Asm. Al Barlas

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies that horse boarding charges (renting stalls in barns or stables for horses) are **not subject to New Jersey's 6.625% sales tax**. It amends the tax code to explicitly exclude "the lease or rental of a stall in a barn, stable, or similar facility for the boarding or stabling of horses" from the definition of taxable "space for storage." This directly affects **horse boarding businesses and their customers** by ensuring these services remain tax-exempt. The change removes ambiguity about whether such charges fall under the existing tax on storage services, aligning with prior exemptions for similar arrangements.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's juvenile court rules to require that juveniles accused of killing a law enforcement officer while the officer was on duty be automatically tried as adults. It applies specifically when a juvenile commits an act that would be criminal homicide (excluding vehicular manslaughter) if done by an adult, and the victim was an officer performing official duties or killed due to their law enforcement role. Courts must refer such cases to adult court without the juvenile's consent if probable cause exists, though judges may block the referral if they find the prosecutor abused their discretion. The law aims to ensure juveniles who commit violent acts against officers face adult criminal penalties.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new first-degree crime called "home invasion" for entering a residence with intent to commit certain serious offenses (like robbery or violence) when others are present, carrying a mandatory 10-30 year prison sentence. It also upgrades residential burglaries to second-degree crimes when committed with aggravating factors like presence of occupants or weapons. Additionally, the bill requires juveniles accused of home invasion or carjacking to be tried in the county where the incident occurred, rather than their residence county. These changes directly affect individuals committing these offenses and juvenile court proceedings in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryACR 29 is a New Jersey legislative resolution requesting Congress to call an Article V convention of states. The bill seeks to propose constitutional amendments that would impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit federal power and jurisdiction, and establish term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. It functions as a continuing application, meaning New Jersey's request remains active until two-thirds of states make similar requests on the same issue. This is a procedural step (not a law) to initiate a potential constitutional convention process, directly affecting New Jersey's legislative action and the broader state-level effort to influence federal governance.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires school buses transporting students with disabilities (and all school buses) to display specific information on their rear, including a school bus identification number, telephone number, website address, and other identifying details in contrasting color. The information must be displayed via a sticker designed by the Motor Vehicle Commission, allowing the public to report driver misconduct to authorities. Failure to display this information results in escalating fines ($250, $500, or $1,000 plus disqualification for repeated violations). The bill applies to all school bus operators - including school districts, nonpublic schools, and contractors - and mandates that reports of misconduct be logged, reviewed within 10 days, and investigated by the Division of State Police and Department of Education.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a 25% gross income tax deduction on hourly wages earned by qualified health care professionals working for eligible New Jersey health care entities. It directly affects licensed nurses, nurse aides, physician assistants, home health aides, and direct support professionals employed by facilities like hospitals, clinics, home care agencies, or psychiatric centers. The deduction applies to wages paid during the taxable year, reducing taxable income for these workers. The law takes effect for tax years starting after its enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's voter registration commissioner to move voters with mail-in ballots returned as undeliverable to an inactive file. If such voters fail to vote in two consecutive federal general elections, they will be removed from the statewide voter registration system and transferred to a deleted file. Voters must receive notices about their inactive status, the removal decision, and final removal. The commissioner must retain undeliverable ballots for two years. The bill directly affects voters whose mail-in ballots cannot be delivered to their current address.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Health (DOH) to create guidelines for placing bleeding control kits in state buildings and mandates all public and nonpublic K-12 schools to acquire these kits. The DOH must issue placement guidelines within 180 days, specifying that kits must include items like tourniquets, chest seals, and instructional materials, and be placed near defibrillators. Schools must ensure kits are accessible during school hours and athletic events, replacing them after each use. The kits must be stored in unlocked, clearly marked locations within reasonable proximity to defibrillators and school athletic areas.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates an additional $500,000 from the state General Fund to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) specifically for dredging and restoration of the Peckman River. It directly affects the municipalities of Cedar Grove, Little Falls, Verona, and Woodland Park, requiring them to submit a joint plan for DEP approval to receive funding. The key provisions include waiving permit fees for approved dredging activities and mandating that DEP establish an application process to distribute funds based on each municipality's proposed river restoration plan. The funding covers dredging, cleaning, and other work consistent with an existing state permit for the river.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans casino and sports wagering advertisements on any online platforms primarily intended for children under 12, including mobile apps and websites. It directly affects gambling businesses (casino and sports wagering licensees) and their advertising partners, prohibiting them from placing, sponsoring, or financing such ads on these platforms. The Division of Gaming Enforcement must create rules to enforce this ban and take legal action if violations occur. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.