Bill Text: NJ S3135 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Establishes "New Jersey Military Advisory Board."

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-10-18 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee [S3135 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2018-S3135-Introduced.html

SENATE, No. 3135

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

218th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED OCTOBER 18, 2018

 


 

Sponsored by:

Senator  JEFF VAN DREW

District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Establishes "New Jersey Military Advisory Board."

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  


An Act establishing the "New Jersey Military Advisory Board" and supplementing Title 38A of the New Jersey Statutes. 

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.  There is hereby established within the Department of State the "New Jersey Military Advisory Board."

     a.  The board shall consist of 11 voting members as follows:  the Adjutant General of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, or a designee; the chair of the Council on Armed Forces and Veterans' Affairs, or a designee; the Military and Defense Economic Ombudsman, or a designee; four legislators, who shall serve during their term of office, one of whom shall be selected by the Senate President, one of whom shall be selected by the Senate Minority Leader, one of whom shall be selected by the Speaker of the General Assembly, and one of whom shall be selected by the Assembly Minority Leader; a representative from the Governor's Washington D.C. office; and three veterans, all of whom shall be appointed by the Governor. 

     Of the three members appointed by the Governor, no more than two shall be of the same political party.  Of the three veterans appointed, one shall be from North Jersey, one shall be from Central Jersey, and one shall be from South Jersey.  One of the three veterans first to be appointed shall be appointed for a term of two years, one shall be appointed for a term of three years, and one shall be appointed for a term of four years.  All appointments thereafter shall be for a term of four years. 

     b.  All appointments by the Governor to the board shall be made within 60 days after the effective date of this act, P.L.   , c.   (C.   ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).  All such appointed members shall serve until their respective successors are appointed and shall qualify, and any vacancy occurring among the appointed members of the board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the unexpired term and the appointee shall serve until a successor is appointed and shall qualify. 

 

     2.  a.  The board shall organize as soon as practicable after the appointment of its members and shall select a chair and vice-chair from among its members, and a secretary, who need not be a member of the board. 

     The board shall meet at the call of the chairperson.  A meeting of the board may also be called at the request of six of the board's members and six members of the board shall constitute a quorum at any meeting thereof.  The board may conduct business without a quorum, but may only vote when a quorum is present. 

     b.    The appointed members of the board shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for necessary expenditures incurred in the performance of their duties as members of the board.

     The board may incur traveling and other miscellaneous expenses as it may deem necessary, within the limits of funds made available to it for its purposes. 

     To cover the expenses actually incurred by the board in the performance of its official duties, the board shall have the power to accept contributions, made through the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, from the private sector and from members of the general public, and to apply for and receive private foundation grants. 

 

     3.    a.  It shall be the duty of the board to, no less than once a year, tour the military installations within the State and annually prepare a consolidated report on how to protect the military installations.  The board shall remain informed and engaged in the events and activities dealing with the military installations and their tenants, if applicable.  The board may also perform such other reviews and studies as the board may deem appropriate. 

     b.  The board shall work with the Congress of the United States, base commanders, and public and private entities, including, but not limited to, the Picatinny Enhancement Coalition, the Defense Enhancement Coalition, and the Chamber of Commerce, or their successors, in an effort to focus on any federal concerns and to allow the State to remain competitive and engaged in military matters.

     c.  The board shall annually issue a report to the Governor, and to the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1).  The report shall include, but need not be limited to, a summary of the work performed by the board during the prior year, a detailed discussion of the board's policy recommendations, and a listing of any relevant pending legislation that the board believes should be enacted by the Legislature.  Each report shall be made available in a prominent location on the website of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. 

 

     4.    This act shall take effect immediately. 

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill establishes within the Department of State, the "New Jersey Military Advisory Board."  The board will consist of 11 members and will act as a liaison between the Executive branch, State and federal Legislative branches, and the United States Armed Forces. 

     It will be the duty of the board to remain informed and engaged in the events and activities dealing with the military installations within the State, and their tenants, if applicable.  The board will work with the Congress of the United States, base commanders, public and private entities, including, but not limited to, the Picatinny Enhancement Coalition, the Defense Enhancement Coalition, and the Chamber of Commerce in an effort to focus on any federal concerns and to allow the State to remain competitive and engaged in military matters.

     The board will annually issue a report that will include a summary of the work performed by the board during the prior year, a detailed discussion of the board's policy recommendations, and a listing of any relevant pending legislation that the board believes should be enacted by the Legislature.  Each report will be made available in a prominent location on the website of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

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