Asm. Dan Hutchison

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 165) urges the U.S. federal government to create legislation providing proportional property tax relief for veterans with service-connected permanent disabilities. It proposes that veterans receive tax relief based on their U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability rating (e.g., 30% disability would yield 30% tax relief), limited to their primary residence and veterans earning under $200,000 annually. The resolution highlights that New Jersey currently offers full property tax exemptions for veterans with 100% service-connected disabilities, but this federal standard would extend similar proportional benefits to veterans nationwide. It does not create new state law but calls for federal action to ensure consistent support for veterans across all states.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public institutions of higher education in New Jersey to pay prevailing wage rates for construction, repair, and maintenance work intended for their use. It expands the definition of "public work" to include projects under agreement to be purchased by public bodies and work paid for through "take-out financing." The bill ensures that workers on these projects, including those employed by entities associated with public institutions of higher education, receive the prevailing wage rate determined by the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development. This applies to construction, reconstruction, demolition, alteration, custom fabrication, and maintenance work done under contract with entities associated with public institutions.

Maddy summaryThis bill upgrades burglary of a residence (such as a home or dwelling) from a third-degree to a second-degree crime in New Jersey, increasing potential penalties to 5-10 years in prison. If the burglary occurs while the perpetrator is armed with a weapon or explosives, or is connected to another serious crime, it becomes a first-degree crime with a potential 10-20 year sentence. The bill also requires that offenders convicted of these upgraded residential burglaries serve at least 85% of their sentence without parole, as mandated by New Jersey's No Early Release Act. This change directly affects individuals convicted of residential burglary, making penalties more severe for crimes targeting homes.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits businesses in New Jersey from owning, operating, or selling cryptocurrency ATMs - machines that let users buy, sell, or exchange digital currency using cash, debit, or credit cards. It defines cryptocurrency as digital money operating without a central authority (like a bank) and sets fines of up to $10,000 for first violations and $20,000 for repeat offenses. The law targets a surge in fraud, as federal data shows cryptocurrency ATM scams caused over $65 million in losses in the first half of 2024 alone, with older adults particularly vulnerable. The bill aims to protect consumers by banning these machines, which have been linked to impersonation scams by fake government or tech companies.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $400,000 from New Jersey's General Fund as a supplemental grant to the nonprofit Living for a Cause. The funds will support its "Patient Pet Food Security Wellness Program," providing pet food to pet owners in Burlington County and surrounding areas who are undergoing medical care and facing economic hardship. The program aims to reduce the financial burden of pet ownership during medical treatment and prevent pets from being surrendered to shelters. The grant is specifically designated for this existing program, which has operated since 2023.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill eliminates the 5-year statute of limitations for the state to collect income tax from taxpayers who received an erroneous refund due to a fraudulent return. Under the new law, the Division of Taxation can assess additional tax at any time if the refund resulted from a false or fraudulent return filed with intent to evade tax - aligning this treatment with the existing rule for fraudulent returns (which already has no time limit). The bill explicitly excludes cases of negligence, honest mistakes, or reliance on incorrect advice, focusing only on intentional fraud. It applies retroactively to assessments made within the 5 years preceding its enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates two new burglary offenses in New Jersey: "home invasion burglary" (a second-degree crime) and "residential burglary" (a third-degree crime). Home invasion burglary occurs when someone enters a residence without permission and either inflicts bodily injury, threatens injury, or is armed with a weapon or explosives, while residential burglary simply involves entering or remaining in a residence without permission. Offenders convicted of home invasion burglary would face mandatory 85% sentence terms without parole (subject to the No Early Release Act), while residential burglary carries a lesser penalty of 3-5 years imprisonment. The bill also allows juveniles to be waived to adult court for burglary offenses involving firearms and clarifies definitions related to residential dwellings and burglary. These changes would directly affect individuals committing burglaries in residential properties and the criminal justice system's handling of such cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4596) requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to form partnerships with businesses, community groups, healthcare providers, universities, and other stakeholders to strengthen emergency response during public health crises. The DOH must identify critical resources and at-risk populations, then establish formal partnerships to develop joint response plans, conduct shared training, and coordinate across agencies. These partnerships will focus on improving preparedness and response capabilities for future crises. The bill directly affects the DOH and the entities it partners with, aiming to create a more coordinated system without changing existing laws.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to revise its Pandemic Influenza Plan to better prepare for future large-scale flu outbreaks. The updated plan must address long-running pandemics, align with federal public health standards, clarify agency roles during emergencies, improve coordination with local health departments, establish healthcare guidelines for severe shortages, and address health equity gaps exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The DOH must seek input from the Governor’s Office, local health departments, and public health stakeholders during revisions and regularly update the plan for training exercises. The bill directly affects state emergency response systems and aims to strengthen New Jersey’s public health preparedness.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new separate criminal offense for burglary of a residential dwelling (a home or place for overnight stays), distinct from general burglary. It defines "residential dwelling" as any building primarily used as a home or adapted for overnight accommodation. The crime is classified as a third-degree offense unless the burglar causes bodily injury, uses a weapon, or enters while someone is present, in which case it becomes a second-degree offense. Penalties remain unchanged: third-degree burglary carries up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine, while second-degree carries up to ten years and a $150,000 fine. The bill aims to improve tracking of residential burglaries by establishing this specific category.