Asm. Andrea Katz

Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination to explicitly protect individuals from discrimination based on membership in a labor organization. It expands the definition of "labor organization" to include any group formed for collective bargaining or mutual aid among employees, and adds membership in such organizations to the list of protected characteristics. This means employers, labor organizations, and others cannot discriminate against employees or job applicants based on their membership in a labor union or employee representation committee. The law already protects people from discrimination based on characteristics like race, gender, and disability; this bill extends that protection to include labor organization membership.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits unauthorized drone operations near schools in New Jersey. It makes it a disorderly persons offense to fly a drone below 250 feet over school property for surveillance, to hover over school grounds without permission, or to use school buildings/grounds as a drone takeoff or landing site. School administrators must provide written authorization for any drone activity within this zone. Violations carry penalties of up to six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. The law specifically exempts authorized public employees and first responders operating drones for official duties.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the New Jersey Educator Evaluation Review Task Force to study and evaluate the state's current teacher and administrator evaluation system under the TEACHNJ Act. The 12-member task force, including educators, principals, and education organization representatives, must report findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature by September 30, 2024. It temporarily pauses new student growth data collection for the 2024-2025 school year, requiring schools to use existing data instead - except for new, non-tenured, or first-year teachers who must set new objectives during that year. Starting in 2025-2026, school districts will implement updated data collection guidelines based on the task force's final recommendations. The bill directly affects all public school teachers, principals, and administrators in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis symbolic Assembly Resolution (AR 122) condemns the Alabama Supreme Court ruling in *LePage v. Mobile Infirmary Clinic* (which treats embryos as "extrauterine children") and federal bill H.R. 431 (which would extend constitutional personhood to embryos from fertilization). It reaffirms New Jersey’s existing protections for reproductive health care access, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), which the state already supports through laws requiring insurance coverage for fertility services. The resolution does not create new legal requirements but publicly opposes actions that threaten IVF access and reproductive freedom. New Jersey has previously enacted measures to shield patients and providers from out-of-state prosecution for legally accessed reproductive care.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3991) directs New Jersey's State Board of Education to create a new "general science" endorsement for teaching certificates. This endorsement would allow certified teachers to teach any high school science course (grades 9-12), rather than being restricted to specific subjects like biology or chemistry. To qualify, teachers must hold a science-related degree (biology, chemistry, physics, or equivalent), maintain a 3.0 GPA, pass basic skills and subject matter tests, and meet other commissioner requirements. Existing science teachers with specialized endorsements (e.g., biology, chemistry) can apply for this general endorsement if they meet the new standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a 7-member School Funding Formula Evaluation Task Force to study New Jersey's current school funding system under the 2008 School Funding Reform Act. The task force, including education and finance experts appointed by legislative leaders, will examine how school budgets are calculated, how student needs are weighted (including at-risk students and special education), and the impact of funding formulas on school finances. It must hold public meetings across the state and submit a final report with recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within one year, though the bill itself does not change funding. The study directly affects all public school districts and their funding allocations.

Maddy summaryThis bill permits New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) conservation and park police officers to use drones (unmanned aircraft systems) while enforcing environmental and park laws. It amends existing statutes to allow officers to observe violations via drone and arrest individuals without a warrant for those violations, including trespassing and park disturbances. The DEP must establish a training program for drone use, approved by the Attorney General. The bill expands current drone use (previously limited to wildlife enforcement) to cover broader enforcement duties.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to provide customers with specific documents in-person on the same day as their appointment, rather than requiring them to return later. It directly affects drivers and residents seeking new or renewed licenses, permits, identification cards, or vehicle registrations at any MVC agency location. The key provision mandates that MVC must have cameras and printers available at all locations to issue 12 specific documents same-day, including standard and REAL ID driver's licenses, permits, non-driver ID cards, and vehicle registrations. The bill takes effect three months after enactment, with MVC allowed to prepare in advance.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides $2 million in state funding to New Jersey's Department of Labor to support county prosecutors in enforcing wage payment laws. It requires each county prosecutor's office to assign a dedicated assistant prosecutor to investigate and prosecute cases where employers fail to pay wages or violate wage-hour laws. The funding covers both financial resources and training for prosecutors to handle these cases more effectively. This directly affects workers who are owed wages and county prosecutors who will now have dedicated staff and resources for wage enforcement.

Maddy summaryThis bill would impose annual registration fees of $300 for passenger electric vehicles and $450 for commercial electric vehicles, starting in 2025, while reducing gasoline and diesel fuel taxes by about one-third (to 7 cents and 9 cents per gallon, respectively). It requires the Department of Transportation to conduct a study on alternative revenue sources for transportation funding, including mileage-based fees and carbon taxes, with a report due by August 2026. All revenues from these fees and tax changes would be directed to the Transportation Trust Fund, which supports transportation infrastructure projects. The study aims to address potential revenue shortfalls as electric vehicle adoption increases and fuel consumption decreases.