Scroll Top

PREVIEW – Senate Committees To Consider Renewable Energy, Sports Betting Bills Monday

Bob Smith Jeff Van Drew News & Releases Steve Sweeney

On Monday, May 19, Senate committees are scheduled to meet to consider a variety of measures to support renewable energy, and discuss legislation to allow sports betting in New Jersey.

At 1:00 PM in Committee Room 1 in the Statehouse Annex, the Senate Economic Growth Committee will hear a pair of bills, sponsored by Senator Bob Smith, D-Middlesex, to allow wind turbine and solar energy facilities to be located in industrial zones or on preserved farms. According to the bill sponsor, the measures, S-1299 and S-1538, are intended to ensure that the entire State has access to renewable energy generation, and not just areas along the shore which have taken advantage of off-shore turbines.

The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee will review measures designed to provide property tax exemptions for renewable energy and water conservation projects. S-241, sponsored by Senator John H. Adler, D-Cherry Hill, would exempt renewable energy systems from property tax calculations, as well as exempt the installation of these systems from municipal construction permit fees. S-710, sponsored by Senators Smith and Steve Sweeney, D-Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem, would allow for a property tax exemption for the portion of property value attributable to energy cost savings measures to conserve water or energy. The Budget Committee is scheduled to meet at 10:00 AM in Committee Room 4 in the Statehouse Annex.

The Senate Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee will hear bills, for discussion only, which would ask for voter approval to allow for sports betting in New Jersey. S-143, sponsored by Senators Raymond J. Lesniak, D-Union, and Jeff Van Drew, D-Cumberland and Cape May, would permit in-person sports betting at casinos. Senator Van Drew has also sponsored S-1488, which would allow for in-person sports betting at casinos and racetracks. The Committee will also review SR-12, a resolution sponsored by Senator Lesniak, which would urge the United States Congress to lift the ban on sports wagering. The Senate Wagering and Tourism Committee meeting is scheduled for 10:00 AM in Committee Room 7 of the Statehouse Annex.

And finally, the Budget Committee will also consider legislation, sponsored by Senate Budget Committee Chair Barbara Buono, D-Middlesex, to shore up the State’s unemployment insurance fund with $260 million in additional funding. Senator Buono noted that the stop-gap funding is necessary to avoid a major shortfall in the UI Trust fund beginning in the next fiscal year. The $260 million in additional funding is expected to come from an unexpected increase in revenues due to April tax collections performing better than original projections, according to the lawmaker.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE COMMITTEE AGENDAS FOR MONDAY’S SENATE COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Related Posts

Smith Renewable Energy Package Signed Into Law

PISCATAWAY – A package of bills sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which will promote renewable energy usage throughout the State of New Jersey was signed into law today by Governor Corzine at the Busch Cogeneration Facility at Rutgers University’s Busch campus.

“Today, the Governor has taken a strong step forward in promoting clean, sustainable energy and New Jersey’s burgeoning green economy,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset, the Chair of the Senate Environment Committee. “As we continue to work to put New Jersey on strong financial footings during this national economic crisis, we need to look to alternative energy production as a valuable part of that, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and creating hundreds of new green collar jobs in the Garden State. These new laws will lower utility bills, advance renewable energy production, and serve as incentives to business growth in the State.”

31 Mar 2009
Smith Renewable Energy Package Approved By Full Senate

TRENTON – A package of bills sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which would promote renewable energy throughout the State of New Jersey was approved by the Senate today.

“During this time of economic uncertainty, we need to push for home-grown, cost-effective and environmentally friendly energy alternatives,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset, the Chair of the Senate Environment Committee. “Promoting wind, solar, photovoltaic or tidal power in New Jersey will give customers a cheap, clean alternative to meet their energy needs and will reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and foreign oil. This bill package would make New Jersey one of the leaders in the green economy, spawning jobs as well as cost savings for energy consumers.”

23 Feb 2009
Smith Renewable Energy Package Approved In Committee

TRENTON – A package of bills sponsored by Senator Bob Smith which would promote renewable energy throughout the State of New Jersey was unanimously approved by the Senate Economic Growth Committee today.

“As fuel prices soar, and it’s becoming more and more expensive to keep our homes cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, we need to look to alternative energy to offset our needs,” said Senator Smith, D-Middlesex and Somerset, the Chair of the Senate Environment Committee. “Everyone in the State should be able to take advantage of renewable energy systems, not just the wealthy elite who can afford home installation. We need to clear obstacles to renewable energy generation facilities, and ensure that we make a Statewide push for cleaner, cheaper energy which moves us away from our dependency on foreign oil and older, environmentally-damaging technology.”

09 Jun 2008