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Whelan/Madden Bill Eliminating Inactive Boards And Commissions Receives Final Legislative Approval

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senators Jim Whelan (D-Atlantic) and Fred Madden (D-Gloucester/Camden) to eliminate various inactive state boards, commissions, committees, councils, and task forces today received final legislative approval by the state Senate, and now heads to the desk of Governor Chris Christie.

The bill (S-1997) carries out a recommendation of the Red Tape Review Group, a panel made up of legislators and administration officials tasked with reviewing state rules and regulations in an effort to streamline government for the benefit of taxpayers and businesses.

“The boards, commissions, committees, councils and task forces that we are eliminating have fulfilled their obligations and many have not convened in years – it only makes sense to get rid of them,” said Senator Whelan. “And while we recognize that this is a relatively small step, it demonstrates our continuous efforts to make government work more efficiently.”

“This measure allows us to eliminate dozens of boards and commissions that no longer are useful, but whose existence may confuse businesses or residents seeking assistance from state government on any number of issues,” said Senator Madden. “Clearing out unneeded entities can only make navigating government easier for everyone.”

The legislation passed the Senate by a vote of 37-0; the Assembly approved the bill in June by a 78-0 vote.

It would eliminate the following:

Advisory Council of the State Library; Agent Orange Commission; Camden Financial Review Board; Christopher Columbus Quincentennial Observance Commission; Commission on Early Childhood Education; Commission to Study Sex Discrimination in the Statutes; Committee to Review the State Commission of Investigation; Corporation Business Tax Study Commission; Crime Prevention Advisory Committee; Delaware and Raritan Canal Transportation Safety Study Commission; Drug Utilization Review Council; Environment Advisory Task Force; Ergonomics in Education Study Commission; Fisheries Information and Development Center Coordinating Board; Governor’s Air and Space Medal Nominating Committee; Hospital Care Payment Commission; Jewish Heritage Trail Study Commission; Managed Care Task Force; New Jersey Citizens’ Clean Elections Commission; New Jersey Commemorative Coin Design Commission; New Jersey Health Data Commission; New Jersey Obesity Prevention Task Force; New Jersey Railroad and Transportation Museum Commission; New Jersey Uniform Securities Law Study Commission; Parents’ Education Program Advisory Committee; Police Paperwork Reduction Task Force; Pollution Prevention Advisory Board; Prepaid Higher Education Expense Board and associated program in its entirety; Property Tax Convention Task Force; Recreational Sports and Leisure Activities Liability Study Commission; Regional Intergovernmental Transportation Coordinating Study Commission; Right to Know Advisory Council, including its duties and powers; School Construction Review Commission; State Board of Public Movers and Warehousemen; State Commission on Drunk Driving; State Revenue Forecasting Advisory Commission; State Review Board on Driver Education; Task Force on New Jersey History; Task Force on Workplace Violence; Task Force to Study Attendance in Public Schools; The Trustees of the New Jersey School of the Arts; and World Language Instruction Committee.