Asm. Bill Spearman

Maddy summaryThis bill redirects a portion of wine tax revenue to support New Jersey's agricultural branding program. Specifically, it requires the State Treasurer to deposit $0.21875 per gallon from taxes on wine, vermouth, and sparkling wine sales (paid by wineries) into the "Jersey Fresh Program Fund." The fund, established in 2017, will be fully appropriated annually to the Department of Agriculture to fund advertising, promotions, and quality grading for "Jersey Fresh" and related programs promoting locally grown food and products. This expands the fund beyond voluntary tax contributions to include dedicated wine tax revenue, directly supporting New Jersey farmers and consumers.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1784) requires owners of certain public spaces - like theaters, libraries, medical waiting areas, banks, restaurants, and grocery checkout zones - to install induction loop listening systems during new construction or substantial renovations costing over $40,000. These systems wirelessly transmit sound to hearing aids and cochlear implants with telecoil features, reducing background noise for people with hearing loss. Owners must also display permanent signage indicating the system’s availability and submit biennial self-certifications confirming it remains functional. Exceptions apply if a building code agency determines installation would be impractical, based on the owner’s request during permit applications.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's "Safe Storage of Firearms Act" (Bill A 3560) requires all legal firearm owners to store unloaded firearms in locked containers (like gun safes) and keep ammunition separate at their homes or premises. It repeals older laws about minors accessing firearms and mandates a $500,000 public awareness campaign by the Attorney General. Retail dealers must provide written warnings about these storage rules to customers, and courts must inform convicted violators about firearm ownership restrictions. The law directly affects firearm owners, with exceptions for active law enforcement officers and certain retail displays.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to allow drivers with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis to voluntarily indicate this on their license. Individuals who choose to indicate their diagnosis would receive two reflective, removable decals to display on their vehicle, though they may opt not to use them. The MVC may charge a fee covering only the cost of producing and distributing the decals. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who hold valid driver's licenses or ID cards. It creates a simple, voluntary mechanism for drivers to signal their diagnosis to law enforcement, without mandating decal use.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2311) modifies New Jersey's pretrial release procedures for defendants charged with firearm offenses. It allows courts to take up to seven additional days beyond the standard 48-hour deadline to consider release decisions when a prosecutor requests extra time for a firearms ballistic analysis. The provision directly affects individuals facing pretrial detention who are accused of crimes involving firearms, requiring courts to wait for this analysis before finalizing release conditions. The change ensures courts can review firearm evidence before deciding whether to release a defendant or detain them pending trial.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Caregiver's Assistance Act creates a tax credit for residents who pay for care of elderly relatives. Caregivers with income under $100,000 (or $50,000 for certain filers) can get 22.5% back on up to $3,000 annually in qualified care costs. Eligible expenses include home health services, adult day care, home modifications, and personal care assistance for qualifying seniors aged 60+ (or 50+ with disability) who meet income requirements. The credit does not apply to costs covered by insurance or government programs, and it's in addition to existing dependent deductions.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to hire a consultant to conduct a statewide assessment of recycling, composting, and reuse conditions for packaging products. It establishes a "Statewide Recycling Needs Assessment Advisory Council" within the DEP and appropriates $500,000 for the assessment. The study will evaluate current packaging recycling rates, collection systems (including curbside and drop-off), waste disposal data, and infrastructure gaps across covered entities like schools, government facilities, and residential buildings. The findings will help identify needs and gaps in the state's packaging recycling system.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create a program enabling gas public utilities to invest in renewable natural gas (RNG) infrastructure and procure RNG. It directly affects gas utilities (like gas companies) and their ratepayers (customers who pay gas bills). Key provisions require the BPU to establish a ratemaking mechanism allowing utilities to recover all prudently incurred costs - such as capital investments in RNG infrastructure, operating expenses, and RNG procurement costs - from customers through regular rate adjustments. The BPU must approve both the program and cost recovery mechanism, ensuring rates reflect actual costs while protecting ratepayers.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the State Treasurer, with input from the Environmental Protection and Agriculture secretaries, to appoint an acting executive director for the Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT) if the permanent position remains vacant for one year or more. The acting director would serve a minimum of one year at an annual cost not exceeding $150,000, bypassing standard civil service rules. The GSPT would retain full oversight authority over the acting director. This directly addresses the trust’s ongoing leadership vacuum - since July 2021 - ensuring continued management of state conservation funds and reporting on open space, farmland, and historic preservation initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A1698) allows eligible voters to register to vote on election day or during early voting at their assigned polling place or early voting site, provided they meet specific requirements. It directly affects voters who missed the standard 21-day registration deadline before an election. Key provisions require voters to provide valid ID (like a utility bill or photo ID), complete a provisional ballot affirmation statement confirming they haven't voted already, and submit the registration in person. The bill updates existing law to make same-day registration at polling locations a standard option, ensuring provisional ballots from eligible voters are counted if all requirements are met.