Asm. Brian Rumpf

Maddy summaryThis bill (A 1850) sets a flat 5.9% tax rate on New Jersey gross income above $37,500 for single filers or $75,000 for married couples filing jointly, while exempting all income below those thresholds from taxation. It directly affects New Jersey residents whose taxable income exceeds these filing-status-specific limits. The key provision replaces previous tiered tax brackets with a single flat rate for income above the exemption thresholds. This change simplifies the tax structure for higher earners while maintaining tax exemption for lower-income taxpayers. The bill was introduced in 2026 and referred to the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to prioritize principal forgiveness for environmental infrastructure loans to municipalities in coastal areas. It directly affects coastal municipalities needing funding for projects like wastewater treatment and water supply systems. The key mechanism establishes that these coastal communities will receive preferential treatment in the existing Interim Environmental Financing Program for eligible projects listed on the DEP's priority list. The change modifies how loan forgiveness is allocated within current financing programs, without creating new funding sources.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to provide veteran benefit information packets to veterans when issuing a license or ID card that includes a veteran designation. The packets must include the NJ Department of Military and Veterans’ Affairs Benefits Guide, the VA’s "Federal Benefits for Veterans" booklet, and resources for finding additional benefits. Information must be available in both physical copies at MVC offices and online. The law applies to initial licenses, renewals, probationary licenses, and veteran-designated ID cards. It takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special "Community and Navigational Waterways Restorative and Maintenance Dredging Account" funded by $5 million annually from sales tax on boat-related purchases (e.g., boats, kayaks, trailers). The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will manage the account to fund dredging projects outside the New York-New Jersey port region, including waterways providing boat access to coastal residential areas - even if not officially designated as navigational waters. At least 25% of the funds must be used for maintaining these residential access waterways. The DEP must annually prioritize projects based on community input and report to the Governor and Legislature.

Maddy summaryBill A-2858 requires New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to sell mobile sport fishing permits - used for operating vehicles on beaches for fishing - in a way that reserves the first 14 days of each permit season exclusively for New Jersey residents. This directly affects non-residents who would need to wait until after the 14-day window to purchase these permits. The DEP may establish rules for verifying residency (e.g., driver’s licenses or utility bills) and must implement the change six months after the bill’s enactment. The policy aims to prioritize local access to beach fishing permits while allowing the DEP flexibility in enforcement.

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.

Maddy summaryACR 84 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring New Jersey property tax assessors to reduce the assessed value of a homeowner's primary residence when they add living space specifically for eligible senior relatives. It directly affects homeowners who construct or reconstruct additions to house parents, grandparents, aunts, or uncles aged 62 or older. The tax reduction equals the cost of the addition or 20% of the property's total assessed value - whichever is lower - and applies from the tax year after voter approval until the last qualifying relative moves out or passes away. This policy change would automatically lower property taxes for qualifying homeowners without requiring additional applications or approvals.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates New Jersey's State Highway Route 72 (from milepost 0 to 28.74) as the "Burlington-Ocean Purple Heart Memorial Highway" to honor all Purple Heart recipients for their military service and sacrifice. It requires that signs bearing this designation be funded solely through private donations or grants, not public funds, and prohibits the use of state money for producing, purchasing, or installing the signs. The bill has no policy impact beyond this symbolic recognition and memorialization.

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts specific military compensation from New Jersey's gross income tax for service members who are domiciled in New Jersey but stationed outside the state. It directly affects New Jersey-resident military personnel serving away from New Jersey, including active duty, reserve, and National Guard members on state active duty. The key provision amends the state tax code to exclude military pay received for service performed outside New Jersey, housing allowances, and mustering-out payments from taxable income. The exemption applies to taxable years ending after the bill's enactment, which took effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA) to create a free bereavement counseling program for family members and specific volunteer caregivers of veterans who died by suicide. It directly affects spouses, parents, children, household residents, and unpaid volunteer caregivers who provided counseling for at least three months before the veteran's death. Key provisions include matching applicants with licensed clinicians (max 30 counseling hours per year, up to 24 months), requiring funeral directors and Veteran Service Officers to provide program information, and allowing applications for up to five years after the veteran's death. The program must be administered at no cost to participants, with DMVA responsible for recruiting clinicians and coordinating with federal VA resources.