Asm. Chris DePhillips

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the Division of Unemployment Insurance (DUI) within the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The audit must examine how the division uses federal and state funds, whether staffing levels meet its legal duties, the efficiency of its operations (especially during emergencies), and evaluate its IT system's replacement costs. The State Auditor must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature within 90 days of the bill's effective date. The audit directly affects the DUI division's operations and compliance, with findings potentially guiding future resource allocation and system improvements.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Division of Highway Traffic Safety to launch a public awareness campaign focused on bicycle and pedestrian safety. The campaign will educate the public about current laws, including rules for bicyclists (such as riding on the right side of the road) and motorists (such as safely passing pedestrians and cyclists), along with penalties for violations. It specifically references two existing laws: a 1951 statute on bicyclist positioning and a 2021 law on safe passing practices. The bill does not create new laws but mandates the dissemination of existing safety regulations to inform the public.

Maddy summaryACR 58 proposes a constitutional amendment to increase New Jersey's veterans' property tax deduction from $250 to $2,500 over four years. It would raise the annual deduction to $1,000 in 2024, $1,500 in 2025, $2,000 in 2026, and $2,500 starting in 2027, with the amount remaining at $2,500 annually thereafter. This change directly affects honorably discharged veterans and their surviving spouses, who qualify for the deduction on real and personal property taxes. The amendment requires voter approval after legislative passage to take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires motor vehicle inspection facilities and the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to notify owners about active safety recalls during vehicle inspections and registration. It mandates that owners must have all open recalls repaired before their next registration renewal, with the MVC denying renewal applications for unaddressed recalls. The MVC must extend registration for up to six months if repair parts are unavailable or if the owner faces hardship beyond their control. The bill does not include manufacturer fee requirements in its detailed provisions, though the title mentions this; the focus is solely on notification and repair compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the treatment, discharge, disposal, application to roadways, or storage of wastewater, sludge, drill cuttings, or other byproducts from hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for natural gas exploration or production within New Jersey. It applies to all such materials regardless of where the fracking occurred, targeting contaminants like heavy metals, radioactive materials, and chemicals that risk contaminating water supplies and overwhelming wastewater treatment systems. The law bans these activities immediately upon enactment, aiming to prevent environmental harm and health risks associated with fracking waste. It directly affects natural gas companies and waste handlers operating in New Jersey who manage fracking byproducts.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax deduction for New Jersey educators and school aides. Full-time educators and paraprofessionals (school aides) receive a $500 deduction from gross income, while part-time workers get $350. Full-time status requires at least 25 hours per week of employment. The deduction applies to teachers in public schools, charter schools, and other approved educational settings, including nonpublic schools for students with disabilities.

Maddy summaryAJR 36 establishes the "New Jersey Domestic Violence and Legal Access Task Force" to study how lack of legal representation affects people in domestic violence cases. The task force, made up of 16 members including victims, legal experts, and court officials, will examine unmet legal needs and recommend solutions to improve access to counsel. It will specifically focus on how the absence of lawyers impacts both victims seeking protection (like restraining orders) and defendants facing allegations. The task force must submit a report with recommendations within 18 months, including ways to increase legal aid access and encourage pro bono services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to teach students in grades 6-12 about the dangers of e-cigarettes as part of their health education curriculum. The instruction must cover nicotine content in e-cigarettes, how use can lead to addiction to tobacco or other drugs, health risks from chemicals like formaldehyde, and the state's ban on e-cigarettes at school under the Smoke-Free Air Act. School districts must integrate this content into existing health education standards, and the Commissioner of Education will provide sample lesson materials to support implementation. The bill directly affects all New Jersey public schools and students in the specified grades.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding Assembly Resolution (AR 49) condemns hate crimes targeting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), citing a 2020-2021 surge in reported incidents (3,795 nationwide, 90% race-motivated). It directly addresses AAPI communities in New Jersey (nearly 1 million residents) and highlights their economic contributions and frontline pandemic roles. The resolution formally denounces all anti-AAPI racism and sends copies to state/federal officials, including the Governor, Attorney General, and congressional representatives. It serves as a symbolic statement of support without creating new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill bans the sale of flavored cigarettes (including menthol, which was previously exempt), non-premium cigars, and oral nicotine pouches in New Jersey. It defines "flavored" as any added taste or aroma (like fruit, mint, or chocolate) that makes a product taste or smell other than tobacco, excluding naturally occurring flavors without added flavorings. Retailers who sell these products face civil penalties starting at $250 for the first violation, increasing to $1,000 for third and subsequent offenses. Repeat violations may also lead to suspension or revocation of a retailer's tobacco sales license.