I. State Issues
a. Covid-19 Update
Today, Governor Murphy announced that there were 5,791 new positive cases and an additional 112 confirmed deaths resulting from COVID-19. To date, there have been 516,608 confirmed cases, and 17,697 confirmed deaths. The rate of transmission is 1.02. Since August, there have been 557 cases linked to 111 school outbreaks.
Earlier in the week, the Governor announced that the general public can pre-register for eligibility for the vaccine online. Individuals will be permitted to input their personal, contact, health insurance, and demographic information. For those who are immediately eligible based on screening questions will be able to schedule an appointment. Please note that during peak times, there may be capacity issues that result in a message to try later. We ask that you share this information with your community.
On Wednesday the Governor announced that uniformed police and firefighters, including volunteers, are now eligible to receive the COVID 19 vaccine under Phase 1A. Phase 1A individuals can get vaccinated by registering for a vaccine on the NJ Vaccine Scheduling System, or by making an appointment at one of the designated COVID-19 Vaccine locations.
The State continues to ask residents to download and use the new Covid Alert NJ, the State’s exposure notification smartphone app.
Since our last update, Governor Murphy has issued no COVID-19 related Executive Orders.
The Department of Labor announced that unemployed workers would begin receiving $300 in supplemental unemployment benefits early next week, for the first week of eligibility under the expanded CARES Act. For the week ending January 2 the initial weekly unemployment claims total 20,986, a 2.6% increase from the prior week.
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Assistant Executive Director, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x112.
b. Governor Signs Tax Incentive Legislation
Yesterday, Governor Murphy signed into law
A-4, the "New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020." The new law provides for administration of programs and policies related to; jobs, property development, food deserts, community partnerships, small and early stage businesses, State procurement, wind energy, and film production, and makes an appropriation. P.L. 2020, 156 took effect immediately. The League, through a series of
blog posts, will be providing greater detail on the various programs authorized under this law.
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Assistant Executive Director,
lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x112.
c. Cannabis Clean Up Legislation Held
Initially both the Assembly and Senate were scheduled to consider legislation to clarify the recent cannabis legislation, A-5211/S-3320, on Monday. However, as of this afternoon it appears the deal to legalize and decriminalize cannabis collapsed reportedly amid concerns with the decriminalization component.
This legislation is intended to clarify some issues of concern apparently raised by the Governor’s office with A21/S21. We note that A21/S21, which legalizes adult use of cannabis, passed previously and the Governor has until early February to act on these bills.
As currently drafted A-5211/S-3320:
- Establishes civil but not criminal penalties for underage residents caught with small amounts of cannabis and marijuana;
- Updates definitions in the New Jersey Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act to mirror the definitions in the cannabis legalization legislation;
- Amends New Jersey Controlled Dangerous Substance Act to exclude medical marijuana;
- Changes the training provided for the Drug Recognition Expert program from the Police Training Commission approved school to the New Jersey State Police; and
- Provides that current certified Drug Recognition Experts will need to receive training in the new program.
We will continue to monitor this legislation and keep our members informed of any relevant updates.
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Assistant Executive Director, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x112.
d. Governor signs PFRS Enhanced Benefits for Surviving Spouses Act
Yesterday, Governor Murphy signed S487, the “Dominick Marino PFRS Enhanced Benefits for Surviving Spouses Act”. This legislation expands accidental death benefits provided to widow of a PFRS member. The benefit paid will now be either 70% of the compensation, based in the last year of creditable service, or a pension of $50,000, whichever is greater. This new law took effect on January 7, 2021.
Contact: Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x116.
e. Right to Farm Act Amended to Allow Employees to Live on Horse Farms
Governor Murphy, yesterday, signed A-2768/S-1245, which amends the “Right to Farm Act” to allow housing for equine-related farm employees.
The new law requires that, notwithstanding any local health code or zoning ordinance to the contrary, the rules and regulations and agricultural management practices authorize full-time, year-round, equine-related farm employees to be housed in the same building as horses under certain circumstances. The housing must be in a separate area that qualifies as a separate building under the State Uniform Construction Code (UCC), or on a separate level from where horses are boarded or housed, provided that the floor provides sufficient separation to meet UCC fire rating standards.
In addition, the employee living area on a different floor or in a separate area must have its own ventilation system that is separate from the ventilation system for the horses. Compliance with all other UCC and Department of Community Affairs standards or requirements is still necessary.
The League opposed this bill as it provides unnecessarily broad exemptions from important local review and community input. With the bill now signed into law the League anticipates working with the State Agriculture Development Committee as they begin the process of developing and adopting rules and regulations to implement the new law, to ensure the health and safety of our residents are protected.
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481 x137.
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