Categories : Public Employment LawTags : Leave a comment

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

On By kbeaufort

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

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Categories : Land UseTags : Leave a comment

New Law Alters Performance Guarantees under the MLUL

On By Donald Scarinci

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

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Categories : Election LawTags : Leave a comment

Gov. Murphy Signs NJ Voter Registration Bill

On By mjimenez

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

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Categories : School LawTags : Leave a comment

NJ Legislature Looking to Bonds to Boost School Facilities Security

On By Carolyn R. Chaudry

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

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Categories : Public Employment LawTags : Leave a comment

PFRS Reform Bill Heads to Gov. Murphy

On By knova

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

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Categories : Open Public Records ActTags : Leave a comment

NJ Court Expands OPRA Access to Settlements Involving Public Entities

On By John G. Geppert, Jr.

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

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Categories : Municipal Law Public Employment LawTags : Leave a comment

Legislation Introduced to Make Interest Arbitration Cap Permanent

On By mdelosRios

The two percent cap on interest arbitration awards expired at the end of the year 2017. In response, lawmakers in both the New Jersey Senate and Assembly recently introduced legislation to permanently extend the 2% Interest Arbitration cap, which limits how much compensation arbitrators can award police and firefighters who have

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Categories : Municipal LawTags : Leave a comment

Transition Reports Offer Roadmap for New Murphy Administration

On By Donald Scarinci

Given the stark differences in policy, the leadership change from Gov. Chris Christies election of Gov. Phil Murphy is certain to result in changes for local governments and state agencies. Since taking office, Gov. Murphy has issued ten executive orders, which tackle issues such as wind energy, equal pay, and

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