Asm. Andrea Katz

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies New Jersey's Farmland Assessment Act of 1964 by stating that land taxed at agricultural rates will not trigger additional "roll-back" taxes if farming stops due to retirement, disability, or similar reasons - without actively converting the land to non-farming use (like building homes or commercial sites). Roll-back taxes, which equal the difference between the lower farmland tax rate and the standard rate for non-farm land, are only required when the land is actively changed to non-agricultural purposes. The bill also maintains existing exemptions for land acquired by government or conservation groups for parks and recreation. This update aligns with a 1981 court ruling that deemed it unfair to penalize farmers who cease farming without altering land use.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A5089) changes eligibility for New Jersey's homestead property tax rebates and ANCHOR program benefits. It requires recipients to be state residents during the calendar year the benefit is paid - not just during the tax year for which the benefit is issued. Currently, residency is only required for the tax year (e.g., 2023 taxes paid in 2024), but this bill adds a requirement that recipients must still live in New Jersey when the rebate is disbursed. It directly affects homeowners who move out of state after paying property taxes but before receiving their rebate. The change applies to both standard homestead rebates and the ANCHOR program, effective January 1 following enactment.

Maddy summaryAJR 207 is a New Jersey legislative resolution urging Congress to call a constitutional convention to consider amending the U.S. Constitution. It specifically seeks to establish a national standard for reproductive health care rights, including access to contraception, abortion, and pregnancy decisions, to replace the current patchwork of state laws following the *Dobbs* decision. The resolution requests Congress convene a convention - requiring two-thirds approval in both chambers - to propose such an amendment, which would then need ratification by 38 states. As a procedural resolution, it does not create law but formally requests federal action to address disparities in reproductive care access.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a New Jersey Tuition Reimbursement Program for special education teachers. It provides reimbursement for up to 100% of eligible tuition costs (after other grants/scholarships) for teachers pursuing a master's degree or certification in special education. To qualify, applicants must be NJ residents, hold a valid teaching certificate, enroll in an approved program, and agree to teach special education in a NJ public school for four years after completing their degree. Teachers must also meet performance standards, including maintaining residency, certification, and satisfactory teaching evaluations. Failure to complete the four-year commitment requires full repayment of the reimbursement to the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A4626) requires construction permit applicants in New Jersey to disclose the anticipated funding sources and amounts for their projects. It directly affects developers and contractors applying for construction permits by mandating this financial transparency in their initial applications. The bill also requires applicants to certify or update this funding information before receiving a certificate of occupancy. The Commissioner of Community Affairs must develop implementing rules within 180 days of the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's Family Leave Act and Temporary Disability Benefits Law to provide protected bereavement leave for employees experiencing the death of a child, miscarriage, stillbirth, unsuccessful adoption, or failed fertility treatments. It allows up to 21 days of leave for circumstances where employees wouldn't otherwise qualify for leave or benefits, or up to 7 days for circumstances where they would qualify for other leave. The leave is available to employees who are biological parents, adoptive parents, or parents through a gestational carrier agreement, as well as to their spouses, domestic partners, or civil union partners. Employers with 30 or more employees must provide this leave under the amended laws, which applies to all eligible employees in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey employers with 10+ employees to publicly disclose salary ranges and benefits details in all job postings for promotions, new roles, and transfers. It also mandates that employers announce promotion opportunities internally to all current employees in the relevant department before making decisions, unless promotions are based solely on experience or performance. Employers who fail to comply face escalating fines: $1,000 for the first violation, $5,000 for the second, and $10,000 for each subsequent violation. Temporary staffing firms are exempt from posting pay details for future openings but must provide this information at the time of interview or hire.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare providers to help pregnant patients create personalized postpartum care plans during prenatal visits. It mandates that plans include specific elements like care team contacts, breastfeeding guidance, mental health support for postpartum depression, and management strategies for physical complications. Hospitals must also provide standardized discharge information covering warning signs of postpartum complications (such as severe bleeding, high blood pressure, and infection) before patients leave after childbirth, pregnancy loss, or stillbirth. The law directly affects pregnant people in New Jersey receiving maternity care, aiming to address preventable maternal health issues and reduce disparities in maternal mortality rates.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $3 million from the General Fund to provide one-time bonus awards to State workers in Local 195 of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers who provided essential frontline service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds will be distributed by State agencies in consultation with the union president, with each eligible employee receiving a direct bonus payment. It specifically targets workers who maintained critical state operations amid pandemic challenges. The appropriation is supplemental to existing 2024-2025 funding and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates the Stay NJ property tax credit program, providing eligible senior citizens (65+ years old) with a property tax credit equal to 50% of their property tax bill, up to a maximum of $6,500 for tax year 2026 (with annual adjustments based on property tax increases). The program targets New Jersey residents with annual income under $500,000 who own or rent their principal residence as a homestead. Eligible claimants will receive the greater of the Stay NJ credit or the combined ANCHOR rebate and homestead property tax reimbursement, with a single application process to replace current multiple programs. The credit will be implemented starting in 2026, with applications accepted February 1 through October 31 each year.