SENATE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

SENATE, No. 547

 

with committee amendments

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED: MAY 2, 1996

 

 

      The Senate Community Affairs Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 547 with committee amendments.

      This bill, as amended by the committee, would prohibit a municipality which has a population greater than 260,000, is located in a county of the first class, and has a paid or part paid fire department and force from enforcing residency requirements, as a condition of initial or continued employment, promotion, or for any other purpose, against individuals employed as linemen or fire dispatchers. This bill would make clear the prohibition on residency requirements for members of a paid or part paid fire department and force imposed by section 1 of P.L.1972, c.3 (C.40A:14-9.1) and affirm that linemen and fire dispatchers are to be considered members of the paid or part paid fire department and force.

      The committee amended the bill to limit its applicability to municipalities which have a population greater than 260,000 and are located in a county of the first class.