Sen. Carmen Amato

Maddy summarySCR 76 is a New Jersey concurrent resolution urging Congress and the President to increase federal subsidies for flood insurance premiums. It directly affects homeowners in flood-prone areas, particularly those who have faced repeated disasters like Hurricane Sandy and risk premium hikes of 500% or more due to FEMA floodplain changes. The resolution calls for legislative action to lower costs for these property owners by reversing subsidy cuts from the 2012 Biggert-Waters Act. As a procedural resolution, it does not change law but formally requests federal action to support impacted homeowners.

Maddy summaryS 1908 authorizes New Jersey to issue special "100 Percent Disabled Veteran" license plates to veterans officially declared 100% disabled by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. These plates would allow holders to use handicapped parking privileges, with no application cost and non-transferable use. The plates must display the phrase "100 Percent Disabled Veteran" and an emblem chosen with veteran organization input. The bill specifies strict penalties for misuse, including revocation of parking benefits. The bill was introduced in the Senate on January 9, 2024, and referred to the Transportation Committee.

Maddy summaryS 1899 allows civil lawsuits related to home improvement contracts for residential or non-commercial property to be filed in the county where the property is located, rather than requiring filing where the defendant resides. This directly affects contractors and homeowners involved in disputes over home improvement work, such as those involving vacation properties. The key provision changes venue rules to let either party file in the property's county, addressing current challenges where homeowners don't live in the same county as their property. The bill applies to cases under $15,000 (handled in Special Civil Part) and takes effect immediately.

Maddy summarySJR 65 designates September of each year as "Chiari Malformation-Syringomyelia Awareness Month" in New Jersey. The bill requests the Governor issue an annual proclamation to encourage public awareness activities about Chiari Malformation (CM) and Syringomyelia (SM), neurological conditions affecting approximately 1 in 2,000 people. It does not create new laws, funding, or medical requirements, but aims to increase public and medical understanding of these conditions. The resolution urges New Jersey citizens and officials to observe the designated month with educational efforts.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's SCR 73 is a procedural resolution urging Congress to propose a constitutional amendment. It seeks to amend the U.S. Constitution to grant Congress and states the authority to prohibit physical desecration of the American flag. The resolution does not create new law but requests Congress to initiate this constitutional change, citing the flag's historical significance and previous congressional efforts. It directly addresses Congress as the target of the memorial and could affect how states enforce flag protection laws if the amendment is adopted.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1900) would require life imprisonment without parole eligibility for individuals convicted of aggravated sexual assault causing serious bodily injury to the victim. It also establishes extended prison terms with mandatory parole ineligibility for two other severe cases: sexual assault involving minors (16 or younger) when committed with a deadly weapon or threat, and aggravated criminal sexual contact involving minors. For these cases, courts would set minimum sentences of 10-20 years (for sexual assault) or 5-10 years (for aggravated contact), during which defendants cannot be considered for parole. The bill amends New Jersey's sentencing laws to eliminate parole eligibility in these specific scenarios, affecting only the most severe sexual assault convictions as defined by the statute. The bill is pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Maddy summaryS 864 (New Jersey Senate Bill) allows municipalities to create a preference for first responders (firefighters, police, EMTs) in affordable housing projects. Specifically, it permits municipalities to reserve up to 50% of affordable units in a development for qualifying first responders who apply within the first 90 days of marketing. After this period, remaining units are available to the general public, and qualified first responders join a special waiting list for future vacancies. The bill amends existing housing law to add this preference option without changing how municipalities count these units toward their affordable housing requirements. This directly affects eligible first responders seeking affordable housing in participating municipalities.

Maddy summaryThis bill (S 1534) would increase New Jersey's annual property tax deduction for eligible senior citizens (65+) and permanently disabled residents from $250 to $500 per year. It directly affects low-income homeowners or tenant shareholders aged 65+ or disabled with annual income under $10,000 who own or reside in their primary home. The deduction amount would rise incrementally: $300 in 2023, $350 in 2024, $400 in 2025, $450 in 2026, and $500 starting in 2027. The change requires voter approval of a constitutional amendment before taking effect, as specified in the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners of decommissioned nuclear power plants containing unremoved spent nuclear fuel to make annual "community service payments" instead of property taxes. The payments start at the amount the plant owner paid in its last operational tax year, increasing by 2% each year, and are due annually by August 1. The municipality keeps the portion for local services and forwards the school district share within five business days. Payments continue until the spent nuclear fuel is safely removed, at which point the property returns to standard property tax assessment. The bill directly affects nuclear plant owners and supports local municipalities and school districts that lose tax revenue when plants become tax-exempt.

Maddy summaryThis bill, S 1884, exempts specific military-affiliated individuals from paying fees for hunting, fishing, trapping licenses, and State park/forest admissions in New Jersey. It directly affects: active NJ National Guard members (after training), NJ reserve unit members, active-duty military stationed in NJ (regardless of residency), disabled veterans (with VA service-connected disability), and retired NJ National Guard members. The law amends existing statutes to remove fee requirements for these groups, requiring the Division of Fish and Wildlife to define acceptable verification documents. It also mandates annual budget adjustments to cover lost license revenue from these exemptions.