Asm. Al Barlas

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's assault laws to specifically address assaults on people with disabilities. It defines a "person with a disability" as someone with a pre-existing medically determinable physical or mental impairment that substantially limits their ability to resist, including those determined disabled under federal Social Security or similar programs. Under the bill, causing bodily injury to such a person would be upgraded to aggravated assault, classified as a third-degree crime with a mandatory minimum 3-year prison sentence. The bill was prompted by the 2006 assault of Joey Damiano, a Trenton man with an intellectual disability, and would directly affect anyone committing assault against a person with a disability in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $2,000 tax exemption for New Jersey volunteer firefighters, first aid, and rescue squad members who meet specific service and training requirements. To qualify, firefighters must serve the entire year, respond to at least 60% of fire alarms and drills, and hold Firefighter I certification; rescue and first aid members must respond to at least 10% of rescue alarms and drills and have approved training or EMT certification. Volunteer organizations must submit annual lists of eligible members to the state for verification by March 31. The exemption applies to taxable years starting after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits courts from imposing a "builder's remedy" in lawsuits challenging exclusionary zoning laws. It directly affects municipalities facing housing litigation and developers who previously sought this remedy. The key provision bans court orders requiring municipalities to use zoning tactics (like density bonuses) that prioritize market-rate housing development over affordable units. Instead, if a court finds a municipality failed to provide reasonable opportunities for affordable housing, it must choose an alternative remedy. The bill aims to shift focus from litigation-driven market-rate development toward other solutions for addressing affordable housing needs.

Maddy summaryThis bill gradually reduces New Jersey's Corporation Business Tax (CBT) rate for businesses operating in the state. It lowers the rate from 9% to 2.5% over time, with specific reductions: 7% for 2021, 5% for 2022, 3% for 2023, and 2.5% for 2024 and beyond. The bill also provides accelerated reductions for smaller businesses, lowering the tax rate for those with less than $100,000 in income to 3.5% in 2021 and 2.5% starting in 2022. The tax rate applies to taxable net income for businesses with privilege periods ending on or after July 31, 2019.

Maddy summaryThis bill would appropriate $2.9 billion in state funding to ensure school districts receive aid equal to their "adequacy budget" as determined under New Jersey's School Funding Reform Act. It requires districts that receive increased state aid to reduce their property tax levies by the same amount, with specific provisions for districts where property taxes exceed 5% of district income. The bill also provides additional aid to districts that experienced funding cuts between 2018-2023 and repeals certain laws that contributed to reduced state aid and higher property taxes. The policy aims to align school funding with constitutional requirements for a "thorough and efficient" education system while reducing property tax burdens on residents.

Maddy summaryACR 47 proposes a constitutional amendment to change how New Jersey municipalities calculate their affordable housing obligations. Currently, these obligations are based on regional housing needs; this amendment would require the Legislature to establish a single statewide calculation for all affordable housing needs instead. Municipalities would no longer need to meet regional targets but would instead be bound by a statewide requirement for affordable housing units. The amendment would take effect only if approved by voters in the next general election following legislative passage.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A968) allows municipalities to challenge COAH (Council on Affordable Housing) orders requiring non-redevelopment housing projects on undeveloped land, unless the order addresses exclusionary zoning practices in that municipality. It excludes flood-prone land from affordable housing vacant land analysis, meaning land below flood elevation standards or within 100 feet of certain water bodies cannot be counted toward housing requirements. The bill caps a municipality's affordable housing obligation at a 5% population increase over a 10-year period, replacing the previous 1,000-unit limit. These provisions aim to balance housing needs with municipal planning considerations and environmental protections. The Department of Environmental Protection must develop rules for identifying flood-prone lands within seven months of enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) to calculate each municipality's affordable housing obligations on a statewide basis, rather than using local or regional methods. It mandates that COAH produce a report every five years analyzing the ratio of median home maintenance costs (including property taxes, mortgage, insurance, and utilities) to statewide median household income. This report will update the statewide calculation method used to determine housing obligations. The change directly affects all municipalities required to meet New Jersey's affordable housing goals under state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how New Jersey municipalities calculate their affordable housing requirements. It adds specific factors for adjusting these requirements, including population size, water and sewer capacity, school class sizes, public safety services, and transportation impacts. The bill also establishes a population-based cap, limiting affordable housing obligations to no more than a 5% increase in municipal population over a 10-year period. This applies to all municipalities required to meet fair share affordable housing obligations under state law, aiming to balance housing needs with local service capacity.

Maddy summaryACR 46 proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit exclusionary zoning practices that block affordable housing development for low- and moderate-income residents. It directly affects New Jersey municipalities by banning zoning rules (like single-family-only restrictions) that prevent diverse housing options, without requiring towns to build affordable units themselves. The amendment clarifies that municipalities cannot use exclusionary zoning but also removes any obligation to construct or fund housing, ending lawsuits that previously forced specific housing projects. This change aims to resolve longstanding legal disputes over housing access while maintaining the state's commitment to non-discriminatory zoning. The amendment requires voter approval at the next general election.