Asm. Al Barlas

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey county election boards to have bipartisan representation from both major political parties when opening and canvassing mail-in ballots. It mandates secure storage of mail-in ballots using specific security measures like dual-key locks requiring both party officials' keys, video surveillance, or access logs. The bill also upgrades penalties for election-related crimes, increasing punishments for offenses like voting twice, altering ballots, or destroying election materials from third-degree to second-degree felonies. These changes directly affect county election boards, election officials, and voters by establishing new procedures for mail-in ballot processing and strengthening election security. The bill aims to enhance transparency and security in mail-in ballot handling while increasing consequences for election fraud.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates a 2.5% surtax called the "Corporate Transit Fee" that applied to corporations with New Jersey taxable income exceeding $10 million during 2024-2028. It directly affects large corporations meeting this income threshold, removing their obligation to pay this fee for all future privilege periods after enactment. The bill repeals the existing law (P.L.2024, c.20) that required the fee and mandated its revenue fund New Jersey Transit's operating costs and capital projects. Effective immediately upon enactment, qualifying corporations will no longer pay this surtax.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits casino and sports wagering companies from placing online ads for gambling on platforms primarily designed for children under 12, including mobile apps and websites. It directly affects licensed casino and sports betting businesses, their employees, and contracted operators in New Jersey. The law bans posting, distributing, or financing such ads on these child-focused platforms, and requires the Division of Gaming Enforcement to create rules and enforce the ban. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

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 summaryThis bill provides a 25% gross income tax deduction for K-12 teachers in New Jersey. It directly affects teachers employed by public school districts, charter schools, Renaissance school projects, or qualifying nonpublic schools. The deduction reduces taxable income by 25% of the wages paid by these employers during the tax year. The policy applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows retired teachers who left the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF) to return to teaching for up to two school years without needing to rejoin TPAF. It requires school boards to prove they searched for other qualified candidates and hired the retired teacher as the only available option, with salaries capped at 40-70% of the median teacher pay. Retired teachers rehired under this law also receive gross income tax relief: 50% of their rehired salary is deductible, and the remaining amount is taxed at a flat 1.4% rate (regardless of filing status). The bill specifically applies to teachers who retired "bona fide" and did not prearrange their return before retirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill enters New Jersey into a compact with Delaware to adjust their shared territorial boundary. It specifically transfers ownership of two river-adjacent parcels - Artificial Island and Finns Point - from Delaware to New Jersey, as these lands physically connect to New Jersey but were historically assigned to Delaware under a 1682 boundary description. The compact establishes a joint commission of surveyors from both states to redefine the boundary, while preserving Delaware’s control of the Delaware River up to the low-water mark. Implementation requires Delaware’s similar legislation and congressional approval, with disputes to be resolved in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution, not a policy bill. It honors the late Congressman William J. Pascrell, Jr. (who served in Congress from 1997 until his death in 2024), specifically recognizing his founding role in the Congressional Brain Injury Task Force. The resolution urges New Jersey's current and future U.S. Congress members to join and support this bipartisan task force, which focuses on advancing brain injury awareness, research, and policy. It has no effect on laws or funding - it is purely a commemorative statement.