Asm. Greg Myhre

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill (A2779) amends workers' compensation and temporary disability benefit laws to exclude undocumented immigrant workers from eligibility. It specifically modifies the definition of "employee" to deny benefits to individuals who are not lawfully present in the U.S. at the time of injury - meaning undocumented workers would not qualify for these benefits even if injured on the job. The key mechanism adds a new exclusion clause to the eligibility criteria, stating benefits are unavailable to "aliens unless they were lawfully admitted for permanent residence" or otherwise legally present under U.S. immigration law. The bill directly affects undocumented immigrant workers in New Jersey who suffer work-related injuries or disabilities. It has been introduced and referred to the Assembly Labor Committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey county clerks to publicly report provisional ballot data for each election district during primary and general elections, starting on election day instead of the following day. County clerks must provide daily updates online detailing the number of provisional ballots cast, their results, and remaining counts - broken down by district - until the election is certified, with a final report due within 30 days of certification. These reports must be accessible on county websites and include timestamps, noting they are unofficial and subject to change. The bill directly affects election officials (county clerks and boards) and the public, increasing transparency about provisional ballot processing.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a 90-day tax amnesty period ending January 15, 2026, allowing taxpayers with unpaid New Jersey state taxes (for returns due between September 2017 and December 2024) to pay the full tax amount plus 50% of accrued interest (without penalties or fees). Taxpayers who participate forfeit all appeal rights for those taxes. All revenue collected during this period will fund a new Stabilization Aid Account, providing financial support to school districts experiencing reduced state aid compared to the prior year. The bill appropriates up to $15 million from this account to cover the administrative costs of running the tax amnesty program.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a state loan program for New Jersey school districts facing significant budget shortfalls that would force cuts to nonmandatory programs like advanced courses, sports, music, and clubs. Districts must apply after receiving their state school aid notice, demonstrating they cannot resolve the shortfall through program reductions or tax increases while meeting specific criteria, including five years of at least 2% annual property tax hikes. The state will review applications within 30 days and allow districts to delay budget deadlines until a decision is made. The program aims to prevent cuts to educational offerings while ensuring districts have explored other budget options.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges New Jersey's state and federal agencies to pause sonar testing and wind turbine mapping near offshore wind projects. It cites NOAA data showing 12 whale deaths (including 8 humpbacks) and 5 dolphin deaths in February 2023 off New Jersey's coast - deaths occurring near active wind development sites. The resolution requests an immediate moratorium to allow scientific study of whether these activities interfere with marine mammals' navigation and communication. It specifically targets the Department of Environmental Protection and the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. The resolution does not create new law but calls for a pause while investigations continue.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to create a program enabling gas public utilities to invest in renewable natural gas (RNG) infrastructure and procure RNG. It directly affects gas utilities (like gas companies) and their ratepayers (customers who pay gas bills). Key provisions require the BPU to establish a ratemaking mechanism allowing utilities to recover all prudently incurred costs - such as capital investments in RNG infrastructure, operating expenses, and RNG procurement costs - from customers through regular rate adjustments. The BPU must approve both the program and cost recovery mechanism, ensuring rates reflect actual costs while protecting ratepayers.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey bill A3694 establishes a voluntary registration and training program for commercial applicators who remove snow or ice for hire using deicing substances. It requires these applicators to complete certified training on effective, water-quality-protective methods and register with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The program mandates record-keeping of application methods and amounts, annual reporting to DEP, and periodic refresher training. Registered applicators gain limited liability protection for snow/ice removal on private property when following trained methods, but this protection does not apply if they act recklessly or deviate from the training. The bill directly affects commercial snow/ice removal businesses and property owners who hire them, aiming to reduce water contamination from excessive deicer runoff.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows veterinarians in New Jersey to transfer healthy animals with behavioral issues to new homes or shelters instead of euthanizing them, under specific conditions. It applies only when the animal is physically healthy (not sick), the owner requested euthanasia for behavior reasons, the vet confirms no public safety threat and rehabilitation is possible, and the owner is informed beforehand. If these conditions are met, the animal's ownership permanently transfers to the new home or shelter, and the veterinarian is relieved of liability for the animal. This directly affects pet owners, veterinarians, and animal shelters by offering an alternative to euthanasia for suitable cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows surviving spouses to claim a partial homestead property tax reimbursement for the days their deceased spouse lived during the tax year, even if the surviving spouse doesn't meet the standard eligibility requirements. Currently, reimbursement eligibility must be met as of December 31 of the tax year, which prevents surviving spouses from claiming any reimbursement if the deceased spouse died earlier in the year. The bill creates a pro-rata claim based on the number of days the deceased spouse lived (including the date of death) during the tax year. It directly affects surviving spouses of deceased New Jersey residents who previously qualified for the homestead tax reimbursement but are now ineligible themselves. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryACR 69 is a concurrent resolution declaring that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) 2021 rules implementing the "Advanced Clean Trucks" program are inconsistent with legislative intent. The resolution states the DEP adopted these rules - requiring 55-75% zero-emission truck sales by 2035 - without following a legal requirement to notify environmental committees, as mandated by 2003 law authorizing only California's "phase 2" low-emission vehicle program. The resolution gives the DEP 30 days to amend or withdraw the rules, or the legislature may later pass another resolution to invalidate them. This procedural action directly affects the DEP's rulemaking authority and the timeline for truck manufacturers to comply with the program.