Bob Smith

04 Aug: Smith – ‘We Must Protect The New Jersey Shore’

DOVER TOWNSHIP – Senate Environment Committee Chairman, Bob Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset, issued the following statement after the panel’s hearing on beach erosion and fisheries management at the Dover Township Municipal Building today:

“The New Jersey Shore is one of our State’s preeminent environmental resources, drawing in millions in tourism dollars each year to our communities, and serving as a point of pride for residents of the Garden State.

03 Aug: Senate Environment Committee To Meet On Beach Erosion

DOVER TOWNSHIP – On Friday, August 4th at 1:00 PM, the Senate Environment Committee will meet in the LMH Room of the Dover Township Municipal Building to hold a public hearing on beach erosion and fisheries management.

“The quality of our beaches and the lure of our recreational fishing are two of the premier gems in New Jersey’s tourism crown,” said Senator Bob Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset, the Chair of the Environment Committee. “The Jersey Shore is one of the Garden State’s major economic engines and a symbol of our State’s natural beauty. We need to go to the people who live there to find out how to provide strong stewardship and State support to keep our beaches and recreational fishing thriving.”

31 Jul: Smith To Co-Chair Joint Committee On Consolidation

TRENTON – Senator Bob Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset, released the following statement today following the announcement that he will serve as Co-Chairman of the Joint Legislative Committee on Government Consolidation and Shared Services during this year’s Special Session dedicated to solving New Jersey’s property tax crisis.

“New Jerseyans have had to endure over 30 years of oppressively high property taxes, and the Legislature needs to take a stand now, before it gets worse.

26 Jun: Buono/Smith Bill To Remove Statute Of Limitations On Environmental Crimes Through Senate

TRENTON – The statute of limitations for criminal offenses arising from violations of certain environmental laws and crimes causing widespread injury or damage would be eliminated under a bill sponsored by Senators Barbara Buono and Bob Smith and passed today by the Senate.

“The nature of environmental crimes and violations can lead them to have a widespread and long-term effect on both the community as a whole and individual people that can make it difficult to prosecute known offenders under the statute of limitations,” said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. “Given that there are cases where the health effects and environmental damage is not noticeable until years after the crime has occurred or where it can take years just to figure out who is responsible, prosecutors need to have sufficient time to investigate these crimes and hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions.”

26 Jun: Turner/Buono/Smith Bill To Require Local Notice For Hazardous Clean-Ups Receives Final Legislative Approval

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Shirley K. Turner, Barbara Buono and Bob Smith that would require that local governments be notified any time a hazardous site remediation is performed within the boundaries of the municipality was approved by both houses of the Legislature today, clearing the way for its enactment.

“It boggles the mind to think that that this type of communication doesn’t automatically occur,” said Senator Turner, D-Mercer. “But after it took six months for DEP to let Hamilton Township know that contaminated concrete had been used in construction at the American Metro office complex, it became clear that the Legislature had to require such notices. When it comes to environmental contamination, we can’t take any short cuts in addressing the problem and protecting residents from health dangers.”

22 Jun: Smith Bill To Appropriate $15 Million For Farmland Preservation In The Highlands Approved

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which would appropriate $15 million for farmland preservation in the Highlands region was unanimously approved by the Senate today.

“For the Highlands Water Protection Act to be successful, we need to make a substantial public investment into land preservation in the region,” said Senator Smith. “It’s not enough that we declare certain sensitive watershed lands as off-limits to development. We need to put our money where our mouths, and hearts, are, to truly protect this valuable water supply from contamination and pollution brought on by overdevelopment.”

12 Jun: Buono/Smith Bill To Remove Statute Of Limitations On Environmental Crimes Approved By Committee

TRENTON – The statute of limitations for criminal offenses arising from violations of certain environmental laws and crimes causing widespread injury or damage would be eliminated under a bill sponsored by Senator Barbara Buono and Bob Smith and passed today by the Senate Environment Committee.

“The nature of environmental crimes and violations can make it difficult to prosecute offenders under the statute of limitations,” said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. “The health effects and environmental damage may not be noticeable until years after the crime has occurred and it can take as long to figure out who is responsible. Prosecutors need to have sufficient time to investigate these crimes and hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions.”

01 Jun: Smith Bill Seeking Respect For Religious Rights Of Those In Turkey Advances

TRENTON – A Senate joint resolution sponsored by Senator Bob Smith, to urge the government of Turkey to stop racial and religious discrimination by recognizing the religious authority of the Eastern Orthodox Church, was approved by the Assembly State Government Committee today.

Senator Smith noted that the Ecumenical Patriarchate is the spiritual leader for approximately 250 million Orthodox Christians worldwide, and is considered the highest authority of the Church.

18 May: Smith Bill To Enhance Plastic Recycling In New Jersey Approved

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which would require a higher recycling standard for plastic packaging sold in New Jersey to promote recycling, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decrease our dependence on foreign oil was approved today by the Senate by a vote of 25-10.

“New Jersey’s natural resources are absolutely precious, and we must do everything in our power to promote conservation and reuse,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset, the Chairman of the Senate Environment Committee. “By encouraging greater use of recycled plastics, we will save on landfill space, conserve petroleum used in the production of plastics, and cut down on the emissions associated with producing virgin plastics, or those that contain no recycled content. The measure is far reaching and will protect the environmental health of New Jersey in so many ways.”

08 May: Smith: Study Climate Change’s Impact On New Jersey

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Bob Smith to study the impact of global warming on New Jersey’s water supply, tourism industry and agricultural products was approved today by the Senate Environment Committee and sent to the full Senate for a floor vote.

“New Jersey has to adjust to the climate change over the years because it will have an impact on our natural resources, our recreational activities and our need for energy sources,” said Senator Smith, the Chairman of the Senate environment panel.