Month: December 2012

Proposed Bill Would Change How Joint Municipal Judges Are Appointed

Legislation pending in the New Jersey Assembly would alter how judges are appointed to joint and central municipal courts. A joint municipal court is created by two or more municipalities and has jurisdiction over cases from these municipalities.  A central municipal court is created by a county and has jurisdiction

Appeals Court Approves Gov. Christie’s Veto of Racing Commission

The Appellate Division has sided with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and his decision to veto the minutes of the state’s Racing Commission, which would have approved the distribution of $15 million to augment “purse monies” at New Jersey horse tracks. The veto was challenged by the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association

New Jersey Court Clarifies What Constitutes “Overbroad” OPRA Request

A New Jersey appeals court recently clarified what constitutes an “overbroad” request under the state’s Open Public Records Act. The OPRA request involved “EZ Pass benefits afforded to retirees of the Port Authority, including all … correspondence between the Office of the Governor … and the Port Authority.” While the

Donald Trump Secures Helipad Over New Jersey Township’s Objections

Donald Trump can now claim victory in the boardroom and the courtroom. A New Jersey appeals court recently ruled that Trump can build a helipad at his golf course in Colts Neck over the objections of the Township’s Zoning Board of Adjustment. The Facts of the Case Application of Trump

Proposed OPRA Amendment Would Redact E-mail Addresses from Public Records

E-mail addresses could soon be a thing of the past when it comes to New Jersey’s Open Public Records Act. The state Assembly recently passed legislation (A-1280) that would include e-mail addresses in the list of confidential items to be redacted from public records under OPRA. OPRA currently provides a

New Jersey Department of Health Certificate Of Need Memos Exempt From OPRA

A New Jersey appeals court recently ruled that a draft report prepared by staff within the New Jersey Department of Health concerning a hospital’s application for a certificate of need is exempt from disclosure under state’s Open Public Records Act. The court specifically found that the requested documents were fully

Hurricane Sandy’s Impact on OPRA Requests

Hurricane Sandy has turned many New Jersey municipalities upside down. Although many are trying to conduct business as usual, routine tasks such as complying with requests under New Jersey’s Open Public Records Act have often become more difficult. To address concerns, the New Jersey Government Records Council has issued an