In Rare Move, NJ Legislature Interrupts Summer Vacation to "Work"

Committee Meetings, Voting Sessions Set For August 8, 11

While various narratives both home and abroad captivate the masses and interested New Jerseyans are still trying to plow through the State's Fiscal Year 2023 Budget, NJ lawmakers have scheduled some (historically rare) August legislative activity.

On Monday August 8, the NJ Senate Judiciary Committee plans to meet at 11am. The New Jersey Globe reported that the agenda will focus on addressing appointments made by the governor. Specifically noted by the Globe are interviews and confirmation votes for acting Attorney General Matt Platkin along with several of Governor Murphy's judicial nominees. Meanwhile, there has been no indication that the committee will consider any nominees to fill the three associate justice vacancies of the seven member New Jersey Supreme Court. As late as 4pm on Friday August 5, the NJ legislature webpage hadn't published details regarding plans for the meeting.

The NJ Senate will hold a voting session on Monday August 8 at 1pm. The only bill listed for consideration, S511 / A1474 'Provides certain protections and rights for temporary laborers.' was passed by the full Senate on June 29, however, the Gothamist reported that the need for another vote arose after a "clerical error" led to the upper house approving a version of the bill which didn't match the one passed the same day by the Assembly.

Later in the week a joint meeting of the Senate Environment and Energy and Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committees is scheduled for 10am on Thursday August 11 in Toms River. Legislators will "hear testimony from invited guests and the public on the issues of climate change adaptation and coastal resiliency, and what steps the State can take to address these issues." Also planned is a discussion of S416 / A1733 'Prohibits investment by State of pension and annuity funds in, and requires divestment from, 200 largest publicly traded fossil fuel companies.'

Research indicates that this bill was first introduced in December 2017 by Assemblyman McKeon (D-West Orange, Legislative District 27) during the lame duck period at the end of Governor Chris Christie's second term, roughly one month prior to Governor Murphy taking office. Notably, the current Assembly version of the bill (A1733) is assigned to another committee - Assembly State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation. Presumably a bill of this magnitude will be considered by more than one committee within one or both houses of the legislature, however the agendas for the August 8 joint meeting list it as 'Discussion Only.'

Proponents of using aggressive mitigation strategies to address climate change often cite the 'race against the clock' as a reason for governments and institutions to take swift action. Considering the current geopolitical climate, one wonders what clock is ticking so loudly that it requires NJ lawmakers to advance the legislative process on this bill during the dog days of summer. After the hastily passed sanctions with respect to Russian and Belarusian entities and an executive order issued by Governor Murphy directing executive branch agencies “to identify actions that may be taken to deliver swift and severe consequences to Russia, and to significantly impair Russia’s ability to use its economy and financial system” earlier this year maybe the cat is already out of the bag.