LEAGUE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
June 26, 2007
PENSION, PERSONNEL and ELECTIONS
Dep. Chair; Nick Costa Staff: Deborah Cole
Assembly:
A-164 Requires police departments and parole boards to adopt maternity policies.
Opposed Not necessary.
A-4351 Authorizes automatic expungement of law enforcement officers’ records when not guilty of criminal charges filed in course of official duties.
Opposed Procedure exists to expunge record.
A-4376 Prohibits local government agency from employing person on paid leave from local government agency of another county or municipality.
Hold Need interpretation of “paid leave” as it relates to this legislation
A-4398 Grants members of Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) immunity from civil liability when responding to an emergency.
Approved Incentive to volunteer
A-4414 Provides that State pay healthcare coverage for certain survivors of members of PFRS and SPRS
Opposed Until there is parody in all pension systems
GENERAL LEGISLATION
Chair: Deputy Mayor Louise Wilson Staff: Jon Moran
ASSEMBLY
A-4053 Regulates certain tows and requires licensure of towing companies
Opposed Clarification and review needed
A-4266 Permits waiving of illegal parking charges in certain cases
Opposed Not necessary
A-4275 Allows certain law enforcement officers to photograph motor vehicle operators upon issuance of citation.
Approved Permissive
A-4367 Requires cigarette receptacles to be placed at entrances of buildings in which smoking is prohibited.
Opposed Not necessary
A-4415 Requires AG to develop mandatory guidelines for municipal prosecutors and to develop a computer system for use.
Opposed Access to computer system exists.
SENATE
S-2707 Permits bond ordinance to be adopted by affirmative votes of simple majority of local governing body.
Opposed Obligation of debt requires majority of membership.
GENERAL LEGISLATION ………..continued
S-2802 Bars companies which hire illegal aliens from public contracts, grants, tax incentives or loans for seven years.
Opposed Not necessary, checks and balances already in use.
S-2831 Requires affirmative vote of majority of full members of municipal council form of government to approve contracts.
Opposed Special Legislation
LAND USE, ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Chair: Stu Koenig Staff: Mike Cerra
A-4197 Authorizes Commissioner of Transportation to extend current ban on large trucks outside of national Network to 96-inch wide trucks.
Approved
A-4282 Clarifies authority of municipalities to utilize zoning authority to regulate billboards or outdoor advertising bearing commercial advertisements.
Approved
SENATE
Review SCS for S-2053 and S-2368 Authorizes certain local units to develop broadband telecommunications infrastructure used for providing broadband telecommunications service via wireless community networks.
Conditionally Approved
S-2123 Establishes pi lot program for traffic control signal monitoring system
Conditionally Approved
TAXATION and FINANCE
Chair: Joe Bellina Sstaff: Helen Yeldell
ASSEMBLY
A-4290 Sets standards regarding New Jersey Transit Corporation contracts privatizing public transit services.
Opposed Future difficulties forseen
A-4302 Provides for development of universal public procurement application for use by public entities at all levels of government; provides for collaboration to streamline procurement application process.
Opposed
A-4356 Eliminates procedure by which taxpayer may appeal assessed value of property directly to the State Tax Court.
Opposed Property in excess of $750,000 would apply. Could be costly to municipalities.
A-4357 Eliminates procedure for guaranteed energy savings contracts by governmental entities.
Hold Needs clarification
A-4378 Returns pension loan interest in TPAF, PERS, PFRS and SPRS to fixed 4%
Opposed
TAXATION and FINANCE ………..Continued
A-4384 Requires local public contracts to contain provision for re-negotiation upon key construction material’s price changed based on recognized industry price index.
Opposed Benchmarks currently exist. Could be difficult to monitor.
A-4393 Requires certain public contract bid advertisements to contain certified cost estimates of projected contract costs and specifies grounds for rejection of all bills.
Opposed
SENATE
S-2183 Imposes conditions on contracts for collection, treatment or disposal of sewage by sewerage authorities.
Opposed
S-2699 The “Foreclosure Consulting and Anti-Fraud Act”
Hold Need clarification and review
S-2808 Clarifies intent and effect of requirements of P.L. 2004, c.183 with respect to historic site real property tax exemption.
Approved
NEXT SCHEDULED MEETING – OCTOBER 2007
LEAGUE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
March 27, 2007
LAND USE, ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:
Chair: Stu Koenig Staff: Mike Cerra
ASSEMBLY:
A-1429 –Requires all pools, spas & hot tubs to comply with barrier requirements of State Uniform Construction Code.
Opposed Financial burden on community
A-2926 – Requires refund of application fee to persons exempt from Highlands Water Protection & Planning Act.
Approved
A-3883 – Prohibits BPU from exercising authority over utility service extensions in manner which creates cost differentials that distinguish among persons or localities based on location of such extensions.
Hold Not enough information, need clarification
A-4005 – Authorizes COAH to credit municipalities’ fair share affordable housing obligations with certain housing units occupied by employees of the State or regional cultural center located within 3000 feet of housing units.
Opposed Creating new class of “eligibles”. Rules already in place.
A-4052 – Authorizes municipalities that receive certification pursuant to Fair Housing Act to make affordable housing units available on preferential basis to persons of low & moderate income employed in municipality’s housing region.
Opposed Creating new class of “eligibles”. Rules already in place.
A-4116 – Establishes qualifications for zoning enforcement officers.
Opposed Stringent level, no grand fathering , costly.
SENATE:
S-2511 – Authorizes construction of curb extensions for pedestrian safety on local roadways without Commissioner of Transportation's approval.
Opposed Can be done already.
S-2549 – Authorizes municipalities to adopt ordinances requiring maintenance and repair of certain wharves, piers, docks and bulkheads.
Approved Helps towns
S-2554 – Changes effective date of section 2 of P.L.2007, c.1 concerning the issuance of construction permits for certain child care centers and schools.
Holding Need more information
TAXATION and FINANCE:
Chair: Joe Bellina Staff: Helen Yeldell
New Bills:
ASSEMBLY:
A-2551 – Permits price adjustments in local public contracts for asphalt cement and fuel.
Opposed Has merit, but administrative problem.
A-3190 – Permits a local realty transfer fee on property located in cities of the first class.
Opposed Good concept, but excludes to many other towns.
TAXATION and FINANCE - continued:
A-3782 – Requires weekly reporting of construction and building permit approvals to municipal tax assessor.
Opposed Can be done now.
A-3820 – Exempts local government units from supplemental titling fees on passenger automobiles they purchase or lease.
Approved
A-3872 –Authorizes certain water commission to administer a franchise fee and distribute proceeds to commissioner’s owner municipalities.
Opposed Only affects certain entity. Question on fees
A-3999 – Requires electronic bulletin board on DCA website for State independent authorities to advertise shared services opportunities, and development of computerized survey to match State independent authorities with each other and with local units for shared services.
Opposed Not necessary
A-4073 – Creates surcharge to fund court security.
Opposed Defrays cost – would prefer monies go to local community not county.
A-4095 – Authorizes reimbursement for EMT training from EMT Training Fund for certain volunteer firefighters.
Approved
SENATE:
S-2509 – Maintains property tax exemption of non-profit organizations like Boys Scouts if organization manifests intent to reconstruct its demolished, damaged, or destroyed building.
Opposed Concept good, but a) no time limit b) should not be limited to special groups.
S-2617 – Increases contribution limit by counties and municipalities to volunteer first aid, ambulance and rescue squads.
Opposed Puts governing body in bad position of denying request.
SCR-129 - Proposes constitutional amendment to prohibit the creation of new local taxing districts after January 1, 2008.
Opposed
PENSION, PERSONNEL and ELECTIONS:
Deputy Chair: Nick Costa Staff: David Harkness
ASSEMBLY:
A-3829 – Requires Department of Health and Senior Services to develop plan to eliminate municipal health boards and establish county-based health system.
Approved Study only
A-3959 – Expands polling place hours by one hour in the evening.
Opposed Could impact source of poll workers. Creates difficulties and undo hardships on municipal staff, and financial impact on municipalities.
A-3966 - Increases fee law enforcement agencies may charge for certain copies of motor vehicle accident reports.
Opposed Current fees should prevail and attempt should be made to make costs uniform.
A-4035 – Permits voter registration up to 29 days before an election; reduces polling place hours by one hour in the morning. Hold Need clarification on “registration” |
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A-4039 – Provides additional retirement benefits for certain police and firefighter members of PFRS.
Opposed To costly. Sets precedence.
SENATE:
S-2351 – Provides surviving spouses of certain fire and police personnel who die in line of duty with workers' compensation for entire period of survivorship.
Opposed Current benefit mechanism in place.
S-2603 – Specifies special law enforcement officers wear same uniform as regular police in municipality but with specially designed shoulder insignia.
Hold What is purpose? Why?
S-2612 – Defines compensation for calculation of PERS contributions and benefits as amount taxed for Social Security purposes for new members.
Opposed S17 (approved by Senate) has provision. This is not necessary.
GENERAL LEGISLATION:
Chair: Deputy Mayor Louise Wilson Staff: Jon Moran
ASSEMBLY:
A-3433 – Expands number of salesrooms winery may operate from six to seven; permits sampling of wine at salesrooms and permits wineries to sell wine at certain farm markets.
No Action No effect on municipality.
A-3733 – Requires local officer or employee employed by more than one local unit to submit combined timesheet to discourage double billing; increases certain fraud penalties; establishes biometric fingerprint scanner grant program.
Opposed Criminal penalties in place.
A-3939 – Requires law enforcement officer give certain information to next of kin of relatives killed or incapacitated in motor vehicle accident; caps certain abandoned storage fees.
Approved
A-3972 – Prohibits simultaneous holding of certain State, county and municipal elective and appointive positions.
No position to be taken on this bill.
A-4025 – Creates new alcoholic beverage license for facilities that teach winemaking. No Action Clarify intent A-4081 – Requires all elected or appointed members of a local governing body to receive budget and fiscal affairs training. Hold Concept good , but legislation has flaws. |
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SENATE
S-2229 – Permits title insurance companies and agents to offer certain inducements in connection with the business of title insurance.
No Action
S-2359 – Authorizes New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority to obtain Class C plenary retail consumption license to provide alcoholic beverages at off-track wagering facilities.
Opposed
S-2492 – Amends Tort Claims Act concerning liability for discretionary acts.
Approved
S-2536 – Revises laws for the regulation of massage, bodywork and somatic therapists.
Opposed Supercedes all municipal regulations.
S-2599 - Requires local government officer to file financial disclosure statement within 30 days of taking office.
Approved Provided amended to require notice from Clerk and change to 90 days.
APRIL 25th MEETING CANCELLED
NEXT MEETING – May 23, 2007
LEAGUE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
SIXTH MEETING
October 25, 2006
LAND USE, ENVIRONMENT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:
Chair: Stu Koenig Staff: Mike Cerra
Assembly:
A-2227 – Requires State to hold local public hearing prior to State, county, or nonprofit organization acquiring and preserving any open space in already substantially preserved municipalities.
Approved Approve intent – should be broader
A-2589 – Provides for the licensure of tree experts and tree care operators, and the registration of their employers.
Opposed Making statute more complicated.
A-3336 – Requires State to hold local public hearing prior to any major development for recreation and conservation purposes at a State park.
Hold Need clarification on “major development”
Senate:
S-1868 – Shortens time periods for adverse possession, clarifies statutes, and repeals N.J.S.2A:14-30 and N.J.S.2A:14-31.
Continue Refer to Attorney for clarification
S-2151 – Requires affordable housing be built to green building standards, requires Commissioner of Community Affairs to issue standards.
Opposed Confusing. Impacts cost of Affordable Housing.
S-2152 – Requires promulgation of green building Subcode under State Uniform Construction Code.
Continued Understand the bill has been changed.
S-2154 - Authorizes DCA to enhance sub code adopted pursuant to the State Uniform Construction Code Act based on anticipated energy savings to consumers.
Opposed Adds confusion to existing legislation
TAXATION and FINANCE:
Chair: Joe Bellina Staff: Helen Yeldell
Assembly:
A-55 – Requires increased public disclosure of certain local and school district budget information.
Approved Much discussion. Intent of bill is good. Some language needs to be changed. State Mandate State Pay issue.
A-896 – "Historic Property Reinvestment Act"; provides credits against certain taxes for certain costs of rehabilitating historic properties.
Approved
A-3463 – Supplemental appropriation of $200 million to Division of Local Government Services in DCA to fund Tax Rate Reduction Award Program.
Opposed Only helps down under 30,000 population
A-3492 – Dedicates CATV company franchise fee payments to property tax reduction, and to municipal utility and law enforcement costs.
Opposed
A3581 - Requires electronic bulletin board on DCA website for local units to advertise shared services opportunities; requires development of computerized survey to match local units together to implement shared services.
Opposed Information already exists.
A3611 - Lowers maximum interest rate that municipalities can charge on first $1,500 of unpaid municipal taxes, assessments, liens or other charges.
Opposed
A3612 – Lowers maximum interest rate that municipalities can charge on unpaid municipal taxes, assessments, liens or other charges over $1,500.
Opposed
A3614 - Eliminates notice and reporting requirements imposed on municipal tax assessors during property re-assessment.
Approved Enhances ability of Assessor on equalization of values.
Senate:
S2086 – Concerns development subsidies and employment of undocumented aliens.
Opposed To large an issue for this committee to address.
S-2221 – Extends temporary local budget cap exceptions and school district budget cap adjustments for certain insurance, security, and public safety costs.
Approved
S-2227 – Exempts handicapped spots from meters or fees.
Opposed
S-2258 – Requires contracting units to credit contractors with interest earned on certain funds withheld from payments to contractors.
Opposed
PENSION, PERSONNEL and ELECTIONS:
Chair: Lewis Thompson Staff: David Harkness
WATCH THIS BILL…………….
A-1990– (Also referred to General Legislation) Permits publication of legal notices by governments and individuals on official government website instead of newspaper.
Please submit your comments on this bill so that we may forward same to DCA and NJLOM.
Respond to boroclerk@aol.com
HOLD Needs more work ….. good concept but too many kinks to work out.
A3363 – Requires DOP to generate compensation guidelines to help counties and municipalities determine appropriate pay for various positions.
Opposed State municipalities are to diversified to establish “guideline”
A3542 - Increases dog licensing fees; establishes sterilization and animal control program.
Opposed Potential for mistakes. Infringement of Rights. Affects local authority.
A3610 - Designated “Kevin’s Law” ; allows municipalities to provide increased survivor pensions for certain volunteer emergency workers and requires municipalities to provide health and life insurance coverage to volunteer firefighters.
Opposed Cost prohibitive
Senate:
S-2177 – Prohibits payments of public employee bonuses not directly contingent upon achieving certain performance goals.
Opposed Not clear on intent!. Municipal employees do not get bonuses.
S-2199 – Requires written notice to be provided to county health departments and certified local health agencies concerning contaminated sites.
Approved Good Legislation
S-2205 – Requires health insurers and SHBP to provide certain mental health benefits for eating disorders under same terms and conditions as for other illnesses and diseases.
Opposed
S-2209 – Provides certain law enforcement officers cannot be suspended without pay for more than 120 calendar days.
No Action
S-2214 – Exempts emergency medical technicians from provisional license requirement when operating a vehicle in their official capacity.
Opposed Legislation presently in place is sufficient. No exemptions should be permitted. Exposure to Liability is very high.
GENERAL LEGISLATION:
Chair: Mayor Louise Wilson Staff: Jon Moran
Assembly:
Referred to Taxation:
A-55 – Requires increased public disclosure of certain local and school district budget information.
Approved Much discussion. Intent of bill is good. Some language needs to be changed. State Mandate State Pay issue.
A-1990– (Also referred to Pension & Personnel. Permits publication of legal notices by governments and individuals on official government website instead of newspaper.
Please submit your comments on this bill so that we may forward same to DCA and NJLOM.
Respond to boroclerk@aol.com
HOLD Needs more work ….. good concept but too many kinks to work out.
A-3392 – Specifies motor vehicle fines from tickets issued by State Police providing rural patrol be paid to municipality, not State.
No Action
A3558 - Requires selection process to fill vacancy in municipal governing body, and vote to do so, to occur at open public meeting thereof.
Opposed
A3563 - Requires Attorney General to defend certain local law enforcement officers.
Approved
SENATE:
S-1515 – Restricts large trucks to certain highway networks.
Hold Language changes needed.
S-1561 – Requires that the members of a housing authority must reside in the municipality in which the housing authority was created.
Approved Consistent with other board appointments
S-2245 – Requires additional notices to governmental agencies upon termination of utility services to residential customers.
Approved
S-2248 – Establishes criminal penalties and debars certain employers from public work for misclassifying construction workers as independent contractors.
Approved
THIS WAS THE LAST MEETING OF THE LEAGUE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE FOR 2006
LEAGUE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
FIFTH MEETING
SEPTEMBER 29, 2006
DRAFT
GENERAL LEGISLATION: Chair: Mayor Louise Wilson - Staff: Jon Moran
Assembly:
Request for Reconsideration:
A-2879– Directs AG to develop mandatory guidelines for municipal prosecutors. |
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New Bills:
A-251 – Authorizes mayor's membership on authorities created by municipality.