Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman NANCY J. PINKIN
District 18 (Middlesex)
Assemblywoman YVONNE LOPEZ
District 19 (Middlesex)
Assemblyman JOHN F. MCKEON
District 27 (Essex and Morris)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman Vainieri Huttle
SYNOPSIS
Urges Governor to make appointments to "Advisory Council on Solid Waste Management."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution urging the Governor to make appointments to the "Advisory Council on Solid Waste Management."
Whereas, The "Solid Waste Management Act," P.L.1970, c.39 (C.13:1E-1 et seq.), became law in 1970 and established a 14-member council known as the "Advisory Council on Solid Waste Management;" and
Whereas, Among the statutory duties of the council are making recommendations to the Commissioner of Environmental Protection on ways to improve solid waste management in the State, studying regulations related to the disposal of medical waste and making recommendations for improving such regulations, and researching new methods for solid waste management, including recycling; and
Whereas, The council is authorized to possess ten public members: four representing the solid waste collection, recycling, and solid waste disposal industries, two representing the health care industry, and four representing the general public; and
Whereas, The council is intended to serve as a bridge between regulators and private citizens with practical experience, leading to more effective and efficient regulations; and
Whereas, The council is authorized to hold public hearings, giving citizens of the State a platform to suggest improvements related to local solid waste management or bring attention to a local problem that may otherwise go unnoticed; and
Whereas, In particular, the council is needed to review and suggest changes to the State Recycling Plan, as new markets are currently necessary to handle recyclable materials; and
Whereas, Solid waste management is one of the most basic and effective ways for State and local governments to protect the health of their citizens and the environment, and the State should continue to prioritize solid waste management by improving existing regulations and planning ahead to meet future challenges; and
Whereas, The council has not been active during the last decade and appointments of public members have not been made as members' terms have expired; and
Whereas, The council should be reactivated and the members appointed so that the council can carry out its statutory duties; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House respectfully requests that the Governor reactivate the "Advisory Council on Solid Waste Management" by appointing public members to the council and designating a chair and vice-chair, in order to improve solid waste management in the State.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Governor, the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, and the Commissioner of Health.
STATEMENT
This Assembly Resolution urges the Governor to reactivate the "Advisory Council on Solid Waste Management" by appointing public members and designating a chair and vice chair.
The council was established by the "Solid Waste Management Act," P.L.1970, c.39 (C.13:1E-1 et seq.), in order to serve as a bridge between regulators, citizens involved in the solid waste management and health care industries, and the general public. The council is intended to review and make recommendations to improve solid waste management policy in the State. However, the council has not been active in recent years and the membership terms of its public members have expired.