SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION No. 18
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 22, 1996
By Senators LYNCH, LITTELL, Casey, Kenny, Lipman and LaRossa
A Joint Resolution to create a Federal Block Grant Advisory Commission.
Whereas, The negotiations between President Clinton and Congress on a plan that would balance the federal budget in seven years and restructure many programs such as Medicaid, Medicare and welfare, may result in the transformation of existing categorical federal programs into block grants for the states; and
Whereas, For example, the federal Medicaid program may be transformed into a block grant called Medigrant, and the federal Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program may be transformed into a block grant called Temporary Assistance to Needy Families; and
Whereas, While block grant programs do reduce the fragmentation and duplication of the multitude of categorical programs on the federal level, such programs generally also transfer considerable authority to the states to decide which specific services to provide within the broad goals of the grant programs, and offer state governments the chance to structure programs so that they meet the specific needs of their residents; and
Whereas, Block grants may be used to achieve a variety of goals, including administrative cost savings, decentralized decision making, enhanced coordination, flexibility for innovation and targeted funding; and
Whereas, New Jersey must begin to assess the impact block grants will have on the State government and the residents of the State, the changes that will be needed to reformat current programs to achieve national as well as State objectives, the transition schedule to block grant funding, the resources needed to offset federal funding reductions in the coming years, and the monitoring and auditing that will be required to ensure accountability to the federal government for the expenditure of block grant funds; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. There is hereby established a commission to be known as the Federal Block Grant Advisory Commission.
b. The commission shall consist of thirteen members to be appointed as follows: two members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, no more than one of whom shall be a member of the same political party; two members of the General Assembly appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, no more than one of whom shall be a member of the same political party; one member who is a full-time employee of the Executive Branch to be appointed by the Governor; the Commissioner of the Department of Human Services, ex officio, or a designated representative; the President of the New Jersey League of Municipalities, or a designated representative; the President of the New Jersey Association of Counties, or a designated representative; two members who are members of the Congressional delegation from this State, appointed by the Governor; and three members of the general public appointed by the Governor, no more than two of whom shall be members of the same political party.
The members of the commission shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for necessary and reasonable expenses actually incurred in the performance of their duties, within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the commission for this purpose.
Vacancies in the membership of the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments.
c. The commission shall organize within 30 days after the appointment of the majority of its authorized membership and shall select a chairperson and vice-chairperson from among the members. The chairperson shall appoint an executive secretary who need not be a member of the commission.
The commission may meet and hold hearings at such places as it shall designate during the sessions and recesses of the Legislature.
The commission shall be entitled to call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of the employees of any State, county, or municipal department, board, bureau, commission or agency, as it may require and as may be available to it for its purposes.
The commission shall further be entitled to use the services of the employees and resources of the Office of Legislative Services for administrative, stenographic or clerical assistance. It may incur traveling and other miscellaneous expenses as it may deem necessary to perform its duties, within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the commission for this purpose.
2. a. The commission shall monitor the creation of federal block grant programs; analyze the impact that such programs will have on the State of New Jersey; offer procedures for the smooth transition from categorical federal aid to block grants; provide guidelines for the restructuring of programs to achieve maximum State flexibility within the goals of the grant programs; provide guidance to the Legislature and Governor in the management, implementation and assessment of block grants programs; and recommend legislation in this area for enactment that it deems appropriate or necessary.
b. The commision shall report to the Legislature and the Governor as frequently as it deems necessary, but at least semi-annually concerning its deliberations and recommendations. The commission shall include in its reports recommendations for legislation it deems appropriate or necessary.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately and expire on December 31, 1997.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution creates the Federal Block Grant Advisory Commission. This thirteen member commission is charged with the duty to monitor the creation of block grant programs by the federal government and to advise, through periodic reports, the Legislature and the Governor on the State's transition to block grant programs.
The commission will expire on December 31, 1997.
Creates Federal Block Grant Advisory Commission.