Bill Text: NJ A1904 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Concerns rights of Delaware River and Bay Authority employees.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-01-16 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee [A1904 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-A1904-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
216th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2014 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman JOHN J. BURZICHELLI
District 3 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem)
SYNOPSIS
Concerns rights of Delaware River and Bay Authority employees.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
An Act concerning the Delaware River and Bay Authority, amending P.L.1961, c.66 and P.L.1941, c.100, and supplementing P.L.1961, c.66 (C.32:11E-1 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. (New section) The Governor is authorized to enter into a supplemental compact or agreement, on behalf of the State of New Jersey, with the State of Delaware supplementing the compact or agreement between the State of Delaware and the State of New Jersey known as the "Delaware-New Jersey Compact," as set forth in P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the legislature as this bill).
2. Section 1 of P.L.1961, c.66 (C.32:11E-1) is amended to read as follows:
1. The State of New Jersey hereby agrees with the State of Delaware, upon enactment by the State of Delaware of legislation having the same effect as this section, to the following compact:
DELAWARE-NEW JERSEY COMPACT
Whereas, The states of Delaware and New Jersey are separated by the Delaware River and Bay which create a natural obstacle to the uninterrupted passage of traffic other than by water and with normal commercial activity between the two states thereby hindering the economic growth and development of those areas in both states which border the river and bay; and
Whereas, The pressures of existing trends from increasing traffic, growing population, and greater industrialization indicate the need for closer cooperation between the two states in order to advance the economic development and to improve crossings, transportation, terminal, and other facilities of the area; and
Whereas, The financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of such crossings, transportation, terminal, and other facilities of commerce and the overall planning for future economic development of the area may be best accomplished for the benefit of the two states and their citizens, the region and nation, by the cordial cooperation of Delaware and New Jersey by and through a joint or common agency or authority; and
Whereas, The Delaware-New Jersey Compact, enacted pursuant to 53 Laws of Delaware, Chapter 145 (17 Del. C. s.1701) and P.L.1961, c.66 (C.32:11E-1 et seq.) of the Pamphlet Laws of New Jersey, with the consent of the United States Congress in accordance with Pub.L.87-678 (1962), created the Delaware River and Bay Authority with the intention of advancing the economic growth and development of those areas in both states which border the Delaware River and Bay by the financing, development, construction, operation, and maintenance of crossings, transportation, or terminal facilities, and other facilities of commerce, and by providing for overall planning for the future economic development of those areas; and
Whereas, The economic growth and development of areas of both states will be further advanced by authorizing the authority to undertake economic development projects, other than major projects as defined in Article II, at its own initiative, and to undertake major projects after securing only such approvals as may be required by legislation of the state in which the project is to be located, except that the authority is prohibited from undertaking any major project, to be located in the Delaware River or Bay, including, without limitation, any deep-water port or superport, without the prior approval, by concurrent legislation, of the two states; and
Whereas, The natural environment of those areas in the two states which border the Delaware River and Bay would be better preserved by requiring that the projects, other than crossings, of the authority shall be in complete compliance with all applicable environmental protection laws and regulations before the authority may undertake the planning, development, construction or operation of any project, other than a crossing;
Now, Therefore, The State of Delaware and the State of New Jersey do hereby solemnly covenant and agree, each with the other as follows:
ARTICLE I
SHORT TITLE
This compact shall be known as the "Delaware-New Jersey Compact."
ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS
"Charge card" means any card, plate, coupon book, or other device existing for the purpose of obtaining money, property, labor, services, or anything else of value on credit which is not subject to a finance charge.
"Credit card" means any card, plate, coupon book, or other device existing for the purpose of obtaining money, property, labor, services, or anything else of value on credit which may be subject to a finance charge.
"Financial records" mean all receipts and records of disbursements, revenues and expenses, operating and capital outlay expenses, assets and liabilities, including the fiscal status of authority facilities, projects, and developments, including the status of reserve, depreciation, special, or other funds and the receipts and payments of these funds, and schedules of authority bonds and notes.
"Information" means all authority books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, or other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics.
"Crossing" means any structure or facility adapted for public use in crossing the Delaware River or Bay between the states, whether by bridge, tunnel, ferry, or other device, and by any vehicle or means of transportation of persons or property, as well as all approaches thereto and connecting and service routes and all appurtenances and equipment relating thereto.
"Transportation facility" and "terminal facility" mean any structure or facility other than a crossing as herein defined, adapted for public use within each of the states party hereto in connection with the transportation of persons or property, including railroads, motor vehicles, watercraft, airports and aircraft, docks, wharves, piers, slips, basins, storage places, sheds, warehouses, and every means or vehicle of transportation now or hereafter in use for the transportation of persons and property or the storage, handling, or loading of property, as well as all appurtenances and equipment related thereto.
"Commerce facility or development" means any structure or facility adapted for public use or any development for a public purpose within each of the states party hereto in connection with recreational and commercial fishery development, recreational marina development, aquaculture (marine farming), shoreline preservation and development (including wetlands and open-lands acquisition, active recreational and park development, beach restoration and development, dredge spoil disposal, and port-oriented development), foreign trade zone site development, manufacturing and industrial facilities, and any other facility or activity designed, directly or indirectly, to promote business or commerce which, in the judgment of the authority, is required for the sound economic development of the area.
"Appurtenances" and "equipment" mean all works, buildings, structures, devices, appliances, and supplies, as well as every kind of mechanism, arrangement, object, or substance related to and necessary or convenient for the proper construction, equipment, maintenance, improvement, and operation of any crossing, transportation facility or terminal facility, or commerce facility or development.
"Project" means any undertaking or program for the acquisition or creation of any crossing, transportation facility or terminal facility, or commerce facility or development, or any part thereof, as well as for the operation, maintenance and improvement thereof.
"Major project" means any project, other than a crossing, having or likely to have significant environmental impacts on the Delaware River and Bay, its shorelines or estuaries, or any other area in the State of Delaware or the New Jersey counties of Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem, as determined in accordance with state law by the environmental agency of the state in which the major project is to be located.
"Tunnel" means a tunnel of one or more tubes.
"Governor" means any person authorized by the Constitution and law of each state to exercise the functions, powers, and duties of that office.
"Authority" means the authority created by this compact or any agency successor thereto.
The singular whenever used in this compact shall include the plural, and the plural shall include the singular.
ARTICLE III
FAITHFUL COOPERATION
They agree to and pledge, each to the other, faithful cooperation in the effectuation of this compact and any future amendment or supplement thereto, and of any legislation expressly in implementation thereof hereafter enacted, and in the planning, development, financing, construction, operation, maintenance, and improvement of all projects entrusted to the authority created by this compact.
ARTICLE IV
ESTABLISHMENT OF AGENCY; PURPOSES
The two states agree that there shall be created and they do hereby create a body politic, to be known as "The Delaware River and Bay Authority" (for brevity hereinafter referred to as the "authority"), which shall constitute an agency of government of the State of Delaware and the State of New Jersey for the following general public purposes, and which shall be deemed to be exercising essential government functions in effectuating such purposes, to wit:
(a) The planning, financing, development, construction, purchase, lease, maintenance, improvement, and operation of crossings between the states of Delaware and New Jersey across the Delaware River or Bay at any location south of the boundary line between the State of Delaware and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as extended across the Delaware River to the New Jersey shore of said river, together with such approaches or connections thereto as in the judgment of the authority are required to make adequate and efficient connections between such crossings and any public highway, or other routes in the State of Delaware or in the State of New Jersey; and
(b) The planning, financing, development, construction, purchase, lease, maintenance, improvement, and operation of any transportation or terminal facility within the State of Delaware or the New Jersey counties of Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem, which facility, in the judgment of the authority, is required for the sound economic development of the area; and
(c) The planning, financing, development, construction, purchase, lease, maintenance, improvement, and operation of any commerce facility or development within the State of Delaware or the New Jersey counties of Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem, which in the judgment of the authority is required for the sound economic development of the area; and
(d) The performance of such other functions as may be hereafter entrusted to the authority by concurrent legislation expressly in implementation hereof.
The authority shall not undertake any major project or part thereof without having first secured such approvals as may be required by legislation of the state in which the project is to be located.
The authority shall not undertake any major project, or part thereof, to be located in the Delaware River or Bay, including, without limitation, any deep-water port or superport, without having first secured approval thereof by concurrent legislation of the two states expressly in implementation thereof.
The authority shall not undertake any major project or part thereof without first giving public notice and holding a public hearing, if requested, on any proposed major project, in accordance with the law of the state in which the major project is to be located. Each state shall provide by law for the time and manner for the giving of such public notice, the requesting of a public hearing, and the holding of such public hearings.
(e) The commissioners of the authority shall be responsible for appointing a Director of Economic Development or Deputy Executive Director and an appropriate number of supporting staff as deemed necessary by the authority to oversee commerce and economic development activity by the authority in the New Jersey counties of Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem. The commissioners of the authority shall also be responsible for appointing a separate Director of Economic Development or Deputy Executive Director and an appropriate number of supporting staff as deemed necessary by the authority to oversee commerce and economic development activity by the authority in the State of Delaware. The authority shall not permit the appointment of the Directors of Economic Development or Deputy Executive Directors and supporting staff pursuant to this subsection to increase the budget of the authority.
ARTICLE V
COMMISSIONERS
a. The authority shall consist of 12 commissioners, six of whom shall be residents of and qualified to vote in, and shall be appointed from, the State of Delaware, and six of whom shall be residents of and qualified to vote in, and shall be appointed from, the State of New Jersey; not more than three of the commissioners of each state shall be of the same political party; the commissioners for each state shall be appointed in the manner fixed and determined from time to time by the law of each state respectively. Each commissioner shall hold office for a term of five years, and until [his] the commissioner's successor shall have been appointed and qualified, but the terms of the first commissioners shall be so designated that the term of at least one commissioner from each state shall expire each year. All terms shall run to the first day of July. Any vacancy, however created, shall be filled for the unexpired term only. Any commissioner may be suspended or removed from office as provided by law of the state from which [he] the commissioner shall be appointed.
Commissioners shall be entitled to reimbursement for necessary expenses to be paid only from revenues of the authority and may not receive any other compensation for services to the authority except such as may from time to time be authorized from such revenues by concurrent legislation.
b. The authority shall not permit any commissioner or other person acting on its behalf to use a credit card or charge card established in the name of, or the account of which is paid for by, the authority for the purpose of obtaining money, property, labor, services, or anything else of value, except that such credit card or charge card may be used for the purposes of the business of the authority provided that the expenses and purchases by credit card or charge card do not exceed the maximum annual amount established by joint agreement between the Governor of the State of Delaware and the Governor of the State of New Jersey for the use of such cards.
c. The authority shall not permit any commissioner or other person acting on its behalf to incur expenses and purchases, other than by credit card or charge card, in the performance of their official duties or on behalf of the authority except that such expenses and purchases may be incurred for the purposes of the business of the authority provided that such expenses do not exceed the maximum annual amount established by joint agreement between the Governor of the State of Delaware and the Governor of the State of New Jersey for such expenses and purchases.
ARTICLE VI
BOARD ACTION
The commissioners shall have charge of the authority's property and affairs and shall, for the purpose of doing business, constitute a board; but no action of the commissioners including, but not limited to the adoption of the annual capital plan, including specifically the economic development portion of that plan, shall be binding or effective unless taken at a meeting at which at least four commissioners from each state are present, and unless at least four commissioners from each state shall vote in favor thereof. The vote of any one or more of the commissioners from each state shall be subject to cancellation by the Governor of such state at any time within 10 days [(] , Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays in the particular state excepted[)] , after receipt at the Governor's office of a certified copy of the minutes of the meeting at which such vote was taken. Each state may provide by law for the manner of delivery of such minutes, and for notification of the action thereon.
ARTICLE VII
GENERAL POWERS
For the effectuation of its authorized purposes, the authority is hereby granted the following powers:
a. To have perpetual succession.
b. To adopt and use an official seal.
c. To elect a chairman and a vice-chairman from among the commissioners. The chairman and vice-chairman shall be elected from different states, and shall each hold office for two years. The chairmanship and vice-chairmanship shall be alternated between the two states.
d. To adopt bylaws to govern the conduct of its affairs by the board of commissioners, and it may adopt rules and regulations and may make appropriate orders to carry out and discharge its powers, duties, and functions, but no bylaw, or rule, regulation, or order shall take effect until it has been filed with the Secretary of State of each state or in such other manner in each state as may be provided by the law thereof. In the establishment of rules, regulations, and orders respecting the use of any crossing, transportation, or terminal facility or commerce facility or development owned or operated by the authority, including approach roads, it shall consult with appropriate officials of both states in order to insure, as far as possible, uniformity of such rules, regulations, and orders with the law of both states.
e. To appoint, or employ, such other officers, agents, attorneys, engineers, and employees as it may require for the performance of its duties and to fix and determine their qualifications, duties, compensation, pensions, terms of office, and all other conditions and terms of employment and retention, provided that the employees of the Delaware River and Bay Authority shall be subject to the "New Jersey Employer-Employee Relations Act," P.L.1941, c.100 (C.34:13A-1 et seq.) and shall have all of the rights provided to employees by that act, including but not limited to, the right to form, join, or assist an employee organization, and the right to have the employee organization engage in collective bargaining on behalf of the employees.
f. To enter into contracts and agreements with either state or with the United States, or with any public body, department, or other agency of either state or of the United States or with any individual, firm, or corporation, deemed necessary or advisable for the exercise of its purposes and powers.
g. To accept from any government or governmental department, agency, or other public or private body, or from any other source, grants or contributions of money or property as well as loans, advances, guarantees, or other forms of financial assistance which it may use for or in aid of any of its purposes.
h. To acquire [(]by gift, purchase, or condemnation[)], own, hire, lease, use, operate, and dispose of property, whether real, personal or mixed, or of any interest therein, including any rights, franchise, and property for any crossing, facility, or other project owned by another, and which the authority is authorized to own and operate.
i. To designate as express highways, and control public and private access thereto, all or any approaches to any crossing or other facility of the authority for the purpose of connecting the same with any highway or other route in either state.
j. To borrow money and to evidence such loans by bonds, notes, or other obligations, either secured or unsecured, and either in registered or unregistered form, and to fund or refund such evidences of indebtedness, which may be executed with facsimile signatures of such persons as may be designated by the authority and by a facsimile of its corporate seal.
k. To procure and keep in force adequate insurance or otherwise provide for the adequate protection of its property, as well as to indemnify it or its officers, agents, or employees against loss or liability with respect to any risk to which it or they may be exposed in carrying out any function hereunder.
l. To grant the use of, by franchise, lease, or otherwise, and to make charges for the use of, any crossing, facility, or other project or property owned or controlled by it.
m. To exercise the right of eminent domain to acquire any property or interest therein.
n. To determine the exact location, system, and character of and all other matters in connection with any and all crossings, transportation or terminal facilities, commerce facilities or developments, or other projects which it may be authorized to own, construct, establish, effectuate, operate, or control.
o. To exercise all other powers not inconsistent with the Constitutions of the two states or of the United States, which may be reasonably necessary or incidental to the effectuation of its authorized purposes or to the exercise of any of the foregoing powers, except the power to levy taxes or assessments, and generally to exercise in connection with its property and affairs, and in connection with property within its control, any and all powers which might be exercised by a natural person or a private corporation in connection with similar property and affairs.
ARTICLE VIII
ADDITIONAL POWERS
For the purpose of effectuating the authorized purposes of the authority, additional powers may be granted to the authority by legislation of either state without the concurrence of the other, and may be exercised within such state, or may be granted to the authority by Congress and exercised by it; but no additional duties or obligations shall be undertaken by the authority under the law of either state or of Congress without authorization by the law of both states.
ARTICLE IX
EMINENT DOMAIN
If the authority shall find and determine that any property or interest therein is required for a public use in furtherance of the purposes of the authority, [said] that determination shall not be affected by the fact that such property has theretofore been taken over or is then devoted to a public use, but the public use in the hands or under the control of the authority, shall be deemed superior to the public use for which it has theretofore been taken or to which it is then devoted. The authority shall not exercise the power of eminent domain granted herein to acquire any property, other than a crossing, devoted to a public use, of either state, or of any municipality, local government, agency, public authority, or commission, or of two or more of them, for any purpose other than a crossing, without having first secured the authorization of the holder of the title to the land in question and such other approvals as may be required by legislation of the state in which the project is to be located. The authority shall not exercise the power of eminent domain in connection with any commerce facility or development.
In any condemnation proceeding in connection with the acquisition by the authority of property or property rights of any character in either state and the right of inspection and immediate entry thereon, through the exercise by it of its power of eminent domain, any existing or future law or rule of court of the state in which such property is located with respect to the condemnation of property for the construction, reconstruction, and maintenance of highways therein, shall control. The authority shall have the same power and authority with respect thereto as the state agency named in any such law; provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed as requiring joint or concurrent action by the two states with respect to the enactment, repeal, or amendment of any law or rule of court on the subject of condemnation under which the authority may proceed by virtue of this article.
If the established grade of any street, avenue, highway, or other route shall be changed by reason of the construction by the authority of any work so as to cause loss or injury to any property abutting on such street, avenue, highway, or other route, the authority may enter into voluntary agreements with such abutting property owners and pay reasonable compensation for any loss or injury so sustained, whether or not it be compensable as damages under the condemnation law of the state.
The power of the authority to acquire property by condemnation shall be a continuing power, and no exercise thereof shall be deemed to exhaust it.
ARTICLE X
REVENUES AND APPLICATION
a. The authority is hereby authorized to establish, levy, and collect [such] tolls and other charges as it may deem necessary, proper, or desirable, in connection with any crossing, transportation or terminal facility, commerce facility or development, or other project which it is or may be authorized at any time to construct, own, operate or control, and the aggregate of said tolls and charges shall be at least sufficient (1) to meet the combined expenses of operation, maintenance, and improvement thereof, (2) to pay the cost of acquisition or construction, including the payment, amortization, and retirement of bonds or other securities or obligations assumed, issued, or incurred by the authority, together with interest thereon and (3) to provide reserves for such purposes; and the authority is hereby authorized and empowered, subject to prior pledges, if any, to pledge such tolls and other revenues or any part thereof as security for the repayment with interest of any moneys borrowed by it or advanced to it for its authorized purposes and as security for the satisfaction of any other obligations assumed by it in connection with such loans or advances. There shall be allocated to the cost of the acquisition, construction, operation, maintenance, and improvement of such facilities and projects, such proportion of the general expenses of the authority as it shall deem properly chargeable thereto.
b. No action taken by the authority to increase tolls, charges, or fares on the Delaware Memorial Bridge or the Cape May-Lewes Ferry shall have force or effect without first giving public notice and holding public hearings within the New Jersey counties of Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem and all counties in the State of Delaware concerning the proposed increase in tolls, charges, or fares. The authority shall be required to provide appropriate supporting information and financial records related to the proposed increase in tolls, charges, or fares to the presiding officers of the Legislature of the State of Delaware and the Legislature of the State of New Jersey at least five days in advance of the first public hearing required to be held on the proposed increase.
ARTICLE XI
COVENANT WITH BONDHOLDERS
The two said states covenant and agree with each other and with the holders of any bonds or other securities or obligations of the authority, assumed, issued, or incurred by it and as security for which there may be pledged the tolls and revenues or any part thereof of any crossing, transportation or terminal facility, commerce facility or development, or other project, that the two said states will not, so long as any of such bonds or other obligations remain outstanding and unpaid, diminish or impair the power of the authority to establish, levy, and collect tolls and other charges in connection therewith, and that neither of the two said states will, so long as any of such bonds or other obligations remain outstanding and unpaid, authorize any crossing of the Delaware River or Delaware Bay south of the line mentioned in Article IV (a) of this compact, by any person or body other than the authority; unless, in either case, adequate provision shall be made by law for the protection of those advancing money upon such obligations.
ARTICLE XII
SECURITIES LAWFUL INVESTMENTS
The bonds or other securities or obligations which may be issued by the authority pursuant to this compact, or any amendments hereof or supplements hereto, are hereby declared to be negotiable instruments, and are hereby made securities in which all state and municipal officers and bodies of each state, all banks, bankers, trust companies, savings banks, building and loan associations, savings and loan associations, investment companies, and other persons carrying on a banking business, all insurance companies, insurance associations, and other persons carrying on an insurance business, and all administrators, executors, guardians, trustees, and other fiduciaries and all other persons whatsoever who are now or may hereafter be authorized to invest in bonds or other obligations of either state, may properly and legally invest any funds, including capital, belonging to them or within their control; and said obligations are hereby made securities which may properly and legally be deposited with and shall be received by any state or municipal officer or agency of either state for any purpose for which the deposit of bonds or other obligations of such state is now or may hereafter be authorized.
ARTICLE XIII
TAX STATUS
The powers and functions exercised by the authority under this compact and any amendments hereof or supplements hereto are and will be in all respects for the benefit of the people of the states of Delaware and New Jersey, the region and nation, for the increase of their commerce and prosperity and for the enhancement of their general welfare. To this end, the authority shall be regarded as performing essential governmental functions in exercising such powers and functions and in carrying out the provisions of this compact and of any law relating thereto, and shall not be required to pay any taxes or assessments of any character, levied by either state or political subdivision thereof, upon any of the property used by it for such purposes, or any income or revenue therefrom, including any profit from a sale or exchange. The bonds or other securities or obligations issued by the authority, their transfer, and the interest paid thereon or income therefrom, including any profit from a sale or exchange, shall at all times be free from taxation by either state or any subdivision thereof.
ARTICLE XIV
JURISDICTION; USE OF LANDS
Each of the two states hereby consents to the use and occupancy by the authority of any lands and property of the authority in such state for the construction, operation, maintenance, or improvement of any crossing, transportation or terminal facility, commerce facility or development, or other project which it is or may be authorized at any time to construct, own, or operate, including lands lying under water.
ARTICLE XV
REVIEW AND ENFORCEMENT OF RULES
Judicial proceedings to review any bylaw, rule, regulation, order, or other action of the authority or to determine the meaning or effect thereof, may be brought in such court of each state, and pursuant to such law or rules thereof, as a similar proceeding with respect to any agency of such state might be brought.
Each state may provide by law what penalty or penalties shall be imposed for violation of any lawful rule, regulation, or order of the authority, and, by law or rule of court, for the manner of enforcing the same.
ARTICLE XVI
NO PLEDGE OF CREDIT
The authority shall have no power to pledge the credit or to create any debt or liability of the State of Delaware, of the State of New Jersey, or of any other agency or of any political subdivision of said states.
ARTICLE XVII
LOCAL COOPERATION AND AGREEMENTS
a. All municipalities, political subdivisions, and every department, agency, or public body of each of the states are hereby authorized and empowered to cooperate with, aid, and assist the authority in effectuating the provisions of this compact and of any amendment hereof or supplement hereto.
b. The authority is authorized and empowered to cooperate with each of the states, or any political subdivision thereof, and with any municipality, local government, agency, public authority, or commission of the foregoing, in connection with the acquisition, planning, rehabilitation, construction, or development of any project, other than a crossing, and to enter into an agreement or agreements, subject to compliance with the laws of the state in which the project is to be located, with each of the states, or with any political subdivision thereof, and with any municipality, county, local government, agency, public authority, or commission or with two or more of them, for or relating to such purposes.
c. The authority and the city, town, municipality, or other political subdivision in which any project, other than a crossing, is to be located are hereby authorized and empowered, subject to compliance with the laws of the state in which the project is to be located, to enter into an agreement or agreements to provide which local laws, resolutions, ordinances, rules, and regulations, if any, of the city, town, municipality, or other political subdivision affected by such project shall apply to such project. All other existing local laws, resolutions, ordinances, or rules and regulations not provided for in the agreement shall be applicable to the project, other than a crossing. All local laws, resolutions, ordinances, or rules and regulations enacted after the date of the agreement shall not be applicable to such projects unless made applicable by the agreement or any modification thereto.
ARTICLE XVIII
DEPOSITARIES
All banks, bankers, trust companies, savings banks, and other persons carrying on a banking business under the laws of either state are authorized to give security for the safekeeping and prompt payment of moneys of the authority deposited by it with them, in such manner and form as may be required by and may be approved by the authority, which security may consist of a good and sufficient undertaking with such sureties as may be approved by the authority, or may consist of the deposit with the authority or other depositary approved by the authority as collateral of such securities as the authority may approve.
ARTICLE XIX
AGENCY POLICE
Members of the police force established by the authority, regardless of their residence, shall have in each state, on the crossings, transportation or terminal facilities, commerce facilities or developments, and other projects and the approaches thereto, owned, operated, or controlled by the authority, and at such other places and under such circumstances as the law of each state may provide, all the powers of investigation, detention, and arrest conferred by law on peace officers, sheriffs, or constables in such state or usually exercised by such officers in each state.
ARTICLE XX
REPORTS AND AUDITS
a. The authority shall make annual reports to the Governors and Legislatures of the State of Delaware and the State of New Jersey, setting forth in detail its operations and transactions, and may make such additional reports from time to time to the Governors and Legislatures as it may deem desirable.
It shall, at least annually, cause an independent audit of its fiscal affairs to be made and shall furnish a copy of such audit report together with such additional information or data with respect to its affairs as it may deem desirable to the Governors and Legislatures of each state.
It shall furnish such information or data with respect to its affairs as may be requested by the Governor or Legislature of each state.
b. The authority shall, within 180 days after the end of each fiscal year of the authority, submit to the Governor and Legislature of the State of Delaware and the Governor and Legislature of the State of New Jersey a complete and detailed report of the following:
(1) its operations and accomplishments during the completed fiscal year;
(2) its receipts and disbursements or revenues and expenses during that year in accordance with the categories and classifications established by the authority for its own operating and capital outlay purposes;
(3) its assets and liabilities at the end of the fiscal year, including the status of reserve, depreciation, special, or other funds including debits and credits of these funds;
(4) a schedule of bonds and notes outstanding at the end of the fiscal year;
(5) a list of all contracts exceeding $100,000 entered into during the fiscal year;
(6) a business or strategic plan for the authority and for each of its operating divisions;
(7) a capital plan containing specific goals and objectives including, but not limited to, economic development goals and objectives in the State of Delaware and in the New Jersey counties of Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem; and
(8) the authority's progress toward meeting the prior year's economic development goals and objectives.
ARTICLE XXI
BOUNDARIES UNAFFECTED
The existing territorial or boundary lines of the states, or the jurisdiction of the two states established by said boundary lines, shall not be changed hereby.
ARTICLE XXII
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
a. The planning, development, construction, and operation of any project, other than a crossing, shall comply with all environmental protection laws, regulations, directives, and orders, including, without limitation, any coastal zone laws, wetlands laws, or subaqueous land laws or natural resource laws, now or hereafter enacted, or promulgated by the state in which the project, or any part thereof, is located.
b. The planning, development, construction, and operation of any project, other than a crossing, to be located in the Delaware River and Bay shall comply with all environmental protection laws, regulations, directives, and orders, including, without limitation, any coastal zone laws, wetlands laws, subaqueous land laws or natural resource laws, now or hereafter enacted or promulgated by either state.
c. The planning, development, construction, and operation of any project, other than a crossing, located in the coastal zone of Delaware (as defined in Chapter 70 of Title 7 of the Delaware Code, as in effect on January 1, 1989), shall be subject to the same limitations, requirements, procedures and appeals as apply to any other person under the Delaware Coastal Zone Act, Chapter 70 of Title 7 of the Delaware Code, as in effect on January 1, 1989. Nothing in this compact shall be deemed to preempt, modify, or supersede any provision of the Delaware Coastal Zone Act, Chapter 70 of Title 7 of the Delaware Code, as in effect on January 1, 1989. The interpretation and application of this paragraph shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware and be determined by the courts of the State of Delaware.
d. The planning, development, construction, and operation of any project, other than a crossing, located in New Jersey, shall be subject to the provisions of New Jersey law, when applicable, including, but not limited to, "The Wetlands Act of 1970," P.L.1970, c.272 (C.13:9A-1 et seq.) and the "Coastal Area Facility Review Act," P.L.1973, c.185 (C.13:19-1 et seq.).
(cf: P.L.2003, c.192, s.1)
3. (New section) The Governor is authorized to apply, on behalf of the State of New Jersey, to the Congress of the United States for its consent and approval to such supplemental compact or agreement, but in the absence of such consent and approval, the authority referred to in such supplemental compact or agreement shall have all of the powers the State of Delaware and the State of New Jersey may confer upon it without the consent and approval of Congress.
4. Section 3 of P.L.1941, c.100 (C.34:13A-3) is amended to read as follows:
3. When used in [this act] P.L.1941, c.100 (C.34:13A-1 et seq.):
(a) The term "board" shall mean New Jersey State Board of Mediation.
(b) The term "commission" shall mean New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission.
(c) The term "employer" includes an employer and any person acting, directly or indirectly, on behalf of or in the interest of an employer with the employer's knowledge or ratification, but a labor organization, or any officer or agent thereof, shall be considered an employer only with respect to individuals employed by such organization. This term shall include "public employers" and shall mean the State of New Jersey, or the several counties and municipalities thereof, or any other political subdivision of the State, or a school district, or any special district, or any authority, commission, or board, or any branch or agency of the public service. The term shall also include the Delaware River Port Authority, established pursuant to R.S.32:3-1 et seq., and the Delaware River and Bay Authority, established pursuant to P.L.1961, c.66 (C.32:11E-1 et seq.).
(d) The term "employee" shall include any employee, and shall not be limited to the employees of a particular employer unless this act explicitly states otherwise, and shall include any individual whose work has ceased as a consequence of or in connection with any current labor dispute or because of any unfair labor practice and who has not obtained any other regular and substantially equivalent employment. This term, however, shall not include any individual taking the place of any employee whose work has ceased as aforesaid, nor shall it include any individual employed by his parent or spouse, or in the domestic service of any person in the home of the employer, or employed by any company owning or operating a railroad or railway express subject to the provisions of the Railway Labor Act (45 U.S.C. s.151 et seq.). This term shall include any public employee, i.e., any person holding a position, by appointment or contract, or employment in the service of a public employer, including the Delaware River Port Authority and the Delaware River and Bay Authority, except elected officials, members of boards and commissions, managerial executives, and confidential employees.
(e) The term "representative" is not limited to individuals but shall include labor organizations, and individual representatives need not themselves be employed by, and the labor organization serving as a representative need not be limited in membership to the employees of, the employer whose employees are represented. This term shall include any organization, agency, or person authorized or designated by a public employer, public employee, group of public employees, or public employee association to act on its behalf and represent it or them.
(f) "Managerial executives" of a public employer, in the case of the State of New Jersey, means persons who formulate management policies and practices, but shall not mean persons who are charged with the responsibility of directing the effectuation of such management policies and practices, except that, in the case of the Executive Branch of the State of New Jersey, "managerial executive" shall include only personnel at or above the level of assistant commissioner.
In the case of any public employer other than the State of New Jersey, "managerial executives" of a public employer means persons who formulate management policies and practices, and persons who are charged with the responsibility of directing the effectuation of such management policies and practices, except that in any school district this term shall include only the superintendent or other chief administrator, and the assistant superintendent of the district.
(g) "Confidential employees" of a public employer means employees whose functional responsibilities or knowledge in connection with the issues involved in the collective negotiations process would make their membership in any appropriate negotiating unit incompatible with their official duties.
"Confidential employees" of the State of New Jersey means employees who have direct involvement in representing the State in the collective negotiations process making their membership in any appropriate negotiating unit incompatible with their official duties.
(cf: P.L.2009, c.314, s.1)
5. This section and sections 1 through 3 of this act shall take effect immediately; but the Governor shall not enter into the supplemental compact or agreement hereinabove set forth on behalf of the State of New Jersey until passage by the State of Delaware of a substantially similar act embodying the supplemental compact or agreement between the two States. Section 4 shall take effect upon passage of that substantially similar act, and the consent and approval of Congress to that supplemental compact or agreement, if that consent and approval is required to confer the powers granted in this act upon the Delaware River and Bay Authority.
STATEMENT
This bill amends the compact between the State of Delaware and the State of New Jersey creating the Delaware River and Bay Authority. The bill provides that employees of the Delaware River and Bay Authority are to be subject to the provisions of the "New Jersey Employer - Employee Relations Act," and have all of the rights provided to employees by that act, including but not limited to, the right to form, join, or assist an employee organization, and the right to have that employee organization engage in collective bargaining on behalf of the employees. The bill also amends the "New Jersey Employer-Employee Relations Act" by adding the Delaware River and Bay Authority as a public employer subject to the act.
The enactment by Delaware of substantially similar legislation is required, and approval of Congress may be required, before the bill's provisions may become operative.
