NJLM - April 2004 Legislative Bulletin

Legislative Bulletin
APRIL 2004

Assembly Bills

Senate Bills

New Publication!
2003 LAWS OF INTEREST TO
NEW JERSEY MUNICIPALITIES

Over 125 measures affecting municipal affairs became law during the final session of the 209th New Jersey Legislative term. For the tenth consecutive year, the League is publishing the complete text of these laws enacted.

Provides immediate access to enacted 2003 laws

Highly rated, quick reference desk copy

Invaluable asset for busy municipal officials

PRICE: $25.00 Members* $35.00 Non-Members
*Only municipalities (in the state of New Jersey) who are dues-paying members of the League may take advantage of the Member Price.

Click Here for Printable Order Form

You can order bill copies electronically by placing a check in the box to the left of the bill(s) you want to receive, then complete the recipient information form and press the Submit button at the bottom of this page. Please note this service is only available to League members.

SENATE BILLS
REQ.	BILL NO. AND SPONSOR	BILL SUMMARY	CURRENT STATUS	LEAGUE POSITION A-Approve O=Oppose
	S-452 Kean, Thomas H. Lesniak, Raymond J.	Permits State, counties, municipalities and boards of education to establish special pay plans under sections 401(a) and 403(b) of federal Internal Revenue Code.	Senate State Government Committee	A
	S-596 Sweeney, Stephen M. Rice, Ronald L.	Applies prevailing wage to custom fabrication of woodwork and plumbing, heating, cooling and ventilation or exhaust duct systems. Administratively burdensome and costly to apply prevailing *wage to work constructed off - site.*	2nd Reading in the Senate	O
	S-938 Ciesla, Andrew R.	Eliminates certain domestic product requirements from public contracting laws.	Senate State Government Committee	A
	S-1299 Martin, Robert J. Bucco, Anthony R.	Authorizes comparable sales as primary appraisal method for assessment of county or municipally owned watershed lands. This option presently available to assessors. This bill would *modify existing best practices.*	Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee	O
	S-1313 Vitale, Joseph F.	Defines "mobile home park" as "multiple dwelling" for inspection purposes.	Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee	A
	S-1329 Karcher, Ellen	Increases fines for violation of Open Public Meetings Act; provides for enforcement by certain parties. See A-2367	Senate State Government Committee	O
	S-1349 Connors, Leonard T.	Permits conversion of fines for violation of certain municipal ordinances into tax liens. Administratively unworkable.	Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee	O
	S-1350 Connors, Leonard T.	Limits materials which may be used in sewer systems, storm drains, and water retention and detention systems to noncombustible This is a commercial constraint and will drive up costs. No evidence to support contention that the materials this would prohibit are, when properly installed, dangerous.	Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee	O
	S-1364 Turner, Shirley K.	Increases annual property tax deduction for senior citizens and disabled persons from $250 to $500. Support of bill contingent on state reimbursement to towns.	Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee	A*
	S-1365 Smith, Bob	Prohibits DEP from approving any withdrawals from the escrow account of a landfill's previous operator without the prior consent of the municipality or public authority which currently owns or operates the landfill.	Senate Environment Committee	A
	S-1368 Sweeney, Stephen M. Madden, Fred H.	Provides for review of State agency regulations by State Planning Commission for their consistency with State Development and Redevelopment Plan. The League will support if the bill is amended to remove the veto power.	Senate State Government Committee	A*
	S-1427 Cunningham, Glenn D.	Authorizes local board of health to declare as a nuisance premises in which there have been multiple arrests for illegal sale or possession of drugs.	Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee	A

Return to Top

ASSEMBLY BILLS
REQ.	BILL NO. AND SPONSOR	BILL SUMMARY	CURRENT STATUS	LEAGUE POSITION A-Approve O=Oppose
	A-380 Cruz-Perez, Nilsa	Defines "mobile home park" as "multiple dwelling" for inspection purposes.	Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee	A
	A-1633 Chivukula, Upendra J. Egan, Joseph V. Manzo. Luis	Requires inventory of brownfield sites in the State.	2nd Reading in Assembly	A
	A-1966 Cohen, Neil M.	Provides that EMT training of volunteer EMTs on paid squads and volunteer firefighters are eligible for reimbursement from EMT Training Fund.	Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee	A
	A-1979 Smith, Robert J.	The "New Jersey Prescribed Burning Act."	Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee	A
	A-2197 Merkt, Richard A.	"Medical Savings Account Option Act" for SHBP.	Assembly State Government Committee	A
	A-2245 Merkt, Richard A.	Establishes Defined Contribution Public Employees' Retirement Program	Assembly State Government Committee	A
	A-2367 Panter, Michael J. Morgan Robert Lewis	Increases fines for violation of Open Public Meetings Act; provides for enforcement by certain parties. Imposes unreasonable standard of guilt on local volunteers. Encourages expensive and time consuming litigation. Allows inappropriate adjudication in municipal courts.	Assembly State Government Committee	O
	A-2369 Gusciora, Reed	Authorizes use of photo radar devices for enforcement purposes on certain local streets.	Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee	A
	A-2478 Chivukula, Upendra J.	Requires administrative fees of sewerage authorities to be based on usage. Local discretion in fee structure is preferred.	Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee	O
	A-2503 Baroni, Bill	Eliminates criteria qualified voter must meet to receive military or civilian absentee ballot; requires distribution and collection of civilian absentee ballots and applications at train stations. Administratively burdensome for distribution and collection at train stations.	Assembly State Government Committee	O
	A-2504 Baroni, Bill	Provides that certain absentee ballots will be counted if received within ten days of election. Could open election process to problems. Existing criteria sufficient.	Assembly State Government Committee	O
	A-2509 Diegnan, Patrick J. Chivukula, Upendra J.	Reduces the waiting period for a marriage license. Current 72 hours waiting period sufficient.	Assembly Judiciary Committee	O
	A-2514 Thompson, Samuel D.	Requires penalties to be levied against renters and homeowners who violate affordability controls on affordable housing units.	Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee	A
	A-2515 Hackett, Mims	Allows municipality in certain situations to ask CATV provider to offer reduction or discount in rates for CATV service for eligible senior and disabled citizens.	Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee	A
	A-2532 Manzo, Lewis	Authorizes local board of health to declare as a nuisance premises in which there have been multiple arrests for illegal sale or possession of drugs.	Assembly Health and Human Services Committee	A
	A-2535 Steele, Alfred E.	Permits State, counties, municipalities and boards of education to establish special pay plans under sections 401(a) and 403(b) of federal Internal Revenue Code.	Assembly State Government Committee	A
	A-2538 Chiappone, Anthony	Eliminates maximum age requirement for appointment as police officer or paid firefighter.	Assembly State Government Committee	A
	A-2545 Merkt, Richard A. McHose, Alison Little	Prohibits municipalities from adopting rent control ordinance; requires municipalities with rent control to submit 10-year phase out plan to the Department of Community Affairs. Violates home rule. Substitutes judgment of public servants on the scene with judgment of remote officials in the State House.	Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee	O
	A-2547 Cyran, Joseph	Authorizes municipal governing body to create and maintain list of municipal residents in need of special assistance in case of emergency for public safety purposes. Administratively burdensome and could expose municipality to variety of liability issues.	Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee	O
	A-2561 Chiappone, Anthony	Establishes the Municipal Court Study Commission. Unnecessary intrusion in local courts.	Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee	O
	A-2571 Greenwald, Louis D. Buzzichelli, John J .	Provides for review of State agency regulations by State Planning Commission for their consistency with State Development and Redevelopment Plan. The League will support if the bill is amended to remove the veto power.	Assembly State Government Committee	A*
	A-2573 Blee, Francis J. Conover, Kirk	Makes position of treasurer of school moneys optional. A municipal finance officer usually serves in this position. In this way, municipalities are provided a checks and balances system when school budgets are defeated.	Assembly Education Committee	O
	A-2596 Gusciora, Reed Watson Coleman, Bonnie	Requires local decision to revoke liquor license be accorded great weight in appeal proceeding	Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee	A
	A-2605 Stender, Linda Bramnick, Jon M.	Increases penalties for failing to yield at crosswalks by $50; dedicates extra money to DLPS pedestrian safety program. While League supports penalty increase, all funds must be disbursed directly to municipalities.	Assembly Transportation Committee	A*

Recipient Information

First Name	Last Name (required)

Street Address (required)

P.O. Box

City (required)	State (required)

Zip/Postal Code (required)	E-Mail Address (required)

Day Phone Number	Fax Number

You can now order bill copies electronically by placing a check in the box to the left of the bill(s) and pressing Please note this service is available to League members only.

It's easy and it's fast.
Or, just "Fax" your bill copy requests to: (609) 695-5156

(press to clear the choices and recipient information)

You can now view and print bills immediately by clicking on the
NJ STATE LEGISLATURE BILL ROOM

Please e-mail your questions to Bulletin Staff at the New Jersey State League of Municipalities

As Close As Your Telephone

There are no formal procedures involved in getting information or assistance from the League office. Merely telephone or write - whichever is more convenient. You will receive prompt, knowledgeable attention to your problem. And remember - dues which your municipality pays, entitle you to use the League's information services at no extra cost, with the exception of small charges for the magazine and special reports. The League was created to serve local officials. It is your organization, your partnership. Take advantage of your membership.

Return to Top