GOVERNMENT REFORM
Government Efficiencies - A-910 (Chivukula/D-17): Signed by Governor P.L.2011, c.61. This bill directs the chief technology officer to stufy the costs and benefits of replacing the state's high-volume basic computing systems with more cost-effective alternatives. Contact: Michael Egenton
ENERGY
Solar Energy - S-2126 (Whelan/D-2; Haines/R-8; Quijano/D-20; DeAngelo/D-14; Ramos/D-33; Wagner/D-38): Senate passed 33-0. Senate passed 33-0. This bill permits development of solar and photovoltaic energy facilities and structures over landfills and quarries, including the Pinelands, permitting the expansion of renewable solar energy resources in areas which are not actively being used. Contact: Michael Egenton
HEALTH
Senate Commerce Committee
Government Rate Setting - S-2104 (Gill/D-34): Committee held. This bill requires that physical therapy services be reimbursed at a minimum rate of 140 percent of Medicare. This mandate will increase healthcare costs for employers, who are already struggling to afford their health insurance premiums. Draft amendments would delete a provision that would have mandated employers purchase plans with unlimited physical therapy benefits Contact: Mary Ellen Peppard
LABOR
Senate Labor Committee
Minimizing Tax Increase - A-3819 (Egan/D-17; Evans/D-35; Pou/D-35; Wisniewski/D-19) & S-2730 (Madden/D-4; Doherty/R-23): Assembly passed 76-0. Committee passed. This bill phases in an automatic Unemployment Insurance (UI) tax increase over a three year period, reducing the amount of the tax increase this year on the employer community. The bill also modifies the UI trust fund reserve ratios which are used to set employer UI tax rates in such a manner so that larger reserves will be required in the UI trust fund than under the current law before employer UI taxes are reduced. Contact: Michael Egenton
Senate Labor Committee A-3819 Vote: Madden, Fred (Chair) - Yes; Cunningham, Sandra B. (Vice Chair) - Not Voting; Beach, James - Yes; Codey, Richard J. - Yes; Doherty, Michael J. - Yes; Pennacchio, Joseph - Yes
Senate Labor Committee S-2730 Vote: Madden, Fred (Chair) - Yes; Cunningham, Sandra B. (Vice Chair) - Not Voting; Beach, James - Yes; Codey, Richard J. - Yes; Doherty, Michael J. - Yes; Pennacchio, Joseph - Yes
LEGAL
Consumer Contract Mandates - A-3433 (Barnes/D-18; Diegnan/D-18; Moriarty/D-4; Watson Coleman/D-15); A-3434 (Moriarty/D-4; Diegnan/D-18; Barnes/D-18; Watson Coleman/D-15); A-3435 (Diegnan/D-18; Moriarty/D-4; Barnes/D-18; Watson Coleman/D-15): Assembly held. These bills impose mandates on consumer contracts and arbitration agreements, which limit the ability of businesses to hold down costs associated with dispute resolution. Arbitration is an effective means for resolving disputes and can be more cost efficient and expedient for both the consumer and the business. Contact: Michael Egenton
