LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Legislative session moving quickly
The 2018 legislative session is less than four months along , and the state legislature has packed a lot of business into that short span . Activity has included a number of bills significant to the NJ State PBA . And while April is usually a quiet month for legislative activity , the slowdown is only temporary . The PBA has requested movement on priority bills in the hope of moving them
ROB NIXON prior to the summer recess at the end of June . In addition , the influx of new legislators elected in November has necessitated another round of meetings with State PBA President Pat Colligan , Executive Vice President Marc Kovar and myself to introduce the PBA and our agenda to Trenton ’ s newest reps . These meetings have become an excellent resource to build relationships and explaining where the PBA stands on issues that impact law enforcement . They often are first in a long line of followup meetings and talks that could mean the difference between success and failure in Trenton .
To date , the State PBA is tracking nearly 500 bills that have been introduced in the Senate and Assembly . Most of these will never receive a hearing , but many do move , requiring the expertise of the State PBA to ensure that law enforcement officers and their rights are protected .
Some of the bills that have moved , or have been introduced this session , that the State PBA is working on include :
Senate Bill 1 ( Sweeney ): The bill amends the laws governing
shared services and consolidations among local governments . The State PBA has expressed concerns in meetings with Senate President Steve Sweeney ’ s staff , and amendments have been requested to ensure fairness and protections for law enforcement officers subject to a potential merger or sharing of police services . The bill is currently on second reading in the Senate .
Senate Bill 5 ( Sweeney ): The bill transfers management of the PFRS to the Board of Trustees of the PFRS . The bill passed the Senate and Assembly overwhelmingly and is currently on the governor ’ s desk for review .
Senate Bill 785 ( Sarlo ): The bill requires the Police Training Commission to develop accelerated training courses for certain county corrections officers . The bill was introduced at the request of the State PBA to ensure opportunities for job transfers through a uniform and fair process . The bill is on second reading in the Senate and the State PBA is currently reviewing recommendations for amendments recently provided by the attorney general ’ s office .
Senate Bill 1739 ( Van Drew ): The bill renames county corrections officers as county correctional police officers . The legislation mirrors a law signed last session to rename “ State Corrections Officers ” as “ State Correctional Police Officers .” The bill unanimously passed the Senate and is awaiting consideration by the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee .
Senate Bill 2300 ( Gopal ): The bill limits the payment to public employees for accumulated unused sick leave upon retirement to $ 15,000 , or higher amount under certain circumstances . There are a number of important facts to consider about this bill :
• The bill would apply to all active and future employees .
• The bill protects an employee ’ s accumulated time . For example , officers who have in excess of $ 15,000 on the books keep what they have but can ’ t cash out more than that amount once their contract expires , should the bill become law . It therefore doesn ’ t take away any time earned before the bill becomes law .
• The bill would permit current or future officers to earn up to , but no greater than , $ 15,000 in sick leave that could be cashed out upon retirement , if they have less than $ 15,000 on the books should the bill become law . The State PBA has met with the sponsor to express our opposition to the proposal as an intrusion in the collective bargaining process . It fails to address the real problem with excessive sickleave payouts which come not from collective bargaining agreements , but from “ personal services contracts ” signed between local governments and departments school districts with chiefs and superintendents . The vast majority of PBA contracts already contain a cap , and we expressed that PBA Locals should not have another item for bargaining removed from the table by the legislature .
The bill is currently in the Senate State Government Committee awaiting consideration .
Assembly Bill 3834 ( Barclay ): The bill institutes an age limit of 65 for Class 1 , 2 and 3 special law enforcement officers . The bill was introduced at the request of the State PBA to provide parity between the retirement age for specials and full-time law enforcement officers . The bill has been referred to the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee .
If members have questions about legislation , contact your State Delegate for clarification . d
10 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ APRIL 2018