Asm. Al Barlas

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 173) is a non-binding request urging the federal government to investigate unidentified drone sightings reported across New Jersey. It directly addresses federal agencies (like the FAA, Defense, and Homeland Security departments) and asks them to conduct a thorough investigation into drone activity near critical infrastructure, military sites, and residential areas. The resolution cites over a dozen counties reporting nightly drone flights, including near President-elect Trump’s property, and emphasizes that local officials and residents feel these sightings pose security concerns despite federal claims of no verified threat. It does not create new laws or regulations but formally requests federal action to address public safety worries.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides an additional $500,000 in state funding to New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) for its Huntington's Disease Grant Program. The funds directly support approximately 900-1,200 New Jersey residents living with Huntington's disease and 7,000 at-risk individuals by covering pre-symptomatic testing, neurology/psychiatry services, counseling, and disease management through grants to eligible institutions. The supplemental appropriation raises the program's total FY2023 funding from an estimated $200,437 to $700,437. It does not change eligibility criteria but increases available resources for existing services. The bill is a straightforward funding measure with no new requirements or procedural changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5148) allows 12th-grade students in New Jersey public schools to have excused absences for military enlistment activities without penalty. It directly affects students planning to join the U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard, covering required activities like testing, medical evaluations, interviews, and fingerprinting. The absence is recorded as excused on attendance records, does not appear on transcripts or employment forms, and is excluded from perfect attendance calculations. Schools may require documentation to verify the student's eligibility under this provision. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school bus personnel transporting students with disabilities to call 911 in potential life-threatening emergencies and report these calls to the Office of Special Education. It mandates that school buses carrying students with disabilities be equipped with interior video cameras, real-time GPS tracking, and two-way communication devices. The bill expands training requirements for school bus personnel to include recognizing and responding to potential life-threatening emergencies involving students with disabilities. School bus contractors and school districts that fail to comply face civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation, and video footage and GPS data must be retained for at least 180 days.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (AR 170) expresses New Jersey's opposition to New York's congestion pricing plan, which would charge drivers $9 to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street starting January 5, 2025 (rising to $12 in 2028 and $15 in 2031). It directly affects New Jersey commuters who drive into Manhattan, as they would pay these tolls without having input in the plan's design. The resolution states New Jersey officials believe the plan undermines longstanding regional transportation collaboration and fails to benefit New Jersey transit services like NJ Transit or PATH. As a symbolic resolution, it has no legal effect but will be sent to federal and state officials to formally record New Jersey's position.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare providers to help pregnant patients create personalized postpartum care plans during prenatal visits. It mandates that plans include specific elements like care team contacts, breastfeeding guidance, mental health support for postpartum depression, and management strategies for physical complications. Hospitals must also provide standardized discharge information covering warning signs of postpartum complications (such as severe bleeding, high blood pressure, and infection) before patients leave after childbirth, pregnancy loss, or stillbirth. The law directly affects pregnant people in New Jersey receiving maternity care, aiming to address preventable maternal health issues and reduce disparities in maternal mortality rates.

Maddy summaryAR 167 establishes a 12-member Assembly Select Committee on Ballot Design in New Jersey. The committee, with six members appointed by the Speaker and six by the Minority Leader, will review studies, court decisions, and best practices related to primary and general election ballot design. Its sole purpose is to examine ballot design research to inform future election administration in the state. The committee will expire upon completion of its work and has no authority to change election laws or voting procedures.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill would exclude tips earned from gross income tax calculations. Currently, tips are considered taxable income under state law, but this bill would remove them from the definition of gross income for tax purposes. The change would directly affect service industry workers who receive tips, making those earnings non-taxable for state income tax. The bill specifically amends tax code sections to treat tips as "property acquired by gift" rather than taxable income.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the threshold for a one percent tax on certain real estate transfers in New Jersey from $1 million to $1.5 million, with future adjustments based on inflation. The tax currently applies to residential, commercial, and certain farm properties when sold for more than $1 million, as well as to transfers of controlling interests in entities owning commercial property. The threshold will be adjusted annually using the Consumer Price Index for New York City and Philadelphia metropolitan areas, as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor. The Director of the Division of Taxation will determine and publish the adjusted threshold by May 1 each year.

Maddy summaryACR 145 proposes a constitutional amendment to adjust New Jersey's veterans' property tax deduction annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Currently fixed at $250 since 2003, the deduction would be increased for tax year 2026 by the cumulative CPI growth from 2003-2025, then adjusted each year thereafter using the annual CPI change. The deduction would round up to the next dollar and never decrease, even if inflation drops. This directly affects honorably discharged veterans, their surviving spouses, and qualifying residents owning property in New Jersey who currently receive the $250 deduction.