ASSEMBLY STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 597

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JUNE 10, 1996

      The Assembly State Government Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 597.

      This bill authorizes members of the Legislature or employees on their behalf to assist their constituents by: (1) making certain inquiries on their behalf in matters pending before State agencies; (2) assisting the constituent in bringing the merits of the constituent's position to the attention of a State agency; or (3) making a recommendation on a matter or indicating support for a constituent's position to a State agency provided no fee, reward, employment, offer of employment, or other thing of value is promised to or given to the member or employee for the service and the member or employee does not endeavor to use his official position to improperly influence any State agency determination. This bill would not authorize contact with State agencies by members or employees of the Legislature which is otherwise prohibited by criminal law, the New Jersey Conflicts of Interest Law or the Code of Ethics. Nothing in the bill shall authorize contact with an administrative law judge during the course of a contested matter.

      This legislation embodies recommendations unanimously adopted by the Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards.