Asm. Greg Myhre

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a special "Support Our Veterans" license plate for New Jersey residents, with the $50 initial fee (plus $10 annual fee) funding a dedicated fund. Proceeds from these fees, after covering production costs, will support services at New Jersey's Veterans Haven homeless veteran centers. The program requires 500 initial applications and $25,000 from the Veterans Haven Council to cover startup costs before implementation. If annual production costs exceed the $50 fee for two years, the license plate program may be discontinued.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows licensed organizations in New Jersey - such as charities, churches, veterans' groups, and civic clubs - to conduct a new type of raffle game called "Queen of Hearts." The game uses a board with 54 shuffled playing cards; a randomly drawn winner selects a card. If the card isn't the Queen of Hearts, the winner gets a cash prize immediately, and the game continues weekly until the Queen is chosen. If the Queen is selected, the winner receives half the prize, with the rest kept by the organization. The state's gambling control commission will establish rules for how these raffles must be run.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals New Jersey's participation in the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC). The compact would have required New Jersey to allocate its electoral votes to the presidential candidate who won the national popular vote, rather than the candidate who won in New Jersey. By removing the state's commitment to the compact, the bill ensures New Jersey's electoral votes will continue to be awarded based on the state's popular vote outcome, maintaining the current winner-take-all system. The repeal eliminates all statutory references to the agreement in New Jersey law.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to create and distribute special blue envelopes for individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The envelopes must hold driver's licenses, registration, and insurance documents, feature a distinct color recognizable to police, clearly identify the holder's diagnosis, and include communication guidance for law enforcement. It applies directly to autistic drivers, their parents, guardians, or caregivers who apply for the envelopes. The MVC must design these envelopes in consultation with autism advocacy groups, the Human Services Commissioner, and State Police. The bill draws from a 2020 Connecticut law and takes effect 12 months after enactment.

Maddy summaryACR 31 is a New Jersey legislative resolution applying to Congress for an Article V Convention of States. It seeks to propose constitutional amendments limiting federal government powers, imposing fiscal restraints on spending, and restricting terms of office for federal officials and members of Congress. The resolution is a continuing application, meaning it remains in effect until two-thirds of U.S. states make similar requests on the same issue. This is a procedural step, not a law; it does not change existing federal policy but requests Congress convene a convention to consider specific constitutional amendments.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes criminal liability for New Jersey law enforcement officers during investigations involving underage individuals possessing or consuming alcohol or cannabis, unless the officer violates civil rights. Specifically, officers won’t face criminal charges for actions like stops or searches related to these violations - unless they act with discriminatory intent (e.g., targeting based on race, gender, or other protected characteristics) or commit other unlawful acts like excessive force. The bill modifies existing law to align criminal liability for such encounters with standard civil rights violation standards, requiring proof of discriminatory purpose. It directly affects police conduct during underage alcohol/cannabis enforcement but doesn’t change penalties for the minors involved.

Maddy summaryThis bill provides a New Jersey gross income tax deduction for capital gains realized when landowners sell certain real property interests to qualified conservation organizations for preservation purposes. The deduction applies to both full market value sales and "bargain sales" (where the sale price is below market value, with the difference treated as a charitable donation). The deduction amount equals the capital gain as determined under federal tax rules, covering transactions with groups participating in programs like Green Acres, Blue Acres, and farmland preservation. This policy aims to encourage land conservation by reducing tax liability on such sales, directly benefiting landowners who sell property for environmental preservation.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A1757) extends New Jersey's $6,000 veteran gross income tax exemption to the spouses of deceased veterans. Currently, surviving spouses lose this exemption after the veteran's death, even if they filed jointly in the year of death. The bill allows surviving spouses to continue claiming the $6,000 exemption in future taxable years until they remarry, provided the veteran qualified for the exemption in the year they died. It directly affects spouses of veterans who died while eligible for the tax break, reducing their taxable income without requiring new eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $2,000 tax exemption for New Jersey volunteer firefighters, first aid, and rescue squad members who meet specific service and training requirements. To qualify, firefighters must serve the entire year, respond to at least 60% of fire alarms and drills, and hold Firefighter I certification; rescue and first aid members must respond to at least 10% of rescue alarms and drills and have approved training or EMT certification. Volunteer organizations must submit annual lists of eligible members to the state for verification by March 31. The exemption applies to taxable years starting after the bill's enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill (A2688) requires all New Jersey high school students to pass a civics test identical to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalization test to graduate. Students must take the test in 9th grade and retake it annually until they correctly answer at least 60 of 100 questions. School districts must document passing scores on students' transcripts. The bill directly affects all public high school students in New Jersey, making this test a mandatory graduation requirement starting with the 2015-2016 school year.