The following items are taken from reports issued by legislators and other items of political concern.
Emergency items
Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Ron Dancer that requires the removal of any equipment and markings on certain used emergency vehicles prior to their sale has cleared the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee.
”This is a safeguard to ensure that individuals who purchase such vehicles do not use a previously authorized emergency vehicle for a nonauthorized purpose,” said Assemblyman Dancer, R-Ocean, Monmouth, Burlington and Middlesex. “While the vast majority of people wouldn’t even entertain such an idea, unfortunately, there are unscrupulous folks who would try to take advantage for personal gain.
”For example, it would not be surprising for the new owner of a used police car to use its equipment or markings to impersonate a police officer, exceed any given speed limit or ride the shoulder of a jam-packed highway in an effort to get through traffic more quickly. These scenarios present public safety issues. This bill is a preventative measure. It stops those types of situations from occurring in the first place.”
The bill, A1340, requires that, prior to the sale or transfer of an authorized emergency vehicle, any equipment or marking that would identify it as an emergency vehicle must be removed. Under current law, there is no requirement for the removal of equipment and emergency markings prior the sale of the vehicle.
The bill does not apply to any government entity engaged in law enforcement, fire services or emergency medical transportation that purchases the used emergency vehicle, including a volunteer fire company; a volunteer first aid, ambulance or rescue squad; a person who is an authorized dealer of emergency vehicles’ or a nongovernmental emergency service provider.
An “authorized emergency vehicle” is defined as any vehicle of the fire department, police department or ambulance and other vehicles approved by the chief administrator when operated in response to an emergency call.
Equipment that must be removed includes handheld spotlights affixed to side mirrors, antennas used for emergency response communication equipment, mobile vision and mobile data terminals, sirens, strobe lights or any other light with optional strobe functions typically used on an authorized emergency vehicle.
The markings that must be removed include any decal, insignia or striping added to the authorized emergency vehicle by a state or municipal agency or any other government entity engaged in law enforcement, fire services or emergency medical transportation.
Assemblyman Dancer sponsored the bill with Assemblywoman Annette Quijano, D-Union.
Severe weather
In the midst of one of the harshest winters New Jersey recently has seen, Sen. Peter J. Barnes III has introduced legislation that would protect New Jersey workers who are unable to make it into work due to a declared state of emergency.
”When the state or a municipality declares a state of emergency, it is often because weather conditions are so terrible, it is simply too unsafe to venture out on the roadways,” said Sen. Barnes, D-Middlesex. “We have recently seen severe snow storms that have left New Jersey roadways slick and dangerous, and in years past, storms such as Hurricanes Irene and Sandy have left communities completely incapacitated. Yet many workers feel compelled to head out in bad weather so they are not punished by their employers. New Jerseyans should be able to make an objective decision to drive during a storm that reflects their own and their family’s safety rather than a fear of retribution by an employer or a loss of sick or vacation time.”
The bill would protect New Jersey employees from adverse actions by their employer if they are unable to make it to work due to a declared state of emergency. The legislation would prevent employers from requiring employees to use any sick, vacation, personal or other leave — paid or unpaid — during a state of emergency.
According to the bill, a state of emergency is a natural or manmade disaster or emergency in which a state of emergency is declared by the governor or by a municipal emergency management coordinator. The governor declares a state of emergency when he believes a disaster will be severe enough to require state aid to supplement local resources in preventing or alleviating damages, loss, hardship or suffering.
The bill exempts employees of public safety agencies such as police or fire departments or emergency medical services.
An employer who violates the provisions of the bill would be subject to a penalty of up to $5,000 for the first offense and $10,000 for each additional offense.
The bill has been referenced to the Senate Labor Committee.
Generators
Legislation Assembly Democrats Annette Quijano and Shavonda Sumter sponsored to ensure health-care facilities be either equipped with a generator or electrical transfer switch and wiring to which a portable generator can be connected has been released by an Assembly panel.
The bill (A1341) stems from concern following the widespread power outages seen throughout New Jersey after Superstorm Sandy.
”It’s frightening to think that those power outages put health-care facilities at risk,” said Assemblywoman Quijano, D-Union. “We’ve taken steps to ensure gas stations can be equipped with generators, but these facilities must also be prepared. They care for some of our most vulnerable residents, and we need to ensure they’re ready to go should we get hit with more power outages.”
Health-care facilities included under the provisions of the bill include nursing homes; assisted living facilities; comprehensive personal care homes; pediatric community transitional homes; federally qualified health centers; dialysis centers; hospice inpatient cares; or residential health-care centers connected to another licensed facility.
”These facilities cannot be left in the dark,” said Assemblywoman Sumter, D-Passaic, Bergen. “They need to be ready, and this is a reasonable requirement.”
The bill requires these facilities be equipped with a generator or be generator ready within three years of the effective date of the bill.
The bill requires a generator or generator connection be capable of supporting the following for a minimum of 24 hours:
• Critical life support equipment.
• Refrigeration for medications.
• Lighting for means of egress, exit signs and exit directional signs.
• Emergency lighting in common areas.
• Equipment necessary for maintaining backup communications.
• Elevator service if required for the relocation of patients or residents within the facility or evacuation from the facility.
• A fire pump, well pump or sump pump, if installed.
• A sewerage pump, if installed.
• Fire, smoke and other safety detection alarm systems.
• Emergency lighting and power required for the generator at the generator connection point.
The bill also requires the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to offer financial assistance in the form of low-interest loans to eligible facilities for the purchase and installation of a generator or to make the facility generator ready.
The authority must begin accepting applications no later than 91 days after the enactment of the bill and must begin approving the applications within a reasonable time thereafter.
The bill was released by the Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee chaired by Assemblywoman Quijano.
Farm to School
A six-bill legislative package sponsored by Assembly Democrats Robert Andrzejczak, Celeste Riley and Gilber “Whip” Wilson to financially support the New Jersey Farm to School program and promote healthier food options has been released by an Assembly panel.
The object of the New Jersey Farm to School program is to provide agricultural products to school food service departments to serve healthy meals to improve student nutrition, provide health and nutrition education opportunities that will last a lifetime and support local farmers.
The program was developed by the Department of Agriculture in conjunction with the Department of Education.
These bills would help the program further its mission.
The first bill (A156), sponsored by Assemblyman Andrzejczak and Assemblywoman Riley, would require the Department of Agriculture to post a hyperlink directing users to the New Jersey Farm to School website on its website; and a copy of any written agreement for the purchase of fresh foods — entered into and successfully implemented by any school or school district in the state — on the website.
”New Jersey has a proud farming industry, which we should utilize and promote to cultivate better eating habits among our children,” said Assemblyman Andrzejczak, D-Cape May/Atlantic/Cumberland. “The Farm to School program introduces children to healthier food options and supports local farms. This is more than enough reason to spread the word about the program and increase participation.”
”It is the state’s best interest to encourage more of these partnerships,” said Assemblywoman Riley, D-Cumberland/Gloucester/Salem. “Increasing the online presence of the Farm to School program through cross promotion is a simple and effective way to get more schools and farmers on board.”
The second bill (A2641), sponsored by assemblymen Andrzejczak and Wilson, would create the New Jersey Farm to School and School Garden Fund and allow taxpayers to make voluntary contributions to the fund on their state gross income tax returns to support Farm to School program initiatives.
”There may be residents who would like to support the work of the Farm to School program, but may not know how,” Assemblyman Andrzejczak said. “This bill would give residents who recognize the importance of the program to the health of our students and the state’s farming industry and want to contribute with the opportunity to do so with a simple denotation on their state tax returns.”
”Most people are willing to donate to a good cause if the donation process is simple and straightforward,” said Assemblyman Wilson, D-Camden/Gloucester. “This bill streamlines the donation process by giving residents the option to make a direct donation to the program right on their state tax returns.”
The third bill (A2642), sponsored by Assemblyman Andrzejczak and Assemblywoman Riley, would allow the secretary of Agriculture to solicit and accept private and public monetary contributions to help fund the Farm to School program.
”All programs that rely on government funding are feeling the pinch,” Assemblyman Andrzejczak said. “This is one way to help Farm to School program secure the funding it needs to continue to do its work.”
”Budgetary cuts have forced many to do more with less,” Assemblywoman Riley said. “Any financial support that the Farm to School program is able to secure from private sources will surely be welcomed.”
The fourth bill (A2643), sponsored by Assemblywoman Riley and Assemblyman Wilson, would direct the Department of Agriculture, in coordination with the Department of Education and any other agricultural or farming organization deemed appropriate by the Department of Agriculture, to establish an annual awards program to recognize schools or school districts with outstanding achievements in the incorporation of Farm to School principles into their school meal and snack programs.
”This is another simple way to promote the benefits of the Farm to School program and encourage more schools to join in while celebrating others for a job well done,” Assemblywoman Riley said.
”We all like to be recognized for our work,” Assemblyman Wilson said. “This award can keep the momentum going for schools already in the Farm to School program while encouraging others to join.”
The fifth bill (A2644), sponsored by assemblymen Andrzejczak and Wilson, would require the Department of Agriculture to develop a website to serve as a clearinghouse for farmers to provide produce and dairy products to school breakfast and lunch programs throughout the state.
The website would be similar to existing “for sale by owner” websites and provide a forum for farmers with produce and dairy products to connect with any school or school district with a need for these products for its school breakfast or lunch program.
”This would help drive business to our local farmers and provide our schools with fresh, New Jersey made produce and dairy products,” Assemblyman Andrzejczak said. “It’s a win-win.”
”This website would create a one-stop shop where farmers can go and connect with schools in need of certain products,” Assemblyman Wilson said. “It helps facilitate the exchange and benefits both.”
The six measure (AJR56), sponsored by Assemblyman Andrzejczak and Assemblywoman Riley, would designate the week after Mother’s Day as School Garden Week in New Jersey to recognize and promote the benefits of gardening in schools and further encourage students to eat fresh fruits and vegetables regularly.
The joint resolution would direct the governor to annually issue a proclamation calling upon school districts to observe School Garden Day in New Jersey with appropriate activities and programs and to coordinate their activities and programs with those annually planned for Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week.
”This not only celebrates the state’s agricultural industry, but further drives the message to our children about the importance of healthier eating habits,” Assemblyman Andrzejczak said.
”This falls in line with the First Lady’s Let’s Move initiative by introducing the merits of healthy eating to our children in a fun, interactive way,” Assemblywoman Riley said.
The bills were released by the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
In related legislation, bipartisan legislation sponsored by Assembly Republicans Ron Dancer and Parker Space that established a clearinghouse website for farmers to offer produce and dairy products to schools and food banks for their food programs was released by the Assembly Women and Children Committee.
The legislation is part of the series of bills known as the Farm to School program.
”This bill provides a conduit between New Jersey’s farmers, schools and food banks,” said Assemblyman Dancer, R-Ocean, Burlington, Middlesex and Monmouth. “Connecting the state’s agriculture industry with those who provide nutritional meals puts students in a better position to learn, helps hunger-based organizations reach more people and provides an opportunity for farmers to market their products. Fighting hunger is an ongoing challenge, and the Farm to School program helps in that effort while supporting our highly-regarded agriculture industry.”
The bill, A2644, which would take effect one year after its signing, stipulates that the Department of Agriculture will work in consultation with the Department of Education and the Department of Health to develop and implement the web-based clearinghouse.
“”“”Assemblymen Andrzejczak and Wilson also sponsored the bill.
Also, Farm to School legislation sponsored by Assembly Republicans Parker Space and Alison McHose advanced from the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
“”“”The Space/McHose bill, A156, requires the Department of Agriculture to substantially increase the Farm to School program’s presence on the Department’s website, including the publication of public contracts and agreements for the purchase of fresh foods for school children.
“”“’”The legislation, one of a package of bills to enhance the Farm to School initiative that were voted out of committee, also requires the Department of Agriculture to include a prominently placed hyperlink from the department’s site to the separate and distinct New Jersey Farm to School website.
Republican Assemblyman Ron Dancer also is a sponsor of the bill.
Assemblyman Space sponsored three other Farm to School bills that passed in the Agriculture Committee.
A2641 provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns to support the Farm to School and School Gardens programs. A2642 allows the secretary of Agriculture to solicit and accept private and public money to support the state’s Farm to School program. A2643 establishes the Best in New Jersey Farm to School Awards Program to annually recognize the outstanding Farm to School programs implemented by a school or school district.
Another complementary bill sponsored by Assemblyman Space, A2840, directs the Department of Agriculture to establish a website for farmers to offer produce and dairy products for use by school breakfast and lunch programs.
That bill was approved by the Assembly Women and Children Committee.