Sen. Jim Holzapfel

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey state agencies from imposing civil penalties (fines) on other state agencies or their divisions. It directly affects all state agencies by preventing one agency from fining another agency under any existing law. The key provision states that no state agency may assess, impose, or enforce such penalties on another state agency, overriding any current legal authority that might allow it. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summarySCR 30 proposes a constitutional amendment to New Jersey's education clause, requiring students to attend the public school nearest their residence within their school district, provided that school offers the student's specific course of study. This amendment would prohibit forcing students to attend schools outside their immediate neighborhood district, directly affecting families and school districts in New Jersey. The proposal must be approved by voters in a general election after being submitted to the public for review. It is currently in the early stages of the legislative process, having been introduced in January 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a toll relief program for New Jersey drivers using E-ZPass on the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, and Atlantic City Expressway. Drivers with 35 or more qualifying toll transactions in a month (paid via E-ZPass, not fines or fees) will receive a 50% credit on those tolls, posted within one month. The state appropriates $250 million to the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) and $250 million to the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) to fund these credits, with funds restricted to covering the credits only. The authorities must submit quarterly reports to the Governor and Legislature on issued credits and the program expires one year after enactment.

Maddy summaryS 444 eliminates a supplemental fee on real estate transfers that was added to New Jersey's existing transfer fee system in 2003. This fee charged buyers based on property value: $0.25 per $500 for sales under $150,000, $0.85 for sales between $150k-$200k, and $1.40 for sales over $200k, with counties keeping $0.25 per $500 and the state receiving the rest. The bill specifically repeals Section 2 of P.L.2003, c.113 (C.46:15-7.1), which also included an extra $1.00 fee per $500 for "new construction" properties. It directly affects homebuyers and sellers in New Jersey who previously paid this supplemental charge on property transfers. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryThis bill expands New Jersey's Megan's Law requirements to include individuals convicted of sex offenses in foreign countries, requiring them to register with local law enforcement. It also mandates that law enforcement officers inquire about the immigration status of sex offenders and cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The law affects non-U.S. citizens convicted of qualifying sex offenses abroad who reside in New Jersey, as well as all sex offenders already subject to registration under existing law. Key provisions include requiring registration within 10 days of residing in the state or 120 days of the law's effective date, and adding specific procedures for law enforcement to verify immigration status. The bill amends existing registration requirements under P.L.1994, c.133, and was introduced in the Senate on January 9, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey public school districts to teach students in grades 9-12 about the dangers of texting while driving as part of their health education curriculum. It mandates that lessons include specific information on how distracted driving correlates with erratic driving behaviors (like lane-weaving) and accidents, plus statistics on related injuries and fatalities. The Commissioner of Education must provide schools with sample lesson materials and resources to support this instruction. The requirement applies to all school districts beginning with the 2021-2022 school year.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits state employees, agencies, and state contractors from downloading or using the TikTok app or visiting its website on any state-issued or state-leased electronic device (including phones, computers, and tablets). It applies to all state-issued devices used for official work, with an exception for law enforcement officers using TikTok during investigations under guidelines established by the Attorney General. Violating this prohibition is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Maddy summaryS 799 creates a 1% tax credit for New Jersey corporations that pay small businesses (with fewer than 50 employees) in New Jersey for subcontracted work performed within the state. The credit applies when corporations subcontract work they would have performed themselves, such as portions of their own contracted duties. Corporations can apply this credit against their corporation business tax, but it cannot exceed 50% of the tax owed. This bill directly affects corporations that contract with New Jersey-based small businesses for services performed locally.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 458) changes death benefit rules for New Jersey police and fire retirees. It removes a rule that previously stripped surviving spouses of death benefits if they remarried, allowing them to keep benefits even after remarrying. It also adds a retirement allowance for specific survivors, including children under certain conditions (e.g., under 24 in school or disabled) and other dependents as defined in the law. The bill directly affects surviving spouses and eligible dependents of members in New Jersey's Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS).

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the annual amount credited to New Jersey's Shore Protection Fund from $25 million to $50 million. The funding comes from the State portion of realty transfer fees collected when property deeds are recorded - specifically, the $1.25 per $500 of property value paid to the State. The change directly affects the Shore Protection Fund, which uses these funds for coastal protection projects. The bill amends existing law to adjust the credit amount without altering the fee structure or creating new taxes.