Asm. Greg Myhre

Maddy summaryACR 55 creates a special legislative committee to investigate costs in New Jersey's public employee health care programs. The committee will examine premium increases for state health benefits, contract disputes with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, allegations about Governor's Office interference in Treasury staff decisions, and the implementation of a 2019 law establishing fund subaccounts and third-party reviews. This procedural resolution does not change policy but mandates a fact-finding investigation to inform future legislative decisions. The committee’s report will recommend potential policy changes after reviewing these specific issues.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how motor vehicle fine money is distributed when violations are issued by the State Police. Specifically, it directs that one-third of the total fines collected from State Police-issued tickets must go to the municipality where the violation occurred, while two-thirds go to the State Treasurer for designated state funds. The municipality can use this one-third share to help cover costs like operating its municipal court. This applies only to violations where the State Police were the issuing agency, not to tickets from other law enforcement. The change aims to provide direct local funding for municipal court operations from these specific fines.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey Assembly Resolution (AR 20) urges the U.S. Congress to remove federal court jurisdiction over cases where states require undocumented immigrant children to pay school tuition. It also asks the Supreme Court to overturn *Plyler v. Doe* (1981), which established that states cannot deny public education to undocumented children. The resolution does not create new law but formally requests federal action to return education policy authority to states. It directly addresses how states may fund education for undocumented students, referencing the Supreme Court's conflicting rulings on the issue. This is a non-binding request, not a legislative proposal.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to repeal a 2018 directive (No. 2018-6) that limited local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The directive previously prohibited police from sharing certain information with immigration officials - such as notifying them about detained individuals' release dates or extending detention solely based on immigration requests - when immigration enforcement was the sole purpose. The bill directly affects state, county, and local police departments by removing these restrictions on sharing information with federal immigration authorities. It aims to restore full cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration agencies, as specified in the directive's current provisions. The repeal would take effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) from planting non-native plants in state parks, forests, or related facilities starting three months after enactment. It directs the DEP to develop a list of appropriate native plants (those naturally occurring in New Jersey or the Mid-Atlantic region) and establishes a $250,000 grant program to help local governments (counties, municipalities) use native plants in their parks and forests. Grants can be up to $5,000 per project, with local governments allowed to apply for multiple grants annually. The DEP must report annually on the program’s effectiveness in promoting native plants and reducing environmental risks linked to non-native species.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates an annual sales tax holiday for specific school-related purchases in New Jersey. It exempts retail sales of computers under $3,000, school computer supplies under $1,000, school supplies, art supplies, instructional materials, and sport/recreation equipment when bought by individuals for non-business use. The tax exemption applies during a defined 10-day period each year: from 12:01 a.m. on the ninth day before the first Monday in September through 11:59 p.m. on that Monday. The bill takes immediate effect and applies to sales occurring at least 30 days after enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow New Jersey residents to deduct state fuel taxes paid for personal vehicle use from their gross income tax. It applies to individual filers (single, married filing jointly, or married filing separately) who pay New Jersey motor fuel taxes for personal vehicle operation, with a yearly cap of $1,000 for 2020 and $2,000 for subsequent years. The deduction excludes taxes reimbursed by employers or already deductible through other tax provisions (like business expenses). This directly reduces taxable income for qualifying individuals but does not change tax rates or provide refunds.

Maddy summaryACR 68 is a New Jersey concurrent resolution urging Congress to pass the "Presidential Security Resources Reimbursement Act of 2024" (H.R.9332). It directly affects state and local governments, which currently bear the costs of providing security for presidential and vice-presidential candidates during campaign events. The resolution requests federal reimbursement for these expenses - such as personnel, equipment, and facilities - after highlighting the financial burden on jurisdictions like New Jersey following the July 2024 assassination attempt on a presidential candidate. This is a procedural resolution, not a bill, seeking to prompt federal action.

Maddy summaryThis New Jersey bill allows 12th graders who are enlisting or planning to enlist in the U.S. military or National Guard to miss school for required military activities without penalty. Absences for military enlistment activities - including testing, medical exams, interviews, or fingerprinting - must be recorded as excused and won’t appear on transcripts, job applications, or affect perfect attendance records. Schools may request documentation to verify the student’s military plans. The bill applies only to students in grade 12.

Maddy summaryThis bill reestablishes state education funding for school districts located in municipalities where over 51% of residents are age 65 or older, based on the latest federal census. It provides $500 per student in projected enrollment to qualifying districts, directly affecting school funding in areas like Manchester Township and Berkeley Township (where Berkeley is part of a regional school district). The aid is calculated using projected enrollment (not actual enrollment) and reduces the qualifying municipality’s share of regional school district taxes. This policy change revives a program repealed in 2008, targeting districts with significant senior populations to stabilize education funding.