Year: 2018

Gov. Murphy Conditionally Vetoes PFRS Reform Legislation

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has conditionally vetoed legislation that would transfer the management of the Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS) to a Board of Trustees. In his veto message, Gov. Murphy proposed several significant changes to Senate Bill No. 5, which are summarized below.  Proposed PFRS Reform As discussed in

OPMA

NJ Supreme Court Rules Public Auction Records Subject to OPRA

In William J. Brennan v. Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, the Supreme Court of New Jersey held that the state’s Open Public Records Act (OPRA) compels the disclosure of documents including the names and addresses of persons who successfully bid at an auction of public property. The court’s decision is particularly

Assembly Passes Bill to Allow Volunteer Firefighters to Receive Public Employee Retirement Benefits

The New Jersey Assembly recently passed a bill that would allow firefighters with a pre-existing volunteer relationship with their employer to retire from service covered by the Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) or the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS) and continue to serve that employer as a volunteer. The legislation, Assembly

New Law Alters Performance Guarantees under the MLUL

New Jersey municipalities may need to amend their local ordinances in light of recent changes made to the state’s Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL). The new law signed in January, P.L. 2017 C. 312, restricts when a municipality can require performance and maintenance guarantees from a developer.   Limits on Performance

Gov. Murphy Signs NJ Voter Registration Bill

Gov. Phil Murphy recently signed legislation into law that expands voter registration in New Jersey. Pursuant to Assembly Bill No. 2014, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) will automatically register to vote and update voter registration for eligible applicant when applying for motor vehicle driver’s license, examination permit, probationary

NJ Legislature Looking to Bonds to Boost School Facilities Security

In the wake of the tragic Parkland shooting, both political parties are committed to improving school security in New Jersey. The state Legislature recently added to a current bipartisan bill to add $500 million in grants to help schools boost their facilities security. The bond act would require final approval

PFRS Reform Bill Heads to Gov. Murphy

The New Jersey Legislature has approved legislation to reform the Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS) by transferring management to a Board of Trustees. The PFRS bill now awaits consideration by Governor Phil Murphy.  As more fully detailed in a prior post, Senate Bill 5/Assembly Bill 3671 (S-5/A-3671) transfers management

NJ Court Expands OPRA Access to Settlements Involving Public Entities

In Evening Journal Ass’n v. City of Bayonne & Robert F. Sloan, a New Jersey judge held that sealed settlements involving public entities may be subject to disclosure under the state’s Open Public Records Act (OPRA).  Facts of the Case The OPRA case sprung from a civil lawsuit filed against