Kean Bill Protecting Patients of Rare Diseases Clears Senate
Medical Conditions Can Increase Vulnerability to COVID
The Senate approved legislation (S-2682) sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean that would establish the New Jersey Rare Disease Advisory Council to ensure those suffering from unusual conditions receive suitable care.
The Senate approved legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean that would establish the New Jersey Rare Disease Advisory Council to ensure those suffering from unusual conditions receive suitable care. (Flickr)
Doctors have identified more than 7,000 relatively unknown and difficult to diagnose rare diseases, and there is increasing concern that many of these relatively unknown illnesses can make victims more susceptible to the coronavirus.
TOMORROW (3/26): Independent Hearing to Examine Gov. Murphy’s Mismanagement of Unemployment System During Pandemic
Senate and Assembly Republicans will hold an independent hearing virtually on Friday, March 26 to examine Governor Phil Murphy’s mismanagement of New Jersey’s unemployment insurance system during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senate and Assembly Republicans will hold an independent hearing on Friday, March 26 to examine Gov. Phil Murphy’s mismanagement of New Jersey’s unemployment insurance system during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Watch on Facebook Live)
WHO: Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26), Senator Kristin Corrado (R-40), Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-13), Senator Michael Testa (R-1), Senator Holly Schepisi (R-39), Assemblywoman Aura Dunn (R-25), Assemblyman Gerry Scharfenberger (R-13), and invited guests.
WHAT: Virtual hearing to examine Gov. Phil Murphy’s mismanagement of New Jersey’s unemployment insurance system during the COVID-19 pandemic.
WHEN: TOMORROW, Friday, March 26 at 10 a.m.
WHERE: A video livestream of the hearing will be accessible to the public and press via Facebook Live. Click here for the event page. You do not need a Facebook account to watch.
Holzapfel, McGuckin and Catalano Bill Package to Ease Burdens on Restaurants and Bars has Passed the Assembly
A package of bills to help ease the burdens of restaurants trying to navigate COVID-19 regulations and restrictions has been approved by the Assembly.
A package of bills sponsored by the LD10 lawmakers to help ease the burdens of restaurants trying to navigate COVID-19 regulations and restrictions was advanced by the Assembly. (FB/Morristown Partnership)
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and John Catalano are co-sponsors of these bills that allow food and beverage establishments to better protect their employees and customers while remaining open for business.
Bateman Bill Enhancing Online Public Access to BPU Records Heads to Governor’s Desk
Legislation sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman that would establish an online electronic public records access service on the Board of Public Utilities’ web site was approved by the Senate and now awaits consideration by the Governor.
The Board of Public Utilities would be required to provide online public access to records of public meetings and hearings under a bill sponsored by Sen. Kip Bateman. (SenateNJ.com)
The bill bipartisan bill, A-4556/4145/S-2611, requires Board of Public Utilities to utilize the access service to provide advance notice of every public meeting and hearing conducted by the board seven days prior to the meeting date.
Bateman Bill Pours Solid Foundation for Reducing Carbon Emissions
Senator Kip Bateman has a concrete solution for reducing carbon in the atmosphere, and his legislation was endorsed today by the Senate.
The Senate cleared Sen. Kip Bateman’s bill that would reduce carbon in the atmosphere by requiring developers to offer a more environmentally friendly concrete product as an option in new construction. (©iStock)
Bateman’s bill, S-3901, requires developers to offer a more environmentally friendly concrete product as an option in new construction.
Senate Advances O’Scanlon Measure Clearing Barriers for School Districts Contemplating Consolidation
Senator Declan O’Scanlon’s bill that would ease barriers deterring school districts from considering consolidation plans cleared the Senate today.
Without forcing any districts to merge, Sen. Declan O’Scanlon sponsors legislation that would ease barriers deterring school districts from considering consolidation plans. (SenateNJ.com)
“Consolidation does not work in every case, but some districts in the state have identified both financial and educational benefits from merging,” said O’Scanlon (R-16). “This bill would not force schools to consolidate, but it removes some of the impediments that can prevent districts from proceeding with plans that can benefit both taxpayers and students.”
Bucco & O’Scanlon: Bill Headed to Governor’s Desk is a Band-Aid that Fails to Address More Serious Problems with New Marijuana Laws
If juveniles are caught with marijuana or alcohol, parents would be notified in writing by the police under A-5472/S-3565, a bipartisan bill approved by the Senate today and destined for the Governor’s desk for consideration. The measure would remedy a portion of the statute preventing law enforcement officers from informing parents when a minor child is caught unlawfully using or possessing alcohol or a marijuana product, allowing parents to be notified in writing upon the first violation and each subsequent violation.
Sen. Anthony M. Bucco and Sen. Declan O’Scanlon said legislation restoring parental notifications for a child’s marijuana violations fails to address complications in cannabis laws which could brand law enforcement officers as criminals for minor procedural gaffes committed during interactions with minors. (Pixabay)
While Republican sponsors of the legislation, Senator Anthony M. Bucco and Senator Declan O’Scanlon support the change, they say it fails to address impractical complications in the laws which could brand law enforcement officers as criminals for minor procedural gaffes committed during interactions with minors.
Oroho & Singleton Bill to Help Bring High Speed Internet to Rural and Low-Income Communities Moves to Governor’s Desk
Legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho and Senator Troy Singleton that would help pave the way for high-speed broadband internet access in forgotten areas across the state is on its way to Governor Murphy’s desk for consideration.
Help could be on the way to rural and low-income communities that lack adequate high speed internet service under legislation sponsored by Sen. Steve Oroho and Sen. Troy Singleton. (Pixabay)
The bill, A-850, would establish the Broadband Access Study Commission to evaluate the feasibility of establishing community networks to deliver state-of-the-art internet speeds to the public. The Senate initially approved the measure in January and today concurred with Assembly amendments.
Bucco Bill Designating May 27 of Each Year as ‘Richard Rescorla Day’ Clears Senate
Legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco that would designate May 27 of each year as “Richard Rescorla Day” was approved by the New Jersey Senate.
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Tony Bucco that would designate May 27 of each year as “Richard Rescorla Day” was approved by the New Jersey Senate. (SenateNJ.com)
“On September 11, 2001, Richard Rescorla made the ultimate sacrifice while leading a massive evacuation of 2,700 individuals from the World Trade Center’s South Tower,” said Bucco (R-25). “By designating May 27 as ‘Richard Rescorla Day,’ we will help bring awareness to this courageous individual, and honor him for his service and sacrifice on one of our nation’s darkest days.”
Senate Approves Oroho and Sweeney Bill Supporting NJ Dairy Farmers
Bipartisan legislation that would assist the state’s struggling dairy farmers, sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho and Senate President Steve Sweeney, passed the Senate today.
Sen. Steve Oroho and Senate President Steve Sweeney sponsor bipartisan legislation supporting farmers struggling to save their dairy farms. (Pixabay)
The bill, S-3465, would direct the State Department of Agriculture to provide reimbursement to dairy farmers for annual premiums paid to participate in the federal Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program.
