Rep. Chris Barranco

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits New Jersey employers from requiring employees to attend or listen to workplace communications about political matters, including discussions about political parties, elections, labor organizations, or community activities. It expands existing law by explicitly adding labor organizations and activities to the definition of "political matters" and mandates employers to post a clear notice of these rights in visible workplace areas. Employees who face violations can sue within 90 days for remedies like reinstatement, back pay, or fines up to $5,000 for repeat offenses. The law directly affects all employers in New Jersey - such as businesses, state agencies, and local governments - and their employees.

Maddy summaryThis is a procedural resolution (not a bill) establishing a special committee. It creates the "Assembly Special Committee on Staten Island Annexation" with 12 members (6 appointed by the Assembly Speaker, 6 by the Minority Leader). The committee's sole purpose is to investigate New Jersey's historical, legal, and geographic claims to Staten Island - including colonial land grants, the 1834 boundary compact, and relevant case law - and to report on lawful avenues for annexation, subject to consent from Staten Island residents, New York State, and Congress. The committee must publish a final report after completing its work.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the "Motor Vehicle Open Recall Notice and Fair Compensation Act" to improve transparency around vehicle recalls and provide fair compensation for dealers. It requires motor vehicle dealers to check for open recalls on used vehicles using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website before sale, inform prospective buyers about any recalls found, and not sell vehicles subject to stop-sale or do-not-drive notices. Dealers must also provide the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission with lists of vehicles with long-unfixed recalls (six months or more), triggering the Commission to send official notices to vehicle owners. The bill also establishes compensation requirements for dealers when parts are unavailable for recalled vehicles, requiring 1.75 percent of the vehicle's value per month for used vehicles or the manufacturer's suggested retail price for new vehicles.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Farmland Assessment Review Commission within New Jersey's Department of Agriculture to annually review and recommend improvements to the state's farmland assessment program. The commission will evaluate eligibility requirements, funding mechanisms, inflation impacts, and potential conflicts with other land preservation programs to ensure fair, equitable, and uniform statewide application of the program. The commission, consisting of nine members including state officials and representatives from diverse regions and farming communities, will submit annual reports with recommendations to the Legislature. The Legislature must then review these recommendations and enact legislation to implement approved changes, ensuring farmland assessment benefits continue to be allocated fairly to properties meeting program requirements. This process aims to improve program clarity, consistency, and fairness for both landowners and taxpayers.

Maddy summaryNew Jersey's A5772, the "Uniform Electronic Wills Act," authorizes individuals to create legally valid wills using digital tools. The bill requires electronic wills to be readable text at signing, signed by the person making the will (or someone acting under their direction), and witnessed by two people physically present with them - remote witnessing is not permitted. It also establishes procedures for notarization, self-proving affidavits, and creating certified paper copies, while ensuring electronic wills are treated equally to paper wills under state law. The law applies immediately to wills of people who die after its effective date.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a new Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). It requires the DEP to develop a statewide plan mapping all abandoned mines, identifying the most dangerous sites (like those threatening structures or water quality), and creating a ranked list of reclamation projects. The program will use a new "Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program Fund" to finance projects - either through direct DEP action, grants to municipalities, or private landowners - without requiring property owners to pay. The fund will collect federal grants, state appropriations, and donations to address risks like mine subsidence and water degradation across the state.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $22,431,294 from the 2003 Dam, Lake and Stream Project Revolving Loan Fund and $6,239,630 from the 1992 Dam Restoration and Clean Water Trust Fund - totaling $28,670,924 - to provide loans for dam restoration and inland waters projects. The funds, drawn from unused monies due to project cancellations and repayments, directly support 17 specific projects, including repairs for private dams (like High Crest Lake Dam and Mountain Creek Lake Dam) and lake associations, as well as local government-owned dams. These loans finance restoration costs for dam owners, private lake associations, or local governments working together. The bill specifies that unexpended funds will return to the respective bond funds for future projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $28.67 million in unused funds from New Jersey's 2003 and 1992 bond acts to provide low-interest loans for dam restoration and inland waters projects. The funds specifically support 13 projects under the 2003 bond act (e.g., $3 million for Mountain Creek Lake Dam repairs) and 4 projects under the 1992 bond act (e.g., $2.85 million for Lake Garrison Dam). These loans are available to private dam owners, lake associations, or local governments for repairing aging infrastructure and maintaining water systems. The funding comes from existing bond program savings, cancellations, and loan repayments - no new taxes or spending are required. The bill directs the Department of Environmental Protection to disburse these funds for the listed projects only.

Maddy summaryThis bill would provide property tax rebates to New Jersey veterans with service-connected disabilities. Eligible veterans would receive a rebate equal to their disability percentage of the property taxes paid on their primary residence, with the rebate capped at $5,000 annually. The program is limited to veterans with gross income under $200,000 and does not apply to veterans already exempt from property taxes due to 100% disability ratings. Veterans would need to apply annually for the rebate, and funding would depend on annual legislative appropriations. The bill specifically targets veterans with less than 100% service-connected disability ratings who currently pay property taxes on their primary residence.

Maddy summaryThis resolution commemorates the 75th anniversary of the federal Sport Fish Restoration Program, established by the 1950 Dingell-Johnson Act. The program funds conservation and habitat restoration for sportfish populations using excise taxes paid by fishing and boating equipment users. New Jersey benefits from this program through restored fish populations (like striped bass and brook trout), improved habitats, and support for recreational fishing jobs. The resolution directs copies to New Jersey’s Division of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.