersey. The bill has no binding effect beyond the symbolic recognition and annual observance.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 144) urges Major League Baseball to establish an annual "Negro Leagues Day" on May 2, commemorating the first game of the Negro National League in 1920. It highlights the historical significance of the Negro Leagues (1920-1960), their role in breaking racial barriers in baseball, and New Jersey's connections to teams like the Newark Eagles. The resolution requests MLB adopt this observance and directs copies to MLB's commissioner, the Baseball Hall of Fame, and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. It does not create new law or impose requirements on MLB.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4012) establishes a minimum Medicaid reimbursement rate for structured day program services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries with brain injuries. It requires that these services be reimbursed at the average rate currently paid for Day Habilitation Services Tiers D and E under the Division of Developmental Disabilities program - approximately $9.38 per 15 minutes, compared to the current $3.65 rate for brain injury day programs. The policy directly affects licensed brain injury service providers and Medicaid beneficiaries requiring brain injury treatment. The change applies to services provided on or after the bill's effective date, aligning brain injury service reimbursement with rates for comparable developmental disability services.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 143) requires New Jersey Assembly bills and resolutions to include clearly formatted elements: a readable title, text, synopsis, and sponsor's statement (limited to 450 words). It amends Assembly rules to mandate that sponsors attach a summary statement explaining the bill's content and affected parties, to be printed on the front of the document. The resolution also directs the Speaker, with input from the Office of Legislative Services, to develop standardized formatting to make these elements easily distinguishable. The goal is to improve accessibility and transparency of legislative documents for the public, including individuals with disabilities.