Maddy summaryThis bill establishes county-level "ATV Law Enforcement Task Forces" in New Jersey to improve coordination of all-terrain vehicle (ATV) law enforcement. Each task force, composed of county prosecutors, sheriffs, and police chiefs, must study current ATV laws, develop a coordinated enforcement plan for their county, and consider strategies like ATV seizure for illegal operation. The plan must include implementing a specific law (P.L.2021, c.353) allowing municipalities to declare illegally operated ATVs as forfeitable "contraband." Task forces must adopt their plans within six months and report findings to the Attorney General, who will then submit a final report to the Governor and Legislature. The bill directly affects county and municipal law enforcement agencies by creating a structured framework for collaborative ATV enforcement.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryS 2514 limits the Governor's authority to declare and extend states of emergency or public health emergencies in New Jersey. It requires the Legislature to approve any extension of an emergency declaration beyond 60 days through a majority vote in both chambers, after the Governor provides written notice at least seven business days in advance. The bill also mandates that emergency declarations automatically terminate after 60 days unless renewed by the Legislature, and prohibits the Governor from issuing duplicate declarations for the same emergency without new legislation. This directly affects how the Governor and Legislature manage emergency powers, ensuring legislative oversight of emergency declarations.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 39) urges Congress and the Department of Veterans Affairs to maintain current funding levels for ambulance service reimbursements for veterans. It directly affects veterans in New Jersey - 338,012 of whom rely on federal reimbursements to cover ambulance costs averaging $400-$600 per trip. The resolution highlights that proposed funding cuts could create financial barriers for veterans, reduce ambulance services (especially in rural areas with hospital closures), and shift costs to state/local governments without adequate resources. It does not change funding but formally requests federal entities not to reduce existing reimbursement rates.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 2045) allows up to five employees per state agency to take paid leave (up to 10 work days) and unpaid leave (up to 10 work days) during the federal decennial census year to work as census enumerators. It directly affects state employees in New Jersey's executive branch agencies, including departments, commissions, and independent authorities. The key provision grants these employees a specific leave structure to participate in census outreach during their normal work hours without losing pay for the initial 10 days. The bill applies to all covered state agencies and takes effect immediately upon passage.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's Attorney General to launch a 90-day pilot program in the state's 10 municipalities with the highest violent crime rates (based on recent Uniform Crime Reports). Each participating local police department would receive a ballistics scanning device to immediately analyze cartridge cases at crime scenes and access instant crime scene analysis reports for investigations. After the pilot, each agency must submit a usage report with recommendations to the Attorney General, who then must recommend to the Governor and Legislature whether to make the program permanent with annual funding. The law aims to evaluate if these devices improve firearm-related crime investigations in high-crime areas.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners of low-speed electric bicycles and scooters in New Jersey to obtain insurance coverage and register the vehicles with the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). It directly affects anyone who owns or operates these devices, replacing current law that did not require registration or insurance. Key mechanisms include: (1) mandating insurance similar to motor vehicles, (2) creating an MVC registration system with a fee, (3) requiring completion of an online safety training module before registration, and (4) establishing labeling standards for manufacturers. The bill also updates definitions and clarifies that these vehicles must follow bicycle traffic rules where applicable.
Maddy summaryS 1604 requires public utilities in New Jersey to charge volunteer emergency service organizations (like fire departments, ambulance squads, and rescue teams) the residential electricity or gas rate - instead of a higher commercial rate - for service at their primary operating location, if the residential rate is lower. It defines these organizations as those relying on volunteers for emergency services and mandates utilities to create a simple certification process (with the Board of Public Utilities) for organizations to qualify. The bill applies directly to volunteer emergency groups and their utility providers, ensuring cost savings when residential rates are cheaper. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $450,000 from the "Drug Enforcement and Demand Reduction Fund" (funded by drug offense fines) to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to support the Hooked on Fishing-Not on Drugs program. The program provides free fishing opportunities for youth as a drug prevention initiative. The bill directs the state to use funds from this specific account to cover the program's implementation costs and encourages annual funding to maintain it. This directly affects youth participants in the program and the state's allocation of drug fine revenues for prevention efforts.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to update the minimum age requirement for municipal police officers from 21 to 18 years old, aligning the statute with a 1974 New Jersey Supreme Court ruling. The change directly affects municipal police departments and applicants seeking appointment, as it removes the outdated 21-year minimum. The key provision revises N.J.S.40A:14-127 to reflect that 18 - the age of majority - is the legal minimum age for eligibility, correcting a discrepancy between existing law and the court's precedent. The bill does not alter maximum age limits or other existing requirements.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 59) repeals the supplemental realty transfer fee established by P.L.2003, c.113 (C.46:15-7.1). It eliminates a graduated fee on real estate transfers - $0.25 per $500 for sales under $150,000, $0.85 for $150k-$200k, and $1.40 for amounts over $200k - that counties retained $0.25 of per $500 while remitting the rest to the state. The fee applied to most property transfers, including an additional $1.00 per $500 for new construction sales. This change directly affects buyers and sellers in real estate transactions subject to this fee.