Oroho Bill to Permanently Establish NJ Hemp Program Passes Senate
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho (R- Sussex, Warren, Morris) that would permanently enact a State program to permit hemp growth for industrial use has passed the New Jersey Senate.
Sen. Steven Oroho’s legislation that would permanently enact a State program to permit hemp growth for industrial use has passed the Senate. (SenateNJ.com)
“The Garden State should do all that it can to grow and cultivate the hemp industry,” Oroho said. “This versatile and profitable plant will encourage new business development and boost the state’s economy. With burdensome federal regulations removed, New Jersey famers can greatly benefit from this potential billion dollar industry.”
Senate Passes 9th District Bill to Exempt Disabled Veterans From Paying for Beach Buggy Permits
The New Jersey Senate has passed legislation sponsored by District 9 legislators to exempt an eligible disabled veteran from any fee to obtain, replace, or renew a permit to operate a beach buggy.
The NJ Senate has passed legislation sponsored by District 9 legislators to exempt veterans from certain beach buggy fees. (©iStock)
The legislation was introduced by Senator Christopher Connors, Assemblyman Brian Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne Gove at the request of a constituent, who is a disabled veteran.
The 9th District Delegation issued the following statement regarding the Senate’s passage of their veterans-related initiative, S-1703:
“Exempting disabled veterans from paying for beach buggy permits is a small, yet meaningful gesture of appreciation to these brave individuals in recognition of their service and sacrifice for our nation.
Singer/Kean Bill to Change Code Blue to Better Protect NJ’s Homeless Passes Senate
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean expanding Code Blue protections to help local officials better care for the homeless during winter weather events has passed the State Senate.
Sens. Robert Singer and Tom Kean’s bill that would expand Code Blue to help local officials better care for the homeless during winter weather events has passed the Senate. (©iStock)
Currently, a Code Blue is triggered when temperatures drop to 32 degrees with precipitation, or 25 degrees with no precipitation. The bill advanced by the Senate, S-3422, would eliminate the 25 degree standard, so that a Code Blue would be triggered as soon as the temperature falls to 32 degrees, regardless of whether or not there is precipitation at the time.
Connors, Rumpf & Gove Praise Legislative Passage of Superstorm Sandy Foreclosure Assistance Bill
Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove today praised the final passage of legislation they sponsor to extend the mortgage forbearance and foreclosure assistance program for Superstorm Sandy victims.
District 9 legislators today praised the final passage of legislation they sponsor to extend the mortgage forbearance and foreclosure assistance program for Superstorm Sandy victims. Pictured: damage caused by the storm, (U.S. Air Force/Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen)
The deadline for reauthorization was set for July 1, which meant that without legislative action, the program would have expired. As the deadline drew near, Connors, Rumpf and Gove wrote a letter urging Legislative leaders to immediately post A-5096 and S-3582 for a vote, stressing the urgent need to ensure that Superstorm Sandy victims would continue receiving this critical form of assistance. The Senate passed the Senate version of their bill, S-3582, on June 20. The identical Assembly version of the bill passed the Assembly on March 25.
The Delegation has worked in conjunction with representatives of the New Jersey Organizing Project (NJOP) to advocate for this legislation, as well as a number of other efforts to aid Superstorm Sandy victims.
“As representatives of an area that was among the hardest hit by Sandy, we continue to work closely with constituents who are still coping with the catastrophic damage caused by the storm. Therefore, we completely understand how critical the mortgage forbearance and foreclosure assistance program is to Sandy victims, as well as to the overall rebuilding and recovery process.
Pennacchio’s Anti-Bullying Measure, Mallory’s Law, Passes Senate
Comprehensive legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-Essex, Morris, Passaic) and Senator Patrick Diegnan (D-Middlesex) to strengthen New Jersey’s anti-bullying laws has passed the New Jersey Senate. The bill is named in honor of Mallory Grossman, a twelve-year-old Rockaway resident who committed suicide in 2017 after being bullied.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio’s “Mallory’s Law” to toughen NJ’s anti-bullying laws has passed the Senate. Pictured: the Senate honors Mallory’s Army on Dec. 18, 2017 for its fight against bullying. (SenateNJ.com)
“Incidents of bullying should not be solely handled by the schools – the problem is much larger than that,” said Pennacchio. “Parents must be engaged in the process as well. This legislation standardizes the reporting process while increasing transparency and accountability at every level. There is no doubt that Mallory’s Law will go a long way to combating bullying in every school in New Jersey.”
Senate Passes Oroho’s Update to ‘Criminal Injuries Compensation Act of 1971’
Legislation modernizes 1971 law in order to better support crime victims and surviving loved ones
The New Jersey Senate has passed legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) to update the “Criminal Injuries Compensation Act of 1971,” in order to ensure that crime victims or their surviving loved ones receive the compensation and support they deserve.
Sen. Steven Oroho’s updates the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act of 1971, in order to ensure that crime victims or their surviving loved ones receive the compensation and support they deserve. (©iStock)
The 1971 law created an agency designed to award funds to victims to help them recover. As a result, the right to receive compensation became the first right legally provided to crime victims in New Jersey. The compensation is intended to cover costs such as counseling, funeral expenses, attorney fees, medical bills, and ongoing costs for rehabbing a catastrophic injury.
A 2018 investigation conducted by NJ Advance Media found that the agency is failing to meet the needs of those whose lives are forever changed by violence. For example, crime victims often struggle to cope with delayed responses to their claim applications. Some victims reported that the funding they received was not sufficient to meet their needs, and many were not even aware that help from the state is available. The maximum amount a crime victim can receive in compensation has not been updated in nearly 20 years.
Oroho Statement on State Budget Bill
Senator Steven V. Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris), Senate Republican Budget Officer, issued the following statement in response to the State Legislature passing the State Budget Bill today:
Statement from Senate Republican Budget Officer Steven Oroho on the State budget. (SenateNJ.com)
“A State Budget without tax increases is important for our economic brand and a win for taxpayers. Republicans have advocated against the tax hikes as Governor Murphy proposed in his budget document and we appreciate the Legislative Leadership for stripping them out of the Budget Bill as passed today. I would hope we continue with such fiscal restraint and start taking legislative action immediately on the Path To Progress recommendations to help systematically control government costs.
Health Committee Approves O’Scanlon Measure to Address Shortage of Advanced Life Support Units
Bill Would Boost Availability of Paramedics and Modernize Care
Legislation sponsored by Senator Declan O’Scanlon that would help address an acute shortage of Advanced Life Support (ALS) units statewide has been approved by the Senate Health, Human Services & Senior Citizens Committee.
Sen. Declan O’Scanlon’s legislation addressing an acute shortage of Advanced Life Support units statewide has been approved by the Senate Health Committee. (SenateNJ.com)
“We need to update the decades-old rules that prohibit us from utilizing our paramedic safety net in the most efficient way possible,” said O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth). “We’ve spent years examining the best practices from other states in consultation with our first responders to develop a modern plan to improve emergency medical care and response in our communities. We have developed a plan that will put more units into service, while maintaining the quality of care, and creating career advancement opportunities for paramedics and other medical first responders.”
Singer Bill to Help Battle Opioid Overdose Epidemic Passes Health Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senator Robert Singer that would help local officials to better understand and prevent the circumstances that lead to fatal drug overdoses has been approved by the Senate Health, Human Services & Senior Citizens Committee.
The Senate Health Committee has approved Sen. Bob Singer’s legislation to help local officials better understand and prevent the circumstances that lead to fatal drug overdoses. (©iStock)
“The opioid epidemic is like nothing we’ve ever seen, and we continue to lose lives to overdose at a sickening pace,” said Singer (R-Monmouth, Ocean). “We’ve learned that there is no simple fix that will stop this. We need to bring together experts from many fields to develop a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to both deter and treat drug abuse before it’s too late.”
Corrado Bill to Boost Investment in NJ’s Innovation Economy Advances
Legislation sponsored by Senator Kristin Corrado that would boost investment in emerging technology start-ups in New Jersey was advanced by the Senate Economic Growth and Senate Budget & Appropriations committees today.
Sen. Kristin Corrado’s legislation that would boost investment in emerging technology start-ups in New Jersey was advanced by the Senate Economic Growth Committee. (Pixabay)
“New Jersey has one of the most highly educated workforces in the nation,” said Corrado (R-40). “What we’re missing is a tax environment that encourages investors to put that talent to work in new tech businesses right here in the Garden State. This legislation helps fix that. I want to thank Assemblyman DePhillips for taking the lead on this important effort.”
