Asm. Chris DePhillips

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a tax credit program for New Jersey companies that fund student loan assistance. Companies contributing at least $10,000 to the "New Jersey Talent Retention Loan Fund" receive a 50% tax credit against state taxes, with an additional 50% credit over time if they hire graduates. The fund provides loans to eligible in-state students attending New Jersey colleges, requiring participants to work for the contributing company for up to four years after graduation to have their student debt partially repaid. The program directly affects participating companies (through tax incentives), students (through loan access), and the state (via fund administration under the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority).

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 32) creates a temporary, bipartisan committee to study New Jersey's historical claims to Staten Island. The 12-member committee - six appointed by the Assembly Speaker and six by the Minority Leader - will investigate colonial land grants, the 1834 boundary compact, and relevant legal history to explore potential annexation pathways. It will examine lawful options for New Jersey to pursue annexation, but only with consent from Staten Island residents, New York State, and the U.S. Congress. The committee will produce a final report and expire upon completion of its work. This is purely an investigative measure with no immediate policy impact.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an 18-month mandatory prison term (with no parole eligibility during this period) for a second or subsequent offense involving an adult (18+ years) who knowingly uses, hires, or directs a juvenile (17 or younger) to commit automobile theft. It directly affects adults who exploit minors in car theft crimes, adding a strict penalty on top of existing second-degree crime charges. The law explicitly states that mistakenly believing the minor was older than 17 is not a valid defense. This change applies only to repeat offenses, leaving first-time penalties unchanged under current law.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A-1434) mandates that New Jersey's Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) reopen all state unemployment offices by March 1, 2022, and keep them open during the public health emergency. It directly affects the DOLWD commissioner and senior leadership, who face salary cuts (5% every two weeks for the first month, then 10% monthly) if offices remain closed past the deadline. Funds from these salary reductions will go into a new "Unemployed Workers Compensation Fund." The bill requires a report on compliance within 90 days and expires once all offices reopen.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 2694) appropriates $12 million from the New Jersey General Fund to the Village of Ridgewood for drinking water infrastructure improvements specifically addressing per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) pollution. The funding directly affects Ridgewood Water, a public water system serving over 60,000 residents across Ridgewood, Midland Park, Glen Rock, and Wyckoff. The key mechanism is a supplemental state appropriation to cover costs that would otherwise require significant rate increases for residents. The bill aims to prevent these rate hikes by providing direct financial support for PFAS-related infrastructure upgrades.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes mandatory ethics and financial oversight requirements for New Jersey's independent state authorities (such as boards, commissions, and agencies operating outside main departments). It requires annual training for authority members on government ethics and fiscal practices (including federal Sarbanes-Oxley rules), with executive directors certifying completion annually. The Inspector General must assess internal controls and recommend uniform practices, while authorities must certify compliance with existing ethics rules (Executive Orders 10, 122, and 134) regarding audits, vendor contributions, and dual roles. Failure to comply may lead to removal from office or employment.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to create a program providing one-time grants of up to $10,000 to qualified veterans purchasing franchises in the state. It directly affects veterans who are approved by the EDA and operating or planning to operate a franchise at a New Jersey location. Key provisions include the EDA establishing application procedures, prioritizing veterans who apply within six months of the bill's effective date, and requiring grantees to report how they used the funds within one year. The program aims to support veteran entrepreneurs by reducing startup costs for franchise ownership.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes New Jersey's tax code to exclude certain retirement savings contributions from taxable gross income. It directly affects New Jersey residents who contribute to qualifying retirement plans, such as 401(k)s or IRAs, by reducing their taxable income for state tax purposes. The key provision amends the definition of "gross income" to specify that contributions to these plans are not counted toward taxable earnings. As a result, taxpayers would pay less state income tax on the amounts they save for retirement through these qualified plans. The bill is currently in the introduction stage (2026-01-13) and has not yet been voted on.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $10 million from the General Fund to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (DOT) for installing highway guard rail along Route 208 in specific areas of Franklin Lakes, Wyckoff, Hawthorne, Glen Rock, Fair Lawn, and Oakland. It directly affects motorists and residents whose properties border Route 208 in sections lacking guard rail, aiming to improve safety. The key provision is the targeted funding for guard rail installation where needed, with the DOT exempt from standard design manual guidelines for this project. The bill creates a concrete policy change by allocating dedicated funds for this specific infrastructure safety upgrade.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill establishes the "Parents Bill of Rights Act," granting parents and guardians specific rights regarding their child's education in public schools. It requires schools to provide parents with a curriculum summary, allow them to review classroom materials (including textbooks and media), and permits opting children out of any curriculum conflicting with the parent's moral or religious beliefs - without academic penalties for the student. The bill prohibits school districts from interfering with these rights or denying parent requests for educational information. It directly affects all parents/guardians of students enrolled in New Jersey public schools. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.