Asm. Brian Rumpf

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 43) honors the life of political activist Charles "Charlie" Kirk, who was assassinated on September 10, 2025, during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University. It condemns the violence targeting him for his political views and reaffirms New Jersey's commitment to protecting peaceful assembly and free expression. The resolution symbolically honors Kirk and transmits copies to Turning Point USA and his family, with no direct policy changes or affected groups beyond this commemorative action.

Maddy summaryACR 29 is a New Jersey legislative resolution requesting Congress to call an Article V convention of states. The bill seeks to propose constitutional amendments that would impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit federal power and jurisdiction, and establish term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. It functions as a continuing application, meaning New Jersey's request remains active until two-thirds of states make similar requests on the same issue. This is a procedural step (not a law) to initiate a potential constitutional convention process, directly affecting New Jersey's legislative action and the broader state-level effort to influence federal governance.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the State Health Benefits Commission (SHBC) to use $78 million from a 2025 False Claims Act settlement with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield to lower health care contribution costs for public employees (and their dependents) covered under the State Health Benefits Program. It specifically applies to employees working for local governments, school districts, and other public employers *other than* the State itself or independent State authorities. The funds will reduce the amount these employees pay toward their health coverage, with the settlement requiring Horizon to pay $100 million total, $78 million of which goes to the SHBC. The bill takes immediate effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts veterans from paying camping facilities fees at New Jersey State parks and forests. It specifically eliminates fees for campsites, cabins, lean-tos, and shelters for any veteran who was honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard, or Merchant Marine (World War II). The policy applies to all veterans using these facilities, as defined by state law to include those meeting federal eligibility criteria for veterans' benefits.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A1435 creates a 21-member working group to coordinate the safe removal of abandoned vessels along the state's coastline, directly affecting coastal municipalities struggling with derelict boats - especially those impacted by Hurricane Sandy. The bill establishes a $25 million "Abandoned Vessels Fund" administered by the State Treasurer to reimburse municipalities for removal costs under a new program. Key provisions include annual reporting requirements for the working group, mandatory cooperation from state agencies, and strict rules to prevent fund diversion without legislative approval. This policy change provides concrete financial and structural support for communities to address environmental hazards and navigational risks posed by abandoned vessels.

Maddy summaryThis bill converts a $1.25 million loan awarded to the Barnegat Bay Decoy and Baymen's Museum in Ocean County into a grant, eliminating the need for repayment. The museum, which originally received a combined $1.5 million in funding (including $1.25 million as a loan and $250,000 as a grant), will now receive the full amount as non-repayable grant money. The change specifically modifies Section 1(c) of the 1999 appropriations bill to replace the loan component with a grant. This affects only the museum's funding allocation from the 1996 Economic Development Site Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill would provide a discounted fee for resident trapping licenses to New Jersey seniors aged 65 and older, reducing the cost from $31.50 to $16.50 (plus a $1 issuance fee). Currently, similar discounts exist for senior citizens on resident fishing, firearm hunting, and bow hunting licenses, but not for trapping licenses. The bill closes this gap by extending the same reduced rate to trapping licenses, making them more affordable for seniors. It directly affects senior residents seeking to obtain or renew a resident trapping license in New Jersey.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes an exemption in New Jersey's Smoke-Free Air Act that previously allowed smoking in casinos and casino simulcasting facilities. Currently, these venues could permit smoking in areas used for gambling (like slot machine rooms or table games), but the bill would eliminate that exception. After passage, all indoor areas of casinos and simulcasting facilities open to the public for gambling would be required to be smoke-free. This change aligns these venues with the state's general indoor smoking ban, which applies to most public workplaces and spaces.

Maddy summaryACR 82 proposes amending New Jersey's constitution to require a four-fifths majority vote (32 Senate votes and 64 Assembly votes) in both legislative chambers to submit a constitutional amendment to voters during a "lame duck" session. This session occurs between the general election for Assembly members and the start of the new Legislature (typically November to January). Currently, amendments need only a three-fifths majority (24/48 votes) or simple majority (21/41 votes) in consecutive years for submission. The bill would specifically raise the vote threshold for amendments proposed during this specific pre-election period, without changing requirements for other sessions.

Maddy summary"Breann's Law" (Bill A-2822) requires health insurers, the State Health Benefits Program, and NJ FamilyCare to cover out-of-network medical services for children diagnosed with catastrophic illnesses - defined as life-threatening conditions or those posing serious disability risks - when services are provided by referral from an in-network provider. The law mandates that coverage for these out-of-network services must be provided at the same level as in-network care under the same health plan. It applies to specific health insurance contracts, including hospital service, medical service, health service corporation plans, and group health insurance policies issued in New Jersey. This policy change directly affects families of children with severe illnesses who previously faced barriers to accessing specialized care outside their insurance network.