SENATE STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 681

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: OCTOBER 7, 1996

      The Senate State Government Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate, No. 681.

            The Senate State Government Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 681.This bill provides that television, radio or newspaper reporters and their related support staff, drivers of newspaper delivery trucks, on-air broadcast personnel and the technical and support staff of FCC licensed stations, and public utility employees deemed essential shall be exempt from any ban on non-essential travel in the performance of their work in this State during a state of emergency declared by the Governor.

       The bill also provides that each public utility shall determine which of its employees are essential for providing safe, adequate and proper service whenever any such ban is imposed.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

      The committee amended the bill to include on-air broadcast personnel and the technical and support staff of FCC licensed stations, and public utility employees deemed essential as among those who would be exempt from any ban on non-essential travel during a state of emergency declared by the Governor.

      The bill was also amended to provide that each public utility shall determine which of its employees are essential for providing safe, adequate and proper service whenever any such ban is imposed.