Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4192) extends the timeframe for municipalities to conduct exterior-based property tax reassessments from four to eight years after the last full municipal-wide revaluation. It directly affects New Jersey municipalities, allowing them to use less expensive exterior-only reassessments without interior inspections if the last full revaluation occurred within the past eight years. The key provision prevents the state tax division from denying such reassessment applications due to missing interior inspections, reducing the cost and administrative burden of frequent full reassessments. This change aims to alleviate financial strain on municipalities during economic challenges while maintaining property tax assessment standards.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires new residential buildings where at least 90% of units will be occupied by seniors (defined as 62+ years old) to install standby emergency power generators. It applies to new construction projects with pending building permits before the bill's effective date. The generators must comply with environmental regulations, undergo weekly checks and monthly load testing, and only activate during power outages threatening seniors' health. The Department of Community Affairs will establish implementing rules for this requirement.
Maddy summaryThis bill amends New Jersey law to define a law enforcement officer's use of a chokehold as "deadly force." Specifically, it states that knowingly applying pressure to a person's throat, windpipe, or carotid artery - thereby restricting breathing or blood flow - constitutes deadly force. The change directly affects police officers, requiring them to justify such actions under the same legal standards as other deadly force uses (e.g., to prevent death or serious injury). Currently, chokeholds are not explicitly classified as deadly force under New Jersey law, but this bill would require officers to meet the same strict justification criteria as when using firearms. The policy change aims to clarify when chokeholds trigger the legal definition of deadly force.
Maddy summarySJR 155 designates September as "National Obesity Awareness Month" in New Jersey. It requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation encouraging public officials and residents to observe the month with awareness activities focused on obesity prevention. The resolution does not create new programs, funding, or regulations - only designates a month for public awareness. It references New Jersey's rising adult obesity rate (25.6% as of 2015) and associated health risks, but the bill itself is purely symbolic.
Maddy summaryS 4202 allows New Jersey counties to establish a program providing legal assistance to low-income tenants facing landlord-tenant disputes. If a county creates the program, it must allocate $300 from each residential foreclosure sale exceeding $7,000 to fund it through a dedicated trust fund. The program would provide court representation for eligible tenants, and counties must run public awareness campaigns about the program or Legal Services of New Jersey. Counties without the program must still promote awareness of Legal Services of New Jersey.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires every New Jersey public school district to provide each student with their own textbook for classes that use one. It defines a textbook broadly to include physical books, workbooks, manuals, and electronic versions intended as the main study material. The law applies immediately to all such classes and ensures students have access to required learning materials for homework and tests. This directly affects school districts and students in New Jersey public schools, eliminating shared textbook shortages.
Maddy summaryThis bill exempts involuntary real property transfers - such as those from foreclosures, tax sales, or bankruptcy - from requiring municipal transfer approvals (like certificates of occupancy) and water testing for 90 days after the transfer. Property owners acquiring property through these transfers are also exempt from local building, housing, and zoning enforcement during that period. For voluntary sales, municipalities must issue temporary transfer approvals (up to 90 days) if sellers and buyers certify the property is unoccupied and the buyer will address violations within 90 days. The bill overrides conflicting local laws to ensure these provisions apply uniformly across New Jersey.
Maddy summaryS 4173 would require restaurants and bars in New Jersey municipalities with 200 or more existing retail liquor licenses to add a $0.25 fee per alcoholic beverage sold. The collected fees would be sent to the Alcohol Education, Rehabilitation and Enforcement Fund (AEREF), which currently supports alcohol-related programs. The AEREF allocates 75% of funds to rehabilitation, 15% to enforcement, and 10% to education, distributing money to counties based on population and need. This bill creates a new funding source for these established programs without changing their allocation structure.
Maddy summaryS 4213 requires New Jersey's Division of Purchase and Property to provide extra notifications about state contracting opportunities specifically to vendors or potential vendors offering home health care services to state agencies. This includes posting updates on its website and sending notifications via at least two methods (like email, phone, or certified mail) to current contractors, those who've signed up for alerts, and interested parties who qualify. The bill mandates this additional outreach in addition to existing notification requirements under current law. It directly affects home health care service providers seeking state contracts, aiming to improve their access to procurement opportunities. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.
Maddy summaryThis bill (S 4187) requires health insurance plans to allow patients to pay only **one co-payment or deductible** for all follow-up care visits related to surgery, illness, or other covered services within an **180-day period**. It directly affects **patients enrolled in managed care health plans** who need ongoing treatment after an initial procedure or diagnosis. The key provision prevents healthcare providers from charging additional co-pays or deductibles during that 180-day window, regardless of how many follow-up visits occur. The rule applies only if patients follow their plan’s preauthorization rules for in-network care.