Asm. Brian Rumpf

Maddy summaryThis bill requires local government units receiving loans or guarantees from the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to establish programs ensuring military- or veteran-owned businesses (including those owned by spouses of military members or veterans) can supply materials and services for infrastructure projects. It expands existing requirements - currently mandating programs for minority workers and socially/economically disadvantaged contractors - to include military and veteran-owned businesses without specifying a contract percentage. The bill applies to all projects funded through the NJ Infrastructure Bank, which finances public infrastructure improvements across New Jersey. This change aims to increase participation of military/veteran-owned businesses in state-funded construction and service contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey school districts and public colleges/universities from adopting policies that block active-duty military members or veterans from speaking to students. It specifically bans restrictions on military/veteran speakers at school events, classes, assemblies, sports teams, clubs, or graduation ceremonies. Institutions that violate this law risk having state funding withheld by the Commissioner of Education (for schools) or the State Treasurer (for colleges). The bill requires school districts to forward requests from military/veterans to county superintendents and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3203) creates a sexual assault prevention and response program within New Jersey's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, including a dedicated coordinator who operates independently from military chain of command. The program directly affects service members (including New Jersey National Guard members) who experience sexual assault or harassment, providing confidential complaint options, victim advocacy services, and access to compensation. Key provisions allow victims to file confidential complaints, convert them to formal complaints, receive notices about subsequent accusations against the accused, and have protective orders filed on their behalf with consent. The program requires annual reports to the Governor and Legislature detailing prevention efforts, incident statistics, training gaps, and response strategies.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A3171) requires the New Jersey Veterans' Memorial Homes in Paramus and Menlo Park to convert at least one section in each facility to single-occupancy rooms and upgrade their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to infection control standards. The Adjutant General may also require additional modifications like negative pressure ventilation for infectious disease control. Funding will come first from federal block grants (including American Rescue Plan Act funds) allocated to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, with state General Fund money covering shortfalls if needed. The changes directly affect veterans residing at these two specific facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey school districts to permit graduating high school students to wear a military sash or stole (issued by a U.S. military branch) during graduation ceremonies. It directly affects students who have completed all diploma requirements but are not necessarily active military members - unlike the existing law, which only covered dress uniforms for active service members. The key provision expands the allowable military attire to include sashes/stoles worn atop graduation robes, without requiring active service status or completion of basic training. The change applies immediately to all public school graduation ceremonies across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes fifth or subsequent drunk driving convictions a criminal offense (third-degree crime) instead of a traffic violation, imposing penalties including up to 5 years in jail and a $15,000 fine. It requires a 10-year driver's license suspension for these offenses, increasing to 20 years if the offense occurs on school property within 1,000 feet, through a designated school crossing, or near a school crossing where juveniles are present. Offenders must complete alcohol education, mental health evaluations, and pay a $100 fee to support the Intoxicated Driving Program. The law applies to offenses committed after its effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a working group to help New Jersey coastal communities identify and safely remove abandoned vessels, and establishes a $25 million fund to reimburse municipalities for these removal costs. The working group, consisting of 21 members including federal and state agency representatives, must report to the Governor and Legislature within one year of formation and annually thereafter. Municipalities must adopt vessel registration ordinances for vessels in municipal waterways to qualify for reimbursement, and the fund will be supported by $25 million in state appropriations plus civil penalties collected from vessel abandonment violations.

Maddy summaryThis Assembly Resolution (AR 57) urges New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection and the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to impose an immediate moratorium on sonar testing and wind turbine mapping activities off the New Jersey coast. It is prompted by the unexplained deaths of at least 12 whales (including 8 humpbacks) and 5 dolphins recorded near offshore wind development areas since December 2022. The resolution calls for pausing these activities to allow for scientific study of potential links between sonar/mapping technologies and the marine life deaths. As a resolution, it does not create law but formally requests federal and state agencies to halt related operations pending investigation.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes an annual $15,000 death benefit for the families of New Jersey forest firefighters who die while performing volunteer duties in the line of duty. It directly affects hourly-paid forest firefighters employed by the Department of Environmental Protection, excluding deaths resulting from willful negligence. Payments go first to surviving spouses, then to children (or divided among them), then to parents, or to other designated beneficiaries. The benefit requires a death report filed within 30 days (with possible waiver) and is funded from the State General Fund.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1098) exempts New Jersey disabled veterans from admission fees at state parks and forests, and also removes fees for motor vehicle access to park beaches for fishing. It directly affects disabled veterans who are New Jersey residents and have been honorably discharged with a service-connected disability certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill amends existing law to add "disabled veteran" as a qualifying category for free admission (currently covering residents 62+, totally disabled individuals, and National Guard members with training completion) and specifically exempts this group from beach access fees. The policy change takes effect immediately upon enactment.