Bill Text: NJ S2765 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Requires State, regional, and local authorities, boards, and commissions to establish an Internet website and post information related to each entity's mission, finances, meetings, and employees. *
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-2)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-12-15 - Substituted by A3908 (ACS/1R) [S2765 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-S2765-Amended.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JENNIFER BECK
District 12 (Mercer and Monmouth)
Senator BARBARA BUONO
District 18 (Middlesex)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senators Rice and Van Drew
SYNOPSIS
Requires State, regional, and local authorities, boards, and commissions to establish an Internet website and post information related to each entity's mission, finances, meetings, and employees.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee on May 12, 2011, with amendments.
An Act requiring 1State, regional, and1 local authorities1, boards, and commissions1 to establish a website, and amending and supplementing various sections of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. (New section) The soil conservation district shall maintain an Internet website. The purpose of the website shall be to provide increased public access to district operations and activities. The following information1, if applicable,1 shall be posted on the district's website:
a. a description of the district's mission and responsibilities;
b. the 1[adopted]1 budget 1once adopted1 for the current 1[fiscal year]1 and 1[three preceding] immediately prior, and all future1 fiscal years;
c. the most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report or other similar financial information;
d. the annual audit for the most recent 1and immediately prior, and all future1 fiscal 1[year and three preceding fiscal]1 years;
e. the district's rules, regulations, 1[resolutions,]1 and official policy statements 1adopted in the current, immediately prior, and all future fiscal years1;
f. notice, posted 1[at least five business days prior to] pursuant to the "Senator Byron M. Baer Open Public Meetings Act," P.L. 1975, c. 231 (C. 10:4-6 et seq.), of1 a meeting of the board of supervisors or any of its committees, setting forth the time, date, location, and agenda of the meeting;
g. the approved minutes of each meeting of the board1including all resolutions of the board1 and its committees 1for the current, immediately prior, and all future fiscal years1;
h. the name and phone number of a principal executive officer having overall responsibility for the operations of the district; and
i. a list of all full-time and part-time employees of the district.
For the purposes of this section "full- and part-time employees of the district" shall mean and include, but not be limited to: salaried employees, hourly employees, professional employees, attorneys, advisors, consultants, and any other person, firm, business, partnership, corporation, or other organization which receive any remuneration for any service whatsoever rendered to the soil 1[conervation] conservation1 district.
2. (New section) Each Workforce Investment Board shall maintain an Internet website. The purpose of the website shall be to provide increased public access to the board's operations and activities. The following information1, if applicable,1 shall be posted on the board's website:
a. a description of the board's mission and responsibilities;
b. the 1[adopted]1 budget 1once adopted1 for the current 1[fiscal year]1 and 1[three preceding] immediately prior, and all future1 fiscal years;
c. the most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report or similar financial information;
d. the annual audit for the most recent 1, immediately prior, and all future1 fiscal year 1[and three preceding fiscal years]1;
e. the board's rules, regulations, 1[resolutions,]1 and official policy statements 1adopted in the current, immediately prior, and all future fiscal years1;
f. notice, posted 1[at least five business days prior to] pursuant to the "Senator Byron M. Baer Open Public Meetings Act," P.L.1975, c.231 (C.10:4-6 et seq.), of1 a meeting of the Workforce Investment Board or any of its committees, setting forth the time, date, location, and agenda of the meeting;
g. the approved minutes 1including all resolutions of the board1 of each meeting of the Workforce Investment Board and its committees 1for the current, immediately prior, and all future fiscal years1;
h. the name and phone number of a principal executive officer having overall responsibility for the operations of the Workforce Investment Board; and
i. a list of all full-time and part-time employees of the Workforce Investment Board.
For the purposes of this section "full- and part-time employees of the Workforce Investment Board" shall mean and include, but not be limited to: salaried employees, hourly employees, professional employees, attorneys, advisors, consultants, and any other person, firm, business, partnership, corporation, or other organization which receive any remuneration for any service whatsoever rendered to the Workforce Investment Board.
3. (New section) Any county park commission established pursuant to the chapter 37 of Title 40 of the Revised Statutes shall maintain an Internet website. The purpose of the website shall be to provide increased public access to the county park commission's operations and activities. The following information1, if applicable,1 shall be posted on the county park commission's website:
a. a description of the county park commission's mission and responsibilities;
b. the 1[adopted]1 budget 1once adopted1 for the current 1[fiscal year]1 and 1[three preceding] immediately prior, and all future 1 fiscal years;
c. the most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report or other similar financial information;
d. the annual audit for the most recent 1, immediately prior, and all future 1 fiscal 1[year and three preceding fiscal]1 years;
e. the 1[district's] county park commission's1 rules, regulations, 1[resolutions,]1 and official policy statements 1adopted in the current, immediately prior, and all future fiscal years1;
f. notice, posted 1[at least five business days prior to] pursuant to the "Senator Byron M. Baer Open Public Meetings Act," P.L.1975, c.231 (C.10:4-6 et seq.), of1 a meeting of the county park commission or any of its committees, setting forth the time, date, location, and agenda of the meeting;
g. the approved minutes of each meeting of the commission 1including all resolutions of the board1 and its committees 1for the current, immediately prior, and all future fiscal years1;
h. the name and phone number of a principal executive officer having overall responsibility for the operations of the county park commission; and
i. a list of all full-time and part-time employees of the county park commission.
For the purposes of this section "full- and part-time employees of the county park commission" shall mean and include, but not be limited to: salaried employees, hourly employees, professional employees, attorneys, advisors, consultants, and any other person, firm, business, partnership, corporation, or other organization which receive any remuneration for any service whatsoever rendered to the county park commission.
4. (New section) The joint insurance fund shall maintain an Internet website. The purpose of the website shall be to provide increased public access to the joint insurance fund's operations and activities. The following information1, if applicable,1 shall be posted on the joint insurance fund's website:
a. a description of the joint insurance fund's mission and responsibilities;
b. the 1[adopted]1 budget 1once adopted1 for the current 1[fiscal year]1 and 1[three preceding] immediately prior, and all future 1 fiscal years;
c. the most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and the annual independent audit similar financial information;
d. the annual 1independent1 audit for the most recent fiscal year and 1[three preceding fiscal years] the immediately prior, and all future fiscal years1;
e. the joint insurance fund's 1[rules, regulations, resolutions, and]1 official policy statements1, bylaws, risk management plan and cash investment policy plan for the current, immediately prior, and all future fiscal years1;
f. notice, posted 1[at least five business days prior to] pursuant to the "Senator Byron M. Baer Open Public Meetings Act," P.L.1975, c.231 (C.10:4-6 et seq.), of1 a meeting of the insurance fund commissioners or any of their committees, setting forth the time, date, location, and agenda of the meeting;
g. the minutes of each meeting of the insurance fund commissioners 1including all resolutions of the commission1 and their committees 1for the current, immediately prior, and all future fiscal year1;
h. the name and phone number of a principal executive officer having overall responsibility for the operations of the joint insurance fund; and
i. a list of all full-time and part-time employees of the joint insurance fund.
For the purposes of this section "full- and part-time employees of the joint insurance fund" shall mean and include, but not be limited to: salaried employees, hourly employees, professional employees, attorneys, advisors, consultants, and any other person, firm, business, partnership, corporation, or other organization which receive any remuneration for any service whatsoever rendered 1directly1 to the joint insurance fund. 1For the purposes of this section, "rendered directly to the joint insurance fund" shall not include claim payments to service providers for services rendered to individual joint insurance fund members, their employees, or eligible dependents arising out of claims made under the benefit plans provided through the joint insurance fund.1
5. (New section) Any fire district established pursuant to N.J.S.40A:14-70 shall maintain an Internet website. The purpose of the website shall be to provide increased public access to the fire district's operations and activities. The following information1, if applicable,1 shall be posted on the fire district's website:
a. a description of the fire district's mission and responsibilities;
b. the 1[adopted]1 budget 1once adopted1 for the current 1[fiscal year]1 and 1[three preceding] immediately prior, and all future 1 fiscal years;
c. the most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report or similar financial information;
d. the annual audit for the most recent 1, immediately prior, and all future 1 fiscal 1[year and three preceding fiscal]1 years;
e. the fire district's rules, regulations, 1[resolutions,]1 and official policy statements 1adopted in the current, immediately prior, and all future fiscal year1;
f. notice, posted 1[at least five business days prior to] pursuant to the "Senator Byron M. Baer Open Public Meetings Act," P.L.1975, c.231 (C.10:4-6 et seq.), of1 a meeting of the board of fire commissioners or any of their committees, setting forth the time, date, location, and agenda of the meeting;
g. the minutes of each meeting of the board of fire commissioners 1including all resolutions of the commission1 and their committees 1for the current, immediately prior, and all future fiscal year1;
h. the name and phone number of a principal executive officer or raking elected official having overall responsibility for the operations of fire district; and
i. a list of all full-time and part-time employees of the fire district.
For the purposes of this section "full- and part-time employees of the fire district" shall mean and include, but not be limited to: salaried employees, hourly employees, professional employees, attorneys, advisors, consultants, and any other person, firm, business, partnership, corporation, or other organization which receive any remuneration for any service whatsoever rendered to the fire district but shall not include volunteers receiving benefits under a length of service award program established pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1997, c.388 (C.40A:14-185).
6. Section 4 of P.L.1938, c.67 (C.26:3-86) is amended to read as follows:
4. a. A regional health commission shall arrange annually with each board of health participating therein as to the nature and amount of public health services, approved by the Director of Health of New Jersey, to be furnished by the said commission to such board of health and the sum to be paid by the board of health to the commission for such services. It shall report annually to each board of health participating therein, and to the State Department of Health, regarding its activities for the year.
b. The regional health commission shall maintain an Internet website. The purpose of the website shall be to provide increased public access to regional health commission's operations and activities. The following information shall be posted1, if applicable,1 on the regional health commission's website:
(1) a description of the 1[agency's] regional health commission's1 mission and responsibilities;
(2) the 1[adopted]1 budget 1once adopted1 for the current 1[fiscal year]1 and 1[three preceding] immediately prior, and all future 1 fiscal years;
(3) the most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report or other similar financial information;
(4) the annual audit for the most recent 1, immediately prior, and all future 1 fiscal years 1[and three preceding fiscal years]1;
(5) the 1[district's] regional health commission's1 rules, regulations, 1[resolutions,]1 and official policy statements 1adopted in the current, immediately prior, and all future fiscal years1;
(6). notice, posted 1[at least five business days prior to] pursuant to the "Senator Byron M. Baer Open Public Meetings Act," P.L.1975, c.231 (C.10:4-6 et seq.), of1 a meeting of the board of supervisors or any of its committees, setting forth the time, date, location, and agenda of the meeting;
(7) the minutes of each meeting of the board 1including all resolutions of the board1 and its committees 1for the current, immediately prior, and all future fiscal years1;
(8) the name and phone number of a principal executive officer having overall responsibility for the operations of the regional health commission; and
(9) a list of all full-time and part-time employees of the regional health commission.
For the purposes of this section "full- and part-time employees of the regional health commission" shall mean and include, but not be limited to: salaried employees, hourly employees, professional employees, attorneys, advisors, consultants, and any other person, firm, business, partnership, corporation, or other organization which receive any remuneration for any service whatsoever rendered to the regional health commission.
(cf: PL.1938, c.67, s.4)
1[7. Section 5 of P.L.1983, c.313 (C.40A:5A-5) is amended to read as follows:
5. The Local Finance Board shall, within 60 days of its receipt of an application pursuant to section 4 of [this act] P.L.1983, c.313 (C.40A:5A-4), approve in writing the creation of the proposed authority if it shall determine that the creation of the proposed authority is an efficient and feasible means of providing and financing this project or projects, given the needs of, and the financial burdens to be placed upon, the inhabitants of the local unit or units.
If the application is not disapproved within 60 days of its submission to the Local Finance Board, it shall be deemed to be approved, and the local unit or units may proceed to adopt the proposed ordinance or resolution. If the Local Finance Board shall not approve the creation of the authority, it shall specify in writing the reason or reasons therefor, and shall file its statement with the clerk or clerks of the local unit or units. A local unit shall not adopt any ordinance or resolution which is disapproved by the Local Finance Board within the 60 days, but may resubmit the application to the board with such changes as the local unit deems appropriate, and the review and approval of the resubmitted application shall be subject to the limitations set forth above.
Any authority subject to the provisions of this chapter shall maintain an Internet website. The purpose of the website shall be to provide increased public access to the authority's operations and activities. The following information shall be posted on the authority's website:
(1) a description of the authority's mission and responsibilities;
(2) the adopted budget for the current fiscal year and three preceding fiscal years;
(3) the most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report or other similar financial information;
(4) the annual audit for the most recent fiscal year and three preceding fiscal years;
(5) the authority's rules, regulations, resolutions, and official policy statements;
(6) notice, posted at least five business days prior to a meeting of the authority or any of its committees, setting forth the time, date, location, and agenda of the meeting;
(7) the minutes of each meeting of the authority and its committees;
(8) the name and phone number of a principal executive officer having overall responsibility for the operations of the authority; and
(9) a list of all full-time and part-time employees of the authority.
For the purposes of this section "full- and part-time employees of the authority" shall mean and include, but not be limited to: salaried employees, hourly employees, professional employees, attorneys, advisors, consultants, and any other person, firm, business, partnership, corporation, or other organization which receive any remuneration for any service whatsoever rendered to the authority.
(cf: P.L.1983, c.313, s.5)]1
17. (New section) Any authority subject to the provisions of this chapter shall maintain an Internet website. The purpose of the website shall be to provide increased public access to the authority's operations and activities. The following information, if applicable, shall be posted on the authority's website:
(1) a description of the authority's mission and responsibilities;
(2) the budget once adopted for the current, immediately prior, and all future fiscal years;
(3) the most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report or other similar financial information;
(4) the annual audit for the most recent, immediately prior, and all future fiscal years;
(5) the authority's rules, regulations, and official policy statements adopted in the current, immediately prior, and all future fiscal years;
(6) notice, posted pursuant to the "Senator Byron M. Baer Open Public Meetings Act," P.L.1975, c.231 (C.10:4-6 et seq.), of a meeting of the authority or any of its committees, setting forth the time, date, location, and agenda of the meeting;
(7) the minutes of each meeting of the authority, including all resolutions of the board, and its committees, for the current, immediately prior, and all future fiscal years;
(8) the name and phone number of a principal executive officer having overall responsibility for the operations of the authority; and
(9) a list of all full-time and part-time employees of the authority.
For the purposes of this section "full- and part-time employees of the authority" shall mean and include, but not be limited to: salaried employees, hourly employees, professional employees, attorneys, advisors, consultants, and any other person, firm, business, partnership, corporation, or other organization which receive any remuneration for any service whatsoever rendered to the of the authority.1
8. Section 8 of P.L.1983, c.303 (C.52:27H-67) is amended to read as follows:
8. a. The governing body of any qualifying municipality may, by ordinance, create or designate a nonprofit corporation established pursuant to the provisions of Title 15 of the Revised Statutes or Title 15A of the New Jersey Statutes to act as the zone development corporation for the municipality. Any zone development corporation so created or so designated shall include on its board of directors representatives of the government of the qualifying municipality, members of the business community thereof, and representatives of community organizations in the municipality, and the total membership of the board of directors shall be broadly representative of businesses and communities within the municipality.
b. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, a zone development corporation shall be considered to be a local development corporation for the purpose of receiving any State financial or technical assistance as may be available, and the creation of a zone development corporation shall not preclude a qualifying municipality from creating another local development corporation for the municipality with responsibilities not related to the enterprise zone, nor preclude that other corporation from receiving State financial or technical assistance.
c. The zone development corporation shall develop and maintain an Internet website. The purpose of the website shall be to provide increased public access to the zone development corporation's operations and activities. The following information1, if applicable,1 shall be posted on the zone development corporation's website:
(1) a description of the zone development corporation's mission and responsibilities;
(2) the 1[adopted]1 budget 1once adopted1 for the current 1[fiscal year]1 and 1[three preceding] immediately prior, and all future1 fiscal years;
(3) the most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report or other similar financial information;
(4) the annual audit for the most recent 1, immediately prior, and all future1 fiscal 1[year and three preceding fiscal]1 years;
(5) the zone development corporation's rules, regulations, 1[resolutions,]1 and official policy statements 1adopted in the current, immediately prior, and all future fiscal years1;
(6) notice, posted 1[at least five business days prior to] pursuant to the "Senator Byron M. Baer Open Public Meetings Act," P.L.1975, c.231 (C.10:4-6 et seq.), of1 a meeting of the zone development corporation or any of its committees, setting forth the time, date, location, and agenda of the meeting;
(7) the minutes of each meeting of the zone development corporation 1including all resolutions of the board1 and its committees 1for the current, immediately prior, and all future fiscal years1;
(8) the name and phone number of a principal executive officer having overall responsibility for the operations of the zone development corporation; and
(9) a list of all full-time and part-time employees of the zone development corporation.
For the purposes of this section "full- and part-time employees of the zone development corporation" shall mean and include, but not be limited to: salaried employees, hourly employees, professional employees, attorneys, advisors, consultants, and any other person, firm, business, partnership, corporation, or other organization which receive any remuneration for any service whatsoever rendered to the zone development corporation.
(cf: P.L.1993, c.367, s.4)
19. (New section) a. As used in this section:
"Environmental authority, board, or commission" means an authority, board, commission, or other public body authorized by law to provide water, sewer, or other utility services, or to engage in the zoning of facilities for, or the planning for, the provision of such services.
"Member" of an authority, board, or commission means a member of the governing body of that authority, board, or commission, and includes a person appointed as a member by a State, county, local, or other governmental official or who holds membership ex officio.
"Regional authority" means:
(1) The Passaic Valley Sewerage Commissioners;
(2) The North Jersey District Water Supply Commission;
(3) The New Jersey Meadowlands Commission;
(4) The Passaic Valley Water Commission; and
(5) Any environmental authority, board, or commission, not included among the foregoing, owning real property assets or providing services in more than one county, including, but not limited to, those subject to oversight pursuant to the "Local Authorities Fiscal Control Law," P.L.1983, c.313 (C.40A:5A-1 et seq.) or appointed pursuant to R.S.40:62-109 regarding joint water commissions.
"State authority, board, or commission" means any authority, board, commission, or other public body, independent or otherwise, authorized by the State through statute or Executive Order.
b. Any State authority, board, or commission, regional authority, or environmental authority, board, or commission shall develop and maintain an Internet website. The purpose of the website shall be to provide increased public access to the authority, board, or commission's operations and activities. The following information, if applicable, shall be posted on the website:
(1) a description of the authority, board, or commission's mission and responsibilities;
(2) the budget once adopted for the current, immediately prior, and all future fiscal years;
(3) the most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report or other similar financial information;
(4) the annual audit for the most recent, immediately prior¸ and all future fiscal year;
(5) the authority, board, or commission's rules, regulations, and official policy statements adopted in the current, immediately prior, and all future fiscal year;
(6) notice, posted pursuant to the "Senator Byron M. Baer Open Public Meetings Act," P.L.1975, c.231 (C.10:4-6 et seq.), of a meeting of the authority, board, or commission or any of its committees, setting forth the time, date, location, and agenda of the meeting;
(7) the minutes of each meeting of the authority board, or commission including all resolutions of the board and its committees for the current, immediately prior, and all future fiscal year;
(8) the name and phone number of a principal executive officer having overall responsibility for the operations of the authority, board, or commission; and
(9) a list of all full-time and part-time employees of the authority, board, or commission.
For the purposes of this section "full- and part-time employees of the authority, board, or commission" shall mean and include, but not be limited to: members of the authority, board, or commission, salaried employees, hourly employees, professional employees, attorneys, advisors, consultants, and any other person, firm, business, partnership, corporation, or other organization which receives any remuneration for any service whatsoever rendered to the authority, board, or commission.1
1[9.] 10.1 This act shall take effect 1[immediately] on the first day of the fourth month next following enactment1.
