ASSEMBLY LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1057

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: AUGUST 23, 1996

      The Assembly Local Government Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No.1057.

      Assembly Bill No.1057 would establish a special reemployment program for civilian federal firefighters who were laid off as a result of the federal government's decision to close several U.S. military installations in New Jersey.

      The program established under this bill is patterned on the reemployment program the Department of Personnel currently coordinates for laid-off law enforcement officers pursuant to P.L.1991, c.299 (C.40A:14-180).

      Under the provisions of the bill, federally trained civilian federal firefighters who have lost their jobs due to the closure of a U.S. military installation in New Jersey would be eligible for preferential appointment and reemployment opportunities by municipalities. The Department of Personnel is to prepare and circulate among potential municipal employers a list of these laid-off civilian federal firefighters. To ensure that the list of eligible firefighters is as comprehensive as possible, the department is to consult with the organizations representing the civilian federal firefighters.

      This priority hiring program is designed to benefit both local governmental units seeking to employ trained and experienced firefighters, and unemployed, qualified firefighters who are seeking employment.

      Assembly Bill No.1057 is identical to Senate Bill No.132, also reported by the Assembly Local Government Committee on August 23, 1966.

      Assembly Bill No.1057 was pre-filed for introduction in the 1996-1997 legislative session pending technical review. As reported by the committee, the bill contains the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.