Kean & Corrado Measure to Detect Deadly Fentanyl in Street Drugs Clears Committee
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Senator Kristin Corrado sponsor legislation that would establish a program to detect fentanyl in the illegal drug supply. The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee today approved the measure (A5445/S3909).
Senators Kean and Corrado sponsor a bill to establish a program to detect the presence of deadly fentanyl in the illegal drug supply.
The bill would require the attorney general to establish a program to test for fentanyl in all controlled dangerous substances seized by police in the state.
“The severity of this crisis demands action, and I am pleased the committee took up this bill today,” said Kean (R-24). “With the information we learn from this program, we can better understand where fentanyl is most common and which neighborhoods and towns face the greatest risks. The testing could help police track the sources of the deadly drugs and get them off the streets.”
Corrado Bills to Assist Military Personnel Advances
A series of bills sponsored by Senator Kristin Corrado to benefit military members in New Jersey has advanced.
A series of bill sponsored by Sen. Kristin Corrado to benefit military members in New Jersey has advanced. (©iStock)
The first bill, S-3830, would allow New Jersey state employees who serve in the Reserves or National Guard to use paid military leave for their required inactive duty training or any other regularly scheduled required training. Inactive duty training refers to the “one weekend a month” drill training for members of the National Guard and Reserve.
“Members of our Armed Forces can be beckoned to serve our country at a moment’s notice,” said Corrado (R-40). “Reservists and National Guard personnel with civilian jobs work hard to keep their military skills sharp through monthly weekend drills with their unit. Ensuring public employees can use their paid military leave for all required military training is the right and patriotic thing to do.”
Singer Bill to Boost Career Opportunities for Military Spouses Advances
Senator Robert Singer’s legislation to waive occupational licensing fees for active-duty military spouses has unanimously advanced in the Senate Military and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
Sen. Robert Singer’s legislation to waive occupational licensing fees for active-duty military spouses has unanimously advanced. (Wikimedia Commons)
“The transient nature of military life creates many career-building obstacles for active-duty spouses,” said Singer (R-30). “Licensing costs alone can be a barrier to job entry, especially for spouses who are repeatedly relocated between duty stations across the nation and across the world. Waiving fees for occupational licensure will help spouses secure meaningful employment and make life a little easier for military families in New Jersey.”
Oroho’s Initiative to Help Prevent Police Suicide Advances
Senator Steven Oroho’s legislation to help prevent law enforcement suicide has advanced in the Law and Public Safety Committee.
Senator Steven Oroho’s legislation to help prevent law enforcement suicide has advanced. (Flickr)
“Just as the public often needs the help of the police, our brave police officers need our help, too,” said Oroho (R-24). “Our nation’s law enforcement run to confront danger as others flee, often being put in physically, emotionally, and mentally challenging situations. Prioritizing their psychological health and well-being by providing resiliency training is an important step to ensure we are there for our law enforcement community when they need it most.”
Panel Clears Bateman Bill to Give Judiciary Seat on State Investment Council
The Judicial Retirement System would have a representative on the State Investment Council under a bill sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman and advanced today by the Senate State Government Committee.
The Judicial Retirement System, under legislation sponsored by Sen. Kip Bateman, would be represented on the State Investment Council. (SenateNJ.com)
Bateman’s bill (S3871) would increase the council to 16 members with the addition of a board of trustees member from the judicial system (JRS). The council includes one member each from the boards of the Public Employees’ Retirement System and the Teachers’ Pension and Annuity Fund.
Bateman Bill Targeting Ozone-Depleting HFCs Advances
Legislation banning the sale or installation of equipment containing greenhouse gases, sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman, passed the Senate Environment and Energy Committee today.
Sen. Bateman sponsors legislation to prohibit hydrofluorocarbons and other gases that threaten the ozone and transition the State to less harmful alternatives. (©iStock)
The bipartisan bill (S3919) prohibits hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and other gases that threaten the ozone, transitioning the State to less harmful alternatives.
Bateman Measure to Rescue Recycling from Landfills Clears Environment Panel
The Senate Environment Committee approved legislation sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman that would establish a council to make recommendations for the future of recycling in New Jersey.
The Recycling Market Development Council would be created by Sen. Bateman’s legislation to analyze the market and make recommendations for the future of recycling in New Jersey. (SenateNJ.com)
The bill (S3939/S3944) would establish a Recycling Market Development Council to analyze the market for recycling and consider strategies to increase the use of collected recyclables in the manufacture of new products.
“There have been significant changes in the recycling market around the globe, and the impact is being felt here throughout our counties and towns,” said Bateman (R-16). “The public has been so effective and committed to recycling that supply now exceeds demand. The imbalance results in warehouses overflowing with paper, cans, bottles and plastic. Eventually, material once saved from landfills eventually ends up going there anyway. We need to find a solution.”
Bateman Measure Providing Loans for Clean Water Infrastructure Advances
More than 180 clean water projects would receive low-interest funding in legislation sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman. The Senate Environment and Energy Committee today approved the bill (S4202).
Sen. Bateman’s legislation authorizes $1.5 billion in low-interest loans for more than 180 clean water projects. (Pixabay)
The measure authorizes the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (NJIB) to expend more than $1.5 billion for loans for projects on the Storm Sandy and State Fiscal Year 2020 Clean Water Project Eligibility List and the Storm Sandy and State Fiscal Year 2020 Drinking Water Project Eligibility List.
Corrado Bill Accrediting Fire Academy Classes Advances
Senator Kristin Corrado’s legislation to help firefighters use their academy training to earn college credits advanced in the Senate Higher Education Committee.
Sen. Kristin Corrado’s legislation to help firefighters use their academy training to earn college credits advanced. (Pixabay)
“Firefighters-in-training gain valuable experience throughout their fire academy classes that hold the same weight as college courses,” said Corrado (R-40). “Accrediting fire service training opens the door to career advancement, creating a clear path to a fire science bachelor’s degree. This will allow professional firefighters to better understand how to address hazards, properly manage emergencies, appropriately coordinate fire responses, and increase their knowledge of building construction. Ensuring four-year state colleges will award these credits is a common-sense move to help firefighters climb the career ladder and better protect New Jersey residents, property, and the community at large.”
O’Scanlon: Recreational Marijuana Legalization Should Be Decided by Voters
Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) today released the following statement regarding his position on a lame duck vote on marijuana legalization:
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon said the Legislature should abandon efforts to move legalization legislation during the lame duck session and commit to sending the question to voters. (Pixabay)
“It’s time to end the mixed message being sent to the public, the industry, law enforcement, and both opponents and supporters of marijuana legalization. We should abandon efforts to move legalization legislation during the lame duck session and firmly commit to sending the question to voters. To be clear, I will be a firm vote against any form of legalization legislation until and unless voters have voted in favor of legalization.
“My reasoning for taking this position is several fold. First, I believe a commitment was essentially made this past spring, following the debate and failed vote at the time, that this issue would be put to the voters.
