Legislative Summary

New! A3353 - Assemblyman Albert Coutinho (D29)

The bill establishes the "New Jersey Closing Fund." The purpose of the fund is to stimulate economic activity by encouraging and promoting the retention and expansion of existing business and industry in the State as well as creating and attracting new business and industry to the State. The bill authorizes the State Treasurer to grant an award to projects that will significantly benefit the State and requires additional resources as an inducement to locate or remain in the State. The bill was recently introduced and referred to the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee.

New! A1923 - Assemblyman Herb Conaway (D7), Assemblyman Jack Conners (D7)

The bill provides employees who have been given advanced notice of a plant closing or transfer or mass layoff with increased opportunities to obtain tuition waivers for job training at all public and county colleges in the State. The tuition waiver program currently restricts the number of available class slots for participants. This bill eliminates classroom space restrictions for individuals. The bill has reported out of the Assembly Labor committee for its second reading in Assembly.
  
Update! S2126 - Senator James Whelan (D2)

The bill permits development of solar and photovoltaic energy facilities and structures over landfills and quarries. It would require the Pinelands Commission to determine that the development of a solar or photovoltaic energy facility on the site of a closed landfill or quarry is conforming to the standards of the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan. After passing in the Senate with an unanimous vote, the bill has been received in Assembly and referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee.

Update! S1866 - Senator James Whelan (D2)

In an effort to stimulate growth in Atlantic City, Senator James Whelan submitted a bill that lowers the required room minimum on new hotel and casino construction. The bill was approved by the Senate by a vote of 32-2 after being amended to allow for two special licenses for newly constructed facilities that are either a stand-alone 200 hotel room casino or a staged casino that builds 500 rooms over five years. It was recently received in the Assembly and referred to Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee.

From the Governor's Desk

Governor Christie names nine members of new        Red Tape Review Commission

Gov. Chris Christie recently announced the appointment of the nine members of his newly created Red Tape Review Commission, a panel formed as part of his administration's effort to continue to streamline state government and spur economic activity.

The newly created commission will review administrative rules and regulations and seek public input on regulatory barriers in order to analyze the impact on job creation, economic growth and investment in New Jersey. The Commission will make recommendations to the Governor for improving our regulatory climate by providing periodic reports, and serve as an ongoing advisory resource to the Governor.

"For far too long, New Jersey residents have been faced with layers of burdensome rules and regulations that make it difficult and expensive for New Jersey's businesses to succeed. Regulatory reform is essential for New Jersey to compete in the global economy," Gov. Christie said.

Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, who will chair the panel, said, "The Red Tape Review Commission will continue to provide an ongoing review of job-killing red tape and will be in a position to advocate for bringing common sense regulation to New Jersey, as required by Executive Order No. 2. Businesses throughout the Garden State can know that eliminating overly burdensome red tape and costly regulatory hurdles remain a top priority of our administration."

The commission includes: Sen. Steven Oroho (R-24); Sen. Brian P. Stack (D-33); Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-3); Assemblyman Scott Rumana (R-40); Mayor Brian D. Levine; Edward B. Deutsch of Bernardsville, an attorney and managing partner of McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter; John Galandak of Sandyston, President of the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey; and former Elizabeth Councilman Tony Monteiro, the owner of four businesses.

In the News

Agricultural Tourism and Wineries Promoted in      New Jersey Legislature  

Legislation Assembly members Nelson Albano, Matt Milam, Celeste Riley and Gilbert L. "Whip" Wilson sponsored a package of bills to promote agricultural tourism and wineries in New Jersey that was recently released by the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. One bill would establish a statewide motorist sign system that would be easily identifiable and promote agricultural tourism attractions. The other sponsored by Albano and Riley would allow wineries to participate in any tourist-related directional sign program established by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

"Tourists represent a largely untapped market for agricultural establishments," said Milam (D-1). "The very nature of farming establishments means they're often not on heavily traveled routes, so we should do anything we can to help tourists and others from out-of-state, as well as New Jersey residents, find these gems."


"You may not have to live on a farm to enjoy New Jersey's agriculture, but you surely need to know how to find these places," said Albano (D-1). "These agricultural establishments are an important sector of New Jersey's economy, but they are under economic pressures caused by ever-increasing development. They need more than local residents as their primary customer base."
"Winery tours and the fine products offered by New Jersey wineries are key parts of our cultural and tourism trade industries, and we as a state should cooperate in promoting their efforts," said Riley (D-3). "If we're already investing in directional sign programs to help other businesses, I see no reason why we wouldn't offer the same to wineries that play a key role in our economic development."

"Agricultural tourism can include, among other activities, hayrides, corn mazes, pick-your-own operations, farm stands, agricultural fairs, farm festivals, winery tours, horseback riding and historical attractions where visitors can learn about New Jersey agriculture," said Wilson (D-5). "This is New Jersey's heritage and we should promote it."
Under the bill, the Secretary of Agriculture would establish eligibility standards for participating in the program and reasonable fees to be charged to participating establishments to pay for the signs. County agricultural boards would be able to help pay.

The bill sponsored by Albano and Riley would allow plenary and farm winery licensees to be deemed eligible for participation in any tourist-oriented directional sign program established by the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation, if the entrance for tourists to such licensee's premises is located within three miles of the state or interstate highway system.