ASSEMBLY ENVIRONMENT, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 2791

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MARCH 20, 1997

      The Assembly Environment, Science and Technology Committee favorably reports Assembly Bill No. 2791.

      The bill would prohibit the board of freeholders of a county organized under the "Optional County Charter Law," P.L.1972, c.154 (C.40:41A-1 et seq.), from purging the members of a county utilities authority through its power to "reorganize" an authority pursuant to section 30 of P.L.1972, c.154 (C.40:41A-30). The "municipal and county utilities authorities law," P.L.1957, c.183 (C.40:14B-1 et seq.), contains procedures for dissolving an authority or removing authority members for cause, such as inefficiency, neglect of duty or misconduct in office.

      The bill would make null and void any action to reorganize or to alter or abolish a county utilities authority organized under the "municipal and county utilities authorities law," P.L.1957, c.183 (C.40:14B-1 et seq.), adopted or approved pursuant to section 30 of P.L.1972, c.154 (C.40:41A-30), on or after March 3, 1997.