Asm. Greg Myhre

Maddy summaryThis bill exempts volunteer fire companies, emergency medical service providers, and veteran organizations from paying charitable registration fees in New Jersey. It specifically applies to groups that operate entirely on a volunteer basis (with no paid staff for fundraising) and meet the criteria outlined in the law. Currently, charitable organizations raising over $10,000 annually must register and pay fees to the Division of Consumer Affairs; this bill removes that requirement for qualifying volunteer groups. The exemption covers fire companies, emergency service nonprofits, and IRS 501(c)(3)/501(c)(19) veteran organizations that perform duties without paid fundraising staff.

Maddy summaryThis bill, the "United Border Security Act" (A4910), requires the New Jersey National Guard to deploy at least 1,500 members to Arizona or Texas upon a lawful request from either state's governor to assist with securing their southern border with Mexico. It mandates funding from the state's General Fund to cover deployment costs and specifies that the deployment would last up to 12 months or end when Arizona or Texas declares the support no longer needed. The bill cites New Jersey's estimated $7.3 billion annual cost for supporting undocumented immigrants (8% of the state's population) as justification for the deployment. The measure would take effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to waive walk-in and bicycle entrance fees at all state parks and forests during three specific holiday periods: Memorial Day weekend, the week of the Fourth of July, and Labor Day weekend. It applies directly to visitors entering these public lands on those designated dates, eliminating the standard fee for walk-in and bicycle access. The policy change would take effect one year after the bill is enacted.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a process for New Jersey to select, instruct, and oversee commissioners who will represent the state at an Article V convention for proposing constitutional amendments. It sets specific eligibility requirements for commissioners (including citizenship, residency, age, and expertise in constitutional matters), requires them to take an oath, and prohibits them from supporting changes to the traditional one-vote-per-state rule or amendments that alter specific constitutional guarantees like the Bill of Rights and several key amendments. The bill creates an advisory committee to monitor commissioners' compliance with their instructions and to recommend recalls when commissioners exceed their authority, with procedures for filling vacancies. It also establishes criminal penalties (third-degree crimes) for commissioners who exceed their authority or for anyone who bribes, threatens, or obstructs commissioners during the convention.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (ACR 143) urges Congress to pass the "Presidential Security Resources Reimbursement Act of 2024" (H.R.9332). It seeks to create a federal reimbursement program for state and local governments covering public safety costs during visits by major presidential and vice-presidential candidates. The resolution explains that current security coordination with the Secret Service places undue financial burdens on New Jersey municipalities, as they currently fund personnel, equipment, and facilities without federal reimbursement. The proposed federal bill would authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to reimburse states and localities for these expenses during candidate events. The resolution emphasizes this would improve coordination with the Secret Service while easing financial strain on local governments.

Maddy summaryThis bill reinstates an annual sales tax holiday in New Jersey for specific back-to-school and recreational items. It exempts from tax individual purchases of computers under $3,000, school computer supplies under $1,000, school supplies, art supplies, instructional materials, and sport/recreation equipment during a defined 10-day period each year (starting 9 days before the first Monday in September and ending on that Monday). The exemption applies only to non-business purchases by individuals. The tax holiday would begin in the 2025 school year, applying to sales during the exemption period occurring at least 30 days after the bill’s enactment.

Maddy summaryAJR 195 designates August 30 of each year as "Keith Pinto Day" in New Jersey to honor Keith Pinto, a Toms River lifeguard who died tragically at age 19 in a lightning strike during his shift on August 30, 2021. The resolution requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation calling on state agencies, organizations, and citizens to observe the day with commemorative activities. It has no policy or funding provisions - it is purely a ceremonial designation recognizing Pinto's community service and the impact he had as a lifeguard and local resident. The resolution takes effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A4774 "Enhanced ID Act" requires the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to create and issue enhanced driver's licenses and non-driver ID cards that meet federal standards for border crossings into Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean. These IDs include security features like machine-readable barcodes and encrypted radio frequency technology, and serve as proof of identity and citizenship for land/sea border crossings. Applicants must provide citizenship documentation, Social Security numbers, photographs, and pay a $30 application fee (renewal is $15), with false statements carrying third-degree crime penalties. The bill applies to all New Jersey residents seeking these specific IDs, which operate alongside standard licenses but add federal border compliance.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's Assembly Resolution 155 (AR 155) is a symbolic resolution urging federal action regarding education policies for undocumented students. It asks Congress to remove federal courts' jurisdiction over cases involving state laws requiring undocumented students to pay tuition (similar to taxes paid by citizens), or alternatively, asks the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn its 1981 *Plyler v. Doe* ruling that prohibits states from denying public education to undocumented children. The resolution argues that states, not federal courts, should have constitutional authority (under the 10th Amendment) to determine education funding and policies for their residents. It does not create new law but seeks to influence federal or judicial action on this specific education policy matter.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to publicly share a website link to natural resource damage assessment reports and restoration plans whenever settling cases under the Spill Compensation and Control Act. Specifically, DEP must publish this link in the New Jersey Register and on its website at least 60 days before approving a settlement that addresses natural resource damages. This applies to settlements involving environmental harm to resources like waterways or wildlife, making details about cleanup plans more accessible to the public. The requirement builds on existing rules that already mandate publishing basic settlement details like case names and payment amounts. It directly affects DEP, settlement parties, and the public seeking transparency about environmental cleanup efforts.