Legislative Update 11/17/15

Senate Economic Growth Committee S-3182 Vote: Lesniak, Raymond J. (C) - Abstain; Cruz-Perez, Nilsa (VC) - Yes; Kyrillos, Joseph M. - Not Voting; Oroho, Steven V. - Yes; Whelan, Jim  - Yes

Senate Economic Growth Committee S-726/S-1257 Vote: Lesniak, Raymond J. (C) - Yes; Cruz-Perez, Nilsa (VC) - Yes; Kyrillos, Joseph M. - Not Voting; Oroho, Steven V. - Yes; Whelan, Jim - Yes

Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee A-4521 Vote: Johnson, Gordon M. (C) - Yes; Caride, Marlene (VC) - Not Voting; Benson, Daniel R. - Yes; Bucco, Anthony M. - Not Voting; DeCroce, BettyLou - Yes; Mosquera, Gabriela M. - Yes; Mukherji,　Raj - Yes; Munoz, Nancy F. - Yes; Oliver, Sheila Y. - Not Voting; Pintor Marin, Eliana - Yes

Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee A-4763 Vote: Spencer, L. Grace. (C) - Yes; Benson, Daniel R. - Yes; Lampitt, Pamela R. - Yes; Rumana, Scott T. - No; Tucker Cleopatra G. - Yes; Wolfe, David W. - Abstain  

Condemns DEP Proposal - SCR-180 (Lesniak/D-20; Smith/D-17; Greenstein/D-14)/ACR-249 (McKeon/D-27; Spencer/D-29): Assembly committee passed. Senate passed 24-13. The State Chamber does not agree with the resolution that states that the DEP's proposal to revise Flood Hazard Area Control Act Rules, Coastal Zone Management Rules, and Stormwater Management Rules is inconsistent with legislative intent. The proposal is positive and maintains the DEP's intent on easing regulatory burdens by clarifying and consolidating many sections of the rules. The State Chamber opposes this concurrent resolution and believes the more transparent and inclusive the DEP can be when developing regulations, the better the result will be for the public, the environment and for the regulated community. Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Priority Consideration for Green Building - A-2580 (Mukherji/D-33; Pintor Marin/D-29; Muoio/D-15): Senate committee passed. Directs the Department of Community Affairs, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Transportation, and municipal agencies to give priority consideration to permit applications for green building projects. Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

"New Jersey Secure Choices Act" - A-4275 (Prieto/D-32; Eustace/D-38; Lagana/D-38; Greenwald/D-6; Quijano/D-20; Danielsen/D-17; Mukherji/D-33): Assembly committee passed. Creates a retirement savings program for private sector workers in the form of an automatic enrollment, payroll-deduction Individual Retirement Account (IRA). This legislation requires businesses who do not offer retirement savings accounts with less than 25 employees to allow enrollment in a state-facilitated savings plan. While the State Chamber recognizes the importance of individuals establishing a retirement fund, we have concerns that the overall bill is a mandate on the employer community. The State Chamber will continue to work with the sponsors and legislative staff to secure further amendments to make the legislation voluntary and more palatable to our small business members.  Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Urges Overregulation of the Petroleum Industry - AR-257 (Muoio/D-15; Spencer/D-29): Assembly committee passed. This resolution urges Congress to enact legislation that imposes greater safety requirements regarding the shipment of crude oil by rail. The State Chamber is concerned the resolution is prescriptive and it will make it difficult for producers/refiners to transport crude oil.  Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.