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April 14, 2022

 
I.   State Issues
II.  Federal Issues
III. Also of Interest
 
Municipal Clerks: Please forward to your Mayor, Governing Body and Department Heads.
 
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I. State Issues


a. CRC Approves ATCs to Begin Recreational Cannabis Sales

 
At a special meeting on April 11, the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) approved seven medical marijuana dispensaries, known as alternative treatment centers (ATC), to begin selling adult use recreational cannabis. The Commission also approved another 34 conditional license applications for cultivators and manufacturers, adding to the 68 approved at their March 24 meeting. The ATCs must meet additional requirements and pass operational inspections before they begin recreational sales, but the CRC's step means recreational cannabis sales could begin in the next few weeks. 
 
Reports indicate that Senate President Nicholas Scutari still plans on forming a special legislative committee to review the delays with starting legal cannabis sales. It is still unknown at this time when this committee would meet or who the members would be.
 
Contact: Frank Marshall, Esq., Associate General Counsel, fmarshall@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x137.

b. Department of Education and Department of Agriculture Give Testimony on FY 2023 Budget

 
On April 14, both the New Jersey Department of Education (DOE) and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA) gave testimony before the Assembly Budget Committee. DOE Acting Commissioner Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillian's testimony highlighted that the Governor’s proposed budget would invest $19 billion dollars into New Jersey education. Acting Commissioner Allen-McMillian expressed that New Jersey is on the correct path when it comes to recovering from COVID-19 pandemic and the Department has undertaken a multi-pronged strategy to bolster the teacher workforce. The strategy includes implementing a five-year Limited Certificate of Eligibility and Limited Certificate of Eligibility with Advance Standing pilot program; a partnership with Rowan University for the Men of Color Hope Achievers program; and the launching of a new online certification system.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Douglas Fisher’s testimony highlighted the Department’s goals, promoting New Jersey’s agriculture industry, ensuring healthy plants and animals for the state's agriculture, preserving farmland and helping farmers conserve natural resources, and supporting food access and security. Secretary Fisher noted that the NJDA continues to combat climate change with a focus on farm resiliency. He also noted the fight against the invasive Spotted Lantern Fly, as well as prevention of the introduction in New Jersey of the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza, which has wreaked havoc in the poultry industry in nearly two dozen other states.

Secretary Fisher also highlighted that the Department would like to continue to strive to provide New Jersey students with healthy meals and to continue support for community feeding operations which Governor Murphy’s proposed FY 2023 budget includes. 
 
We will continue to provide weekly updates as the departmental hearings continue. Next week the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee will host another public hearing on Governor Murphy’s proposed FY 2023 budget.    
 
Contact: Andrew LaFevre, Legislative Analyst, alafevre@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x116.

c. New Law Permits Existing Police and Fire Chiefs to Serve Longer

 
On April 12, Governor Murphy signed into law A-2158, which took effect immediately. P.L. 2022, c. 9 permits an existing police chief or fire chief who attains the age of 65 within the next two years to continue serving as chief until the end of the calendar year in which they reach the age of 67. This is provided the governing body approves, in writing, the retention and continued service of the chief after the age of 65.
 
Within 30 days after the two-year eligibility window (2024), the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature on the effect of this new provision, including the number of members who took advantage of the new law and impacts the extended service had on the retirement system.
 
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director & Director of Government Affairs, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.

d. Governor Issues Executive Order Clarifying COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements

 
On April 13, Governor Murphy issued Executive Order 294 clarifying that vaccination requirements for covered workers at health care and high-risk congregate settings under Executive Order No. 283 include only one booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. A second booster dose is not required.
 
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director & Director of Government Affairs, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.

e. Month of April is Now Military Child Appreciation Month in New Jersey

 
On April 12, Governor Murphy signed into law AJR-109/SJR-74, annually designating the month of April as “Military Child Appreciation Month” and the last full week of April as “Military Child Appreciation Week” in New Jersey. The U.S. Department of Defense designated the “Month of the Military Child” in 1986 to increase public awareness of issues faced by children whose parents serve in the Armed Forces.
 
Contact: Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director & Director of Government Affairs, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112. 


f. Reminder: 2022 Financial Disclosure Statements Due April 30

 
As a reminder, 2022 Financial Disclosure Statements must be filed with the Division of Local Government Service on or before April 30. In their guidance, Local Finance Notice 2022-06, the Division noted that the Local Finance Board anticipates that at its June 8 meeting, it will fine any person who has not filed the 2022 Financial Disclosure Statement to be in violation of the filing requirement.


Contact: Lori Buckelew, Deputy Executive Director & Director of Government Affairs, lbuckelew@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x112.

II. Federal Issues


a. Reminder: ARPA Project and Expenditure Reports Due April 30

 
As a reminder, municipalities must complete their American Rescue Plan (ARPA) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) Project and Expenditure reports by April 30. This initial report covers the period of March 3, 2021 to March 31, 2022. The US Department of Treasury has created a Project and Expenditure Report User Guide for State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds with information on using the Treasury’s portal to submit the required SLFRF Project and Expenditure reports for the April 30, 2022 submission deadline.
 
If you have any questions about the reporting requirements, please consult the US Treasury ARPA SLFRF website or email SLFRF@treasury.gov. Also, please do this early, Treasury anticipates a last-minute flood of reports.


Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.

III. Also of Interest


a. Mayors Wellness Campaign Mental Health Toolkit Launch

 
Join the Mayors Wellness Campaign (MWC) for the release of its new resource, the MWC Mental Health Toolkit, on April 20 at 10 a.m. Register for the Toolkit Launch Webinar to learn what mental health is and how it affects your residents, how to leverage your MWC to address mental health in your community, and resources to support residents in need of mental health services.

You’ll hear from community leaders who have implemented some of the programs highlighted in the toolkit. The MWC is a program of the Quality Institute in partnership with the NJ State League of Municipalities.

b. Lunch and Learn Cybersecurity Briefing with New Jersey’s Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Cell

 
On Wednesday, April 27 at noon, the League is hosting a free Lunch and Learn briefing with Krista Valenzuela, Senior Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst, New Jersey Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Cell, to discuss cybersecurity best practices and what municipalities should do to prevent a cyber incident.
 
New Jersey Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Cell, part of New Jersey’s Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, is a one-stop shop for cybersecurity information sharing, provides a wide array of cybersecurity services, including the development and distribution of cyber alerts and advisories, cyber tips and best practices for effectively managing cyber risk. Other services include threat briefings, risk assessments, incident response support, and training.
 
Please register in advance to participate. Once registered, a link to the briefing will be sent to you the morning of April 27.

Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.

c. Lunch and Learn Briefing with US DOT

 
On Tuesday, May 3 at noon, the League is hosting a free Lunch and Learn briefing with Charles Small, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Intergovernmental Affairs Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation, to discuss municipal funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the new federal Commercial Drivers’ License rules.
 
Please register in advance to participate. Once registered, a link to the briefing will be sent to you the morning of May 3.
 
Contact: Paul Penna, Senior Legislative Analyst, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.


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