Bill Text: NJ S1687 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Authorizes awards to State and local government employees for suggestions to save taxpayers money through sharing and consolidation.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-03-11 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee [S1687 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-S1687-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator DIANE B. ALLEN
District 7 (Burlington and Camden)
SYNOPSIS
Authorizes awards to State and local government employees for suggestions to save taxpayers money through sharing and consolidation.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning State and local public employee awards programs and amending N.J.S.11A:6-30 and N.J.S.40A:5-31.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. N.J.S.11A:6-30 is amended to read as follows:
11A:6-30. Awards. The committee, subject to appropriations made for that purpose, may provide awards to State employees for, but not limited to:
a. Meritorious suggestions and accomplishments which promote efficiency, productivity or economy;
b. Heroism or exceptional service;
c. Professional achievements; [and]
d. Service; and
e. Meritorious suggestions and accomplishments that result in savings for New Jersey taxpayers through the sharing of government services or consolidation of functions.
(cf: N.J.S.11A:6-30)
2. N.J.S.40A:5-31 is amended to read as follows:
40A:5-31. Any local unit may establish and maintain plans for award programs for employees, designed to promote efficiency and economy in government functions, to reward individual employees for meritorious performances and suggestions. Award programs may include any or all of the following:
A suggestion award program;
Awards for heroism;
An efficiency and incentive award program;
Awards for professional accomplishments;
Awards for service; and
Awards for savings realized for New Jersey taxpayers through the sharing of government services or consolidation of functions.
Any local unit shall have power and authority to make appropriations of money therefor, establish and make awards in the form of cash, medals, citation certificates, insignia or other appropriate devices to employees selected as recipients of awards by it or its committee appointed in accordance with programs established pursuant to this act. Such committee shall be known as the "Public Employees' Awards Committee" and shall consist of 5 persons who shall be officers or employees of the local unit, or members of the governing body, and no 2 of such officers or employees shall be employed in the same department of the local unit. Of the members first appointed to the committee, 2 shall be appointed for terms of 3 years, 2 for 2 years and 1 for 1 year, and thereafter appointments shall be made for terms of 3 years. Members shall serve for the terms for which they are appointed and until their successors have been appointed and qualified; a vacancy occurring by reason other than expiration of term shall be filled for the unexpired term. Members of the committee shall serve without compensation. The committee shall meet and organize as soon as practicable after the first appointment of members and annually, thereafter, on the call of the chief executive officer, and select a chairman from among its members. The committee shall hold regular meetings at least once each month during the year, except during July and August, at the call of the chairman or the chief executive officer of the local unit.
The committee is authorized to request, and shall receive, such assistance as it may require from any department, official or agency.
The committee shall be responsible for the formulation of programs and shall have the power to adopt and promulgate rules and regulations for the conduct and operation of awards programs.
The committee shall make an annual report to the governing body concerning the operation of awards programs established pursuant to this act.
(cf: N.J.S.40A:5-31)
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill permits the State to recognize State employees, and local government units to recognize their employees, for meritorious suggestions or accomplishments that result in savings to New Jersey taxpayers through the sharing of government services or consolidation of functions.
There is a tendency to think of government workers as anonymous bureaucrats who consume taxpayer dollars. The reality is that many public employees are innovators and leaders who exceed their job descriptions and performance expectations in ways that improve service delivery and save money for New Jersey taxpayers.
The New Jersey Employee Awards Committee, administered by the Department of Personnel, currently provides awards to State employees for meritorious suggestions, heroism, professional achievements and service. Local government units may also establish and maintain plans for awards programs for their employees.
