Asm. Chris DePhillips

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the use of fireworks on public roads, streets, alleys, or within certain proximity to properties housing or boarding horses. It directly affects residents, event organizers, and property owners in these areas by restricting where fireworks can be discharged. The key provision amends existing law to explicitly ban such use in these locations, adding to current restrictions on fireworks sales and possession. Violations are classified as disorderly persons offenses, punishable by up to six months in jail or a $1,000 fine.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey's state pension and annuity funds from investing in Chinese pharmaceutical companies or any companies with business ties to them. It defines "Chinese pharmaceutical company" as entities with over 51% ownership by China's government, citizens, or civilian-run enterprises. Funds must divest from such investments within three years of the law's effective date, with annual reports tracking progress to the legislature. The law aims to redirect state investment toward New Jersey-based pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits candidates and elected public officials in New Jersey from using campaign contributions to pay for legal defense costs related to criminal charges. It amends campaign finance law to explicitly ban using campaign funds for expenses arising from a candidate's or official's defense against violations of criminal statutes (including Title 2C offenses like bribery or official misconduct). The law clarifies that campaign contributions must only cover permitted campaign expenses, overhead, or office-related costs - not legal defense. This ensures campaign funds align with their intended purpose, as originally established by New Jersey's campaign finance regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill eliminates New Jersey's Transfer Inheritance Tax, which was imposed on beneficiaries receiving assets from a decedent's estate (based on asset value and relationship to the decedent). It repeals specific sections of state law governing the tax, including provisions that taxed "lateral" transfers (such as to siblings or nonrelatives) at rates up to 16%, while exempting transfers to spouses, ancestors, and descendants. The repeal applies to estates of decedents dying on or after July 1, 2015, meaning the tax will no longer apply to those estates. However, it does not affect taxes accrued or obligations for deaths occurring before that date.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 51) formally adopts four articles of impeachment against Robert Asaro-Angelo, the Commissioner of New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD). It cites his failure to address the state's unemployment crisis, including delaying the reopening of in-person service centers (One-Stop Career Centers), backlog of unpaid claims, and lack of timely communication. The resolution, passed by the Assembly, impeaches Asaro-Angelo and directs the Speaker to submit the articles to the New Jersey Senate for consideration. It does not create new laws but initiates the constitutional impeachment process against the commissioner.

Maddy summaryAJR 55 designates March 16 each year as "Paws Healing Heroes Day" in New Jersey to recognize service dogs that assist veterans with conditions like PTSD, traumatic brain injury, military sexual trauma, and seizure disorders. The resolution directly affects veterans, service dog organizations (such as Paws Healing Heroes in Glassboro), and the public by raising awareness of these animals' role in veteran support. Its key mechanism is an annual designation requiring the Governor to issue a proclamation encouraging public observance. This is a ceremonial resolution, not a law with funding or regulatory changes, and it takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires doctors in New Jersey to offer patients a test for dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency before starting chemotherapy. DPD deficiency can cause severe reactions when the body cannot properly process certain chemotherapy drugs. Health insurance plans in New Jersey must cover one annual DPD test and related treatment at the same level as other medical conditions. It applies to individual, group, and employer-sponsored health plans, ensuring patients aren't burdened with out-of-pocket costs for this preventive screening. The goal is to prevent harmful drug reactions by identifying at-risk patients before treatment begins.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the membership of the State Capitol Joint Management Commission, which oversees the State House Complex (where New Jersey's legislature operates). It increases legislative representation from four to eight members, with two appointed by the Senate President, two by the Assembly Speaker, two by the Senate Minority Leader, and two by the Assembly Minority Leader. The four executive branch members (Director of Budget and Accounting, General Services Administrator, and two appointed by the Governor) will become non-voting and form a separate subcommittee. The change aims to balance decision-making as executive officials have used the complex less due to the pandemic and construction.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases New Jersey's research tax credit for corporations. It raises the credit rate for qualified research expenses from 10% to 15% for companies primarily operating in targeted industries like clean energy, life sciences, advanced transportation, and information technology. It also increases the basic research payments credit from 10% to 15% for all corporations. Most significantly, it makes the research tax credit refundable - allowing corporations to receive cash refunds for unused credit amounts instead of only carrying them forward for future tax years. The bill applies to privilege periods beginning on or after its effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a 2018 surtax on non-public utility businesses with over $1 million in taxable net income. It eliminates the 2.5% surtax rate for 2018-2019 and the 1.5% rate for 2020-2021, removing this tax obligation for qualifying businesses. The repeal applies to all future tax periods starting January 1, 2019, and takes effect immediately. This directly affects businesses subject to New Jersey’s Corporation Business Tax that previously paid this additional surcharge.