ASSEMBLY SENIOR ISSUES, TOURISM AND GAMING COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 2133

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: OCTOBER 17, 1996

      The Assembly Senior Issues, Tourism and Gaming Committee reports favorably Assembly, No. 2133.

      This bill would authorize the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to utilize volunteers to assist State Park Rangers and other department personnel in staffing, operating, patrolling, and monitoring State parks and forests and associated structures and facilities; and to assist with maintenance and improvement activities and projects at State parks and forests. Under the bill, a park volunteer shall be neither vested with law enforcement authority, deemed to be a law enforcement officer, nor authorized to carry a firearm, but may receive such training in public safety, resource protection, environmental education and interpretation, recreation supervision, and other subject matter areas pertinent to the volunteer's duties and responsibilities deemed appropriate by the Commissioner of Environmental Protection. Such a park volunteer would be deemed to be a State employee for purposes of the "New Jersey Tort Claims Act," N.J.S.59:1-1 et seq.