Sen. Paul Moriarty

Maddy summaryS 1729 requires candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and state legislative seats (Senate or General Assembly), along with their campaign committees, to report campaign contributions within 48 hours of receiving them. This replaces the current system of cumulative and quarterly reporting with a faster, more frequent update schedule for all contributions. The bill also mandates that the Election Law Enforcement Commission post these reports on its website within 72 hours of filing. These changes aim to increase public transparency by making campaign finance data available more quickly.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 1735, creates criminal penalties for selling or possessing binary firearm triggers in New Jersey. It amends the state's criminal code by defining "machine gun" to include firearms equipped with binary triggers or trigger cranks. The law directly affects gun sellers, manufacturers, and anyone who owns such triggers, making their sale or possession a criminal offense. The key provision adds binary triggers to the definition of machine guns under New Jersey law, subjecting them to existing machine gun regulations. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryS 1764 requires New Jersey's Department of Children and Families (DCF) to publish and share early childhood mental health resources on its website and directly with social workers, teachers, and child care workers who serve children under five. The information must cover raising mental health awareness, appropriately discussing concerns with parents, and connecting families to state or community mental health resources. DCF may also offer optional in-service training on this material to these professionals. The bill mandates implementation within 360 days of enactment and involves collaboration with the Departments of Human Services and Education. This legislation directly affects early childhood professionals by providing standardized tools to support young children's mental health needs.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1714 requires printer and ink cartridge sellers to clearly display two key pieces of information on product packaging or labels: (1) the average cost per 1,000 printed pages for black text (and color, if applicable), calculated using the printer's price divided by cartridge yield; and (2) the ink cartridge's printing yield, measured using standardized industry testing (ISO/IEC 24711 and 19752/24712). This directly affects manufacturers and retailers selling printers and ink cartridges in New Jersey. Violations could result in fines up to $20,000 per offense, enforced under the state's consumer fraud laws. The bill aims to provide consumers with transparent, standardized cost data to compare products.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1731) prohibits creditors from using unfair, deceptive, or unreasonable tactics when collecting personal, family, or household debts in New Jersey. It specifically bans practices like threatening to share debt details with unauthorized people (e.g., neighbors or employers), harassing debtors with late-night calls or offensive language, simulating court documents, impersonating law enforcement, or contacting debtors via social media to demand payment. Violations carry civil penalties of $2,500 for a first offense and $5,000 for repeat offenses, plus the right for affected individuals to sue for damages. The law applies to creditors collecting debts primarily for personal use, not business debts.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1747) adjusts key deadlines for property tax assessment processes in New Jersey counties. It moves the annual tax appeal report deadline from August 15 to June 1, changes the equalization table submission deadline from March 1 to May 15, and shifts the county board meeting deadline from March 10 to May 25. These changes apply to most counties, while counties participating in specific assessment programs (like the 2013 demonstration program or the 2009 Property Tax Assessment Reform Act) retain modified deadlines. The bill directly affects county boards of taxation, tax administrators, and assessors who manage property valuation and tax appeals. It is a procedural adjustment to the assessment calendar with no new tax policies or funding changes.

Maddy summaryS 1712 amends New Jersey's Open Public Records Act to clarify which government records remain confidential and which are publicly accessible. It updates definitions and adds specific exemptions, such as protecting social security numbers, medical examiner photos (with limited exceptions), trade secrets, and constituent information held by legislators. The bill directly affects residents seeking public records and government agencies handling those requests by specifying new categories of information that cannot be disclosed. These changes aim to refine existing confidentiality rules under the law without broadly expanding or restricting public access. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee after introduction on January 9, 2024.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's S 1732 creates a process for defendants to seek dismissal of "SLAPP" lawsuits - civil cases designed to silence public advocacy on issues like health, environment, or government matters. The bill allows defendants (called "moving parties") to file an application arguing a lawsuit targets protected speech, triggering a court stay on discovery until the motion is decided. If the defendant shows the lawsuit stems from public advocacy, the burden shifts to the plaintiff to prove the case has factual and legal merit, not just to suppress free speech. This law aims to prevent frivolous lawsuits that chill public participation while requiring plaintiffs to demonstrate actual harm and valid legal grounds.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires New Jersey's State Treasurer to create and maintain a public, searchable website displaying detailed information about state contracts, grants, and expenditures paid with public funds. It mandates that the website include specific details for each transaction, such as vendor names, contract costs, dates, and funding sources, organized by fiscal year and agency. The site must be free to access, prominently linked on the state's main website, and allow public feedback - while excluding confidential or private information as defined by law. This transparency measure directly affects state agencies (which must submit data) and the public (which gains access to spending records).

Maddy summaryS 1733, the "Government Reality Check Act," restricts benefits and travel for New Jersey public employees and legislators. It prohibits state employees from accepting free or discounted entertainment tickets, gifts, or out-of-state travel without approval, limits travel reimbursement to $500 per trip outside New Jersey, and requires Ethics Commission review for certain outside income. The bill also bans public officials from receiving compensation for official duties from non-state sources, except for book royalties, reasonable travel expenses, or specific nonprofit reimbursements. These rules apply to all state officers, employees, legislators, and their offices, aiming to prevent conflicts of interest and ethical violations. The bill is currently pending in the Senate committee.