New Jersey Senate Bill S2374

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/24/22
• Refer: 3/24/22

Caption

Clarifies law concerning circumstances in which members of Pinelands Commission may vote.

Impact

The bill is a response to advice from the State Ethics Commission regarding ethics and recusal, which has reportedly limited the ability of members, particularly those associated with the agricultural industry, to participate fully in discussions and decisions pertinent to agriculture in the Pinelands region. By modifying the definition of personal interest, the bill seeks to ensure that members representing vital economic activities, like agriculture, can engage more fully in commission processes without the fear of inappropriate recusal.

Summary

Senate Bill S2374 addresses the voting circumstances of members of the Pinelands Commission by clarifying the conditions under which a member must recuse themselves from participating in commission matters. The bill specifically stipulates that a member shall not be considered to have a personal interest in a matter if their participation does not confer a direct monetary benefit or loss to them or their immediate family, compared to other members of their profession or group. This provision aims to prevent unnecessary recusal that could hinder effective representation on the commission.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding S2374 involves the narrow interpretation of ethics advice prior to the bill’s introduction. Critics have raised concerns about how the original language led to significant barriers for agricultural representation in the Pinelands Commission's deliberations. Proponents of the bill argue that the previous restrictions were overly restrictive and undermined the commission's mandate to include diverse representations for the region's economic activities, particularly agriculture. Therefore, S2374 aims to rectify this oversight and enhance participation from those with direct interests in the outcomes of the Commission's actions.