Asm. Brian Rumpf

Maddy summaryThis bill allows New Jersey National Guard members to transfer their tuition benefit to a spouse or dependent child. Specifically, members can transfer 50% of their benefit (covering up to 8 credits per semester) to a dependent child or 100% (covering up to 16 credits per semester) to a spouse. To qualify, the spouse or child must be enrolled full-time at a public New Jersey institution, apply for all available state and federal grants/scholarships, and the Guard member can only transfer the benefit to one person. The bill amends existing law to expand benefit eligibility to family members while maintaining current requirements for enrollment and financial aid applications.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands eligibility for volunteer emergency personnel to legally operate emergency warning lights on their personal vehicles during emergency responses. It specifically authorizes county emergency management coordinators, deputy coordinators, and volunteer fire/rescue members (including those in municipal volunteer organizations) to mount and use red emergency lights and sirens, as previously limited to fire company chiefs. Key provisions require obtaining identification cards from the Motor Vehicle Commission, mandate specific light placement (max two red lights on roof or windshield columns), and specify lights must only be used while responding to active emergency calls. The bill also clarifies that operators must still obey all traffic laws, with other drivers required to yield as they would for official emergency vehicles. This is a procedural update to existing vehicle lighting regulations, not a new policy.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1685) reinstates automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for retirement benefits paid to members of New Jersey's state-administered retirement systems, including teachers' pensions. It directly affects current and future retirees in these systems by ensuring their benefits automatically increase each year to match inflation, rather than requiring separate legislative action for each adjustment. The key mechanism is amending existing law to restore the automatic COLA provision that was previously removed, linking benefit increases directly to the Consumer Price Index. This change simplifies the process and provides predictable income growth for retirees without requiring new votes for each adjustment. The bill is sponsored by Assemblywomen Reynolds-Jackson and Speight and co-sponsored by multiple legislators.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes establishing New Jersey's "Gold Star Family Annuity Program" within the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. It would provide eligible surviving family members of service members who died on active duty with an annual $600 payment starting January 1 each year, with future increases tied to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefit adjustments (minimum 1%, maximum 4% annually). The program specifically supports New Jersey residents who are spouses, domestic partners, parents, siblings, children, or legal guardians of fallen service members. Residency is required for eligibility, and remarriage does not disqualify recipients. The bill defines "Gold Star family member" and outlines application requirements, including proof of relationship and New Jersey residency.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to restart the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation program using leftover funds to assist homeowners still recovering from Superstorm Sandy. It directs the DCA to accept grant applications for financial aid covering unmet rebuilding needs, as defined under existing law (P.L.2015, c.102). The program will provide direct funding to eligible Sandy-impacted homeowners who have not yet received full financial assistance for repairs or mitigation. The DCA must act if sufficient uncommitted funds remain, with the bill taking effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a four-year pilot program in Ocean County called "Lisa's Law" that would require electronic monitoring of certain domestic violence offenders with the victim's informed consent. The program would apply to defendants convicted of contempt of domestic violence orders, and courts would consider factors like the severity of past violence, access to weapons, and mental health history before ordering monitoring. The bill appropriates $2.5 million from the General Fund to the Domestic Violence Victim Notification Fund, which would collect monitoring fees ($250 per defendant, waivable in cases of financial hardship) and cover program costs. Electronic monitoring devices would need to meet National Institute of Justice standards, and the Attorney General would submit annual reports evaluating the program's effectiveness and recommending whether to continue it statewide.

Maddy summaryS 1385, known as "Lisa’s Law," establishes a four-year pilot program in Ocean County (or another county chosen by the Attorney General) requiring electronic monitoring for certain domestic violence offenders who violate restraining orders. The law mandates that courts obtain a victim’s informed consent before ordering monitoring, considering factors like the offender’s history of violence, weapon access, and mental health. It requires monitoring devices to meet federal tracking standards, allows courts to charge offenders a $250 fee (with waivers for hardship), and directs funds to a Domestic Violence Victim Notification Fund. The program applies only to defendants convicted of contempt for violating domestic violence orders under New Jersey’s Prevention of Domestic Violence Act.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to lift conservation restrictions imposed on land as a condition of a Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) permit. These restrictions can only be lifted if the land is needed for expanding an existing school for special needs children. The DEP must also require a new conservation restriction of at least double the size to be placed on another parcel within 20 miles of the original property before lifting the restriction.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to lift conservation restrictions tied to CAFRA permits under specific conditions. It allows property owners to remove these restrictions if the land is needed for expanding an existing special needs school. As a condition, the DEP must require a new conservation restriction on a parcel at least twice as large, located within 20 miles of the original property. This policy change directly affects landowners seeking to expand special needs schools and requires compensatory conservation measures.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to promote state-produced aquaculture products (farm-raised fish and shellfish) through the existing Jersey Fresh Program. It requires an annual $100,000 appropriation from the General Fund to fund advertising and promotion of these products, which must meet department-established quality standards. The Department must also create a specific quality grading system for aquaculture products, distinct from wild-caught seafood, to verify their quality under the program. This directly benefits New Jersey aquaculture businesses by expanding market access for their products through state marketing efforts.