Asm. Carol Murphy

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes New Jersey to issue special license plates featuring the U.S. Coast Guard seal for active or honorably separated Coast Guard members, their spouses, parents, or principal business owners. Applicants pay a $50 one-time fee and a $10 annual fee, with all fees deposited into a dedicated "Coast Guard License Plate Fund" that annually appropriates money to the Coast Guard. The plates must display the Coast Guard emblem, and the design is developed jointly with the Coast Guard, covering administrative costs through the fund. The program is procedural, focusing on recognition and funding for the Coast Guard through license plate fees, not broader policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to expand New Jersey's homestead property tax rebate program. It would allow honorably discharged veterans who served in wartime or emergencies, plus their unmarried surviving spouses (including spouses of veterans who died while on active duty), to receive the same larger rebate currently available to seniors (65+) and disabled residents. The change would extend eligibility to approximately 330,000 veterans and surviving spouses who currently qualify only for a $50 property tax deduction. The amendment requires voter approval before implementing this expanded rebate program.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's bill A 954, the "Sexual Assault Evidence Submission Act," requires law enforcement agencies to submit sexual assault forensic evidence (commonly called a "rape kit") to a designated lab within 10 business days of receipt. It mandates that labs analyze the evidence within six months of receipt, if staffing and resources allow, and establishes deadlines for agencies to report unsubmitted backlog cases (within 45 days) and arrange submission of past cases (within 180 days). Agencies must also submit a detailed analysis plan to state leaders within 120 days, including resource needs. Violations by officers incur civil penalties ($1,000-$5,000 per incident), though reasonable efforts to comply are exempt. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies and forensic labs handling sexual assault cases in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A3405 requires the Department of Transportation to adopt a complete streets policy for all new and rebuilt highway and public transit projects, ensuring safe access for all users including people with disabilities. It specifically mandates that projects consider the needs of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and those with intellectual or developmental disabilities to enable independent travel. The policy requires the DOT to develop universal design concepts and implementation guidance for these accessibility features in all planning, construction, and maintenance activities.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes clear procedures for accessing a deceased person's safe-deposit box to locate their original will or burial documents. It allows "interested persons" (such as spouses, adult children, parents, or named executors) to request access by providing a copy of the death certificate and an affidavit stating their interest in the will or burial arrangements. The bank or financial institution (the "lessor") must then open the box in their presence, remove only the will or burial documents, and send the original to the county Surrogate by certified mail, while providing a photocopy to the requester. The bill does not permit access if a court order exists, a valid objection is raised, or the box's key is unavailable.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to create a free website connecting eligible businesses and organizations with suppliers for their specific needs. It directly affects entities in tech and science sectors like biotechnology, renewable energy, and advanced computing - such as businesses, research facilities, and nonprofits - that can post needs (e.g., equipment, labor, space) and find matching suppliers. The website must also list public and private funding sources, including state/federal grants, to help these entities access resources. The EDA must develop and maintain this tool, prioritizing the needs of these eligible groups. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises the structure and responsibilities of New Jersey's Advisory Graduate Medical Education Council. It directs the Council to report directly to the Department of Health (instead of the Commission on Higher Education) and expands its duties to develop a five-year strategic plan, create an annual funding guide for stakeholders, coordinate with federal programs like rural residency initiatives, and establish metrics to measure workforce outcomes. The Council must now annually report to the Governor and Legislature on medical workforce needs, funding allocations across hospitals (by specialty and location), whether funding achieves health outcomes, and recommendations for addressing shortages in underserved areas. This affects hospitals receiving graduate medical education funding and state health policymakers who use the Council's reports to guide budget decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill redirects 50% of existing revenue from two specific taxes on high-value real estate transactions to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. It applies to sellers of residential, commercial, farm, or cooperative properties sold for over $1 million, as well as certain commercial property transfers involving controlling interests exceeding $1 million. Currently, these revenues go to the General Fund; this bill mandates that half be instead deposited annually into the housing trust fund to support affordable housing programs. The change would take effect July 1 following enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a supplemental appropriation of $144.2 million in state funds to New Jersey's 13 public four-year universities, including Rutgers campuses, NJIT, Rowan, and others. It adds to existing "Outcomes-Based Allocation" funding by tying disbursements to specific measurable outcomes, such as degrees awarded, diversity metrics, STEM healthcare degrees, and enrollment from low-income students. The funds are distributed directly to each institution based on their performance against these state-defined metrics. This is a funding mechanism, not a policy change, and affects all 13 participating public universities in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey telecommunications companies to automatically provide prorated bill credits or refunds to customers experiencing service outages lasting more than 72 hours. It directly affects all telecom providers regulated by the state board, including traditional phone services and VoIP providers, and their customers. The key mechanism mandates that companies adjust bills proportionally for the outage duration without requiring customers to request the refund. The law specifies that refunds must be applied automatically to the next billing cycle, with no customer action needed. This applies to both local exchange carriers and interexchange telecommunications companies providing regulated services.