Asm. Bill Spearman

Maddy summaryThis bill increases annual payments from New Jersey's Energy Tax Receipts Property Tax Relief Fund to municipalities by $15 million (from $740 million to $755 million) over two years. It directly affects most municipalities (excluding those with a municipal purposes tax rate of $0.10 or less per $100) by requiring them to subtract this additional aid from their property tax levies. The bill also prohibits municipalities from anticipating certain revenue when creating annual budgets. These changes aim to provide more direct property tax relief to local governments through the existing fund, which receives energy-related tax revenues.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey municipalities to revoke plenary retail consumption licenses (for on-premises alcohol sales) that have been inactive for five years and reissue them via public sale. It directly affects license holders who let their licenses sit unused and all municipalities, replacing the previous two-year inactivity rule. Key provisions include extending the inactivity period from two to five years, removing the requirement that only certain municipalities (in urban enterprise zones) could handle such licenses, and repealing a prior law that limited this process. Exceptions apply if a licensee files an affidavit showing good faith efforts to resume operations after events like fire or eminent domain, with affidavits needing renewal every two years.

Maddy summaryBill A 2514 expands eligibility for state soil and water conservation grants to include potable water well construction projects on preserved farmland. It directly affects farmers enrolled in municipal farmland preservation programs or holding development easements on their land. The bill adds water well construction to the existing list of eligible projects (like irrigation systems and erosion control), allowing landowners to apply for grants through local soil conservation districts. To qualify, projects must be part of a farmland conservation plan and the land must be within a preservation program or subject to a development easement.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A 3859) creates a public online tool allowing individuals to check if they have an outstanding arrest warrant. The system, managed by the state courts, lets users voluntarily enter personal details via the judiciary website to verify warrant status. If a warrant is found, the tool provides details about the charge, the responsible law enforcement agency, and steps to resolve it (like paying fines or scheduling court appearances). The bill aims to help people learn about warrants before being arrested, which often happens without their knowledge. The system must interface with existing court databases and include security features developed with state police and IT experts.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Commission on Poverty Elimination and Economic Security to study and address intergenerational poverty - the cycle where poverty persists across multiple family generations. The commission will develop a strategic plan using a "two-generation approach," focusing on simultaneous support for parents and children to improve economic security. It defines key terms like "intergenerational poverty" (distinct from temporary hardship) and requires measuring poverty through non-income factors such as housing, health care access, and the digital divide. The bill creates the framework for future policy action but does not allocate direct funding or mandate specific programs.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A 2513 requires school meal providers (including school districts and contracted food service companies) to prioritize purchasing food from farms or food producers located within New Jersey state borders or within 100 miles of the school. This applies to all schools participating in federal school meal programs like the National School Lunch Program. The law mandates that at least 20% of food purchased for school meals must come from these local sources, aiming to support regional agriculture. The bill amends existing school meal procurement rules to establish this geographic preference requirement.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement benefits of members in New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS). It directly affects current and future retirees who are members of this system, restoring annual benefit increases tied to inflation. The key provision amends existing law to allow the retirement system's board of trustees to reinstate these automatic COLAs without requiring additional contributions from members, provided actuarial certification confirms the change won't harm the fund's long-term stability. The bill does not create new benefits but returns a previously reduced feature of the retirement system.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A3352) requires courts to provide counseling services for children in domestic violence cases and establishes that custody must generally be awarded to the domestic violence victim in appropriate cases. It mandates courts to advise victims and children about counseling services, allows emergency protective orders including firearm restrictions, and ensures temporary orders can be issued quickly without the victim's physical presence. The bill directly affects domestic violence victims, their children, and courts handling family cases, focusing on immediate safety and long-term support. It amends existing law to prioritize victim safety and child welfare in custody determinations.

Maddy summaryThe New Jersey Works Act creates a tax credit for businesses that fund pre-employment training programs targeting low- and moderate-income individuals for jobs in high-demand occupations. These programs must provide at least 12 weeks of paid training at minimum wage, covering skills like communication, job readiness, and career-specific instruction. The bill appropriates $1 million to support the initiative and requires training programs to be approved by the state, partner with schools or nonprofits, and exclude construction businesses. It directly affects qualifying businesses, educational institutions, and job seekers in targeted regions seeking career advancement opportunities.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a $2,000 deduction from New Jersey gross income tax for eligible volunteer firefighters, first aid squad members, and rescue squad volunteers. To qualify, individuals must serve the entire tax year, meet specific duty requirements (60% fire service attendance or 400 duty hours for fire volunteers; 10% rescue service attendance or 400 duty hours for first aid/rescue volunteers), and hold required certifications (Firefighter I for fire volunteers or approved EMS training for rescue volunteers). Fire departments and first aid/rescue squads must submit annual lists of qualifying members to state agencies by March 31st. The deduction applies to taxable years beginning after the bill's enactment date.