Asm. Chris DePhillips

Maddy summaryAJR 47 designates January 13 of each year as "Korean American Day" in New Jersey to honor the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the U.S. on January 13, 1903. The bill requires the governor to issue an annual proclamation encouraging public observance of the day. It directly affects the Korean American community in New Jersey by formally recognizing their historical contributions and cultural impact. The resolution focuses solely on commemoration, with no new policy or funding mechanisms.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires toll road operators and bi-state agencies in New Jersey to allow drivers to choose their own towing company after being involved in an accident on their facilities. The legislation amends existing state laws to give drivers the option to select a towing service rather than having one assigned by the road operator. This change directly affects drivers who experience vehicle breakdowns or accidents on toll roads and the towing companies that provide services at these locations. The bill does not mandate specific towing companies or set pricing rules, but rather establishes the right of drivers to make their own selection when towing is necessary.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from requiring certain municipalities to adopt rules controlling tree removal and replacement. It specifically applies to Tier A municipalities under the state's stormwater program - those meeting criteria like being in urban areas with high population density, specific stormwater systems, or designated discharge points. The law stops the DEP from enforcing this requirement, which was recently added to the stormwater permit program in 2023. The change affects only Tier A municipalities, not all local governments.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows candidates for New Jersey's Senate and General Assembly who represent the same legislative district and belong to the same political party to combine their names on a single nomination petition. It directly affects state legislative candidates seeking primary or general election nominations in the same district. The key change permits these candidates to share one petition instead of requiring separate petitions, though it does not alter the required number of signatures. This simplifies the petition process for candidates running together in the same district and party, without changing other election rules.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 87) is a symbolic statement condemning hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). It formally denounces anti-AAPI racism and discrimination, citing statistics including 3,795 reported hate incidents across the U.S. between March 2020 and February 2021, with race as the primary motive in over 90% of cases. The resolution does not create new laws or policies but directs copies to state and federal officials, including the Governor, Attorney General, and New Jersey’s congressional delegation. It directly addresses AAPI communities in New Jersey (nearly 1 million residents, 10% of the state population) and nationwide, emphasizing their contributions and stating that discrimination should be "condemned by all persons of this State."

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the "Bring Veterans to New Jersey Program" within New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs. It helps employers recruit veterans by reimbursing them up to $5,000 for relocation costs, provided veterans accept jobs with participating employers and stay employed for at least 12 months. The program is administered by a contracted nonprofit, which vets veterans and matches them to employer positions. Veterans who leave before 12 months must repay the employer (and subsequently the state), but exceptions exist for involuntary separations like layoffs or family emergencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires first responder chiefs in New Jersey to report completed suicides to the Department of Health (DOH), directly affecting firefighters, EMTs, and other emergency personnel. Reports must include the suicide's date, the responder's age, salary, service length, race, gender, cause/method, veteran status, and education - without naming the individual. The DOH will aggregate this data and make it publicly available for suicide prevention research. The law applies to all paid or volunteer first responders dispatched for emergencies, including fire, ambulance, and rescue services.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "Homestead School Property Tax Reimbursement Act," would provide a 50% reimbursement for the school portion of property taxes paid by eligible seniors aged 65 or older. To qualify, applicants must own or lease a homestead (including traditional homes, mobile homes in parks, condos, or cooperatives) as their primary residence, with income limits of $35,000 in the first year, $75,000 in the second year, and no limit thereafter. The reimbursement covers half the school tax portion paid on qualifying property, excluding commercial units or secondary residences, and adjusts for existing tax reductions. The bill is currently pending before the Assembly State and Local Government Committee (introduced January 13, 2026).

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill requires public colleges and universities to cover tuition and fees for residents who are Medal of Honor or Purple Heart recipients. It applies to undergraduate students enrolled full-time at good standing, provided they have applied for all available state and federal financial aid. Recipients may take up to 16 credits per semester tuition-free for a maximum of eight semesters (four years). The policy takes effect in the first full academic year after enactment, with eligibility verified by each institution's governing board.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's seat belt law by making it a primary offense for rear seat passengers to not wear seat belts, meaning police can now stop and ticket drivers solely for this violation (instead of only when stopping for another reason). It repeals current law that treated rear seat belt non-compliance as a secondary offense. The bill also requires all state and local police departments to submit detailed reports one year after implementation, tracking traffic stops related to rear seat belt violations, including reasons for stops, citations issued, searches, and arrests. The Attorney General must then analyze this data against prior years' information to assess impacts on law enforcement practices and report findings to the governor and legislature within six months. Additionally, the state must include this information in its federal Highway Safety Plan, detailing effects on crash injuries and fatalities.