SENATE, No. 2066

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED MAY 15, 1997

By Senator CIESLA

An Act concerning the terms of State Beach Erosion Commission members and amending P.L.1949, c.14.

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. Section 2 of P.L.1949, c.14 (C.52:9J-2) is amended to read as follows:

    2. The name of the said commission shall be the State Beach Erosion Commission, and the said commission shall be composed of four members of the Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate, four members of the General Assembly to be appointed by the Speaker thereof, and four members, at large, to be appointed by the Governor.

    The terms of the members appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the General Assembly shall continue from the date of their respective appointments until the [second Tuesday in January following] termination of the second annual session of the legislative term in which the appointment was made. The term of each commissioner appointed by the Governor shall be four years. Vacancies occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filled in the same manner as though occurring by expiration of term but for the unexpired terms only. The members of the commission shall serve without remuneration but shall be reimbursed for all expenses incurred in connection with the work of the commission.

(cf: P.L.1949, c. 14, s. 2)

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    This bill would amend the statute that established the State Beach Erosion Commission to provide for two-year terms for legislative members. Currently, the statute provides for one-year terms and annual appointments of legislative members, which makes it difficult and inconvenient for the commission to meet early in the calendar year if appointments have not been made. Also, annual terms requires the commission to reorganize and select a chairperson from among its members annually, which detracts from the continuity and mission of the commission. The bill would provide that the terms of commission members would run concurrently with the two-year legislative term, thus providing the commission with greater continuity.

Provides for two-year terms for legislative members of State Beach Erosion Commission.