SENATE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
SENATE, No. 4170
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: MARCH 17, 2025
The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee reports
favorably Senate Bill No. 4170.
As reported, this bill directs the State Capitol Joint Management
Commission to designate the State House Complex Welcome Center
as the “Governor Richard J. Codey Welcome Center” in honor of the
distinguished services performed by Governor Codey during his career
in public service.
Governor Codey became New Jersey’s longest serving legislator
after being elected to the General Assembly in November of 1973 at
just 27 years of age. After serving for nearly a decade in the General
Assembly, Governor Codey served in the Senate from 1982 to 2024
and held the highly esteemed position of Senate President from 2002
to 2010. During his tenure as Senate President, Governor Codey
served as Acting Governor on multiple occasions and as New Jersey’s
53rd governor for 14 months after the resignation of Governor James
E. McGreevey in 2004, before returning to the Senate.
Throughout his time as Acting Governor and in the Legislature,
Governor Codey was a strong advocate of strengthening public health
in many aspects. Governor Codey’s health system improvement
efforts include increasing funding for mental health care, championing
stem cell research, establishing the State’s charity care program,
leading a ban on indoor smoking in all State buildings, and
establishing a prescription drug assistance program for seniors.
Governor Codey made strides in protecting the health of the youth of
New Jersey by increasing the age to legally purchase tobacco to 21 and
initiating drug and steroid testing for high school athletes in New
Jersey. Governor Codey fought to make communities safer by
pushing for higher gun control standards, establishing GPS tracking
for sex offenders, and authoring laws aimed at cracking down on
internet predators.
Outside of Governor Codey’s public service, he has been an active
and beloved member of his community, coaching youth basketball
teams, mentoring first-generation college students, and working as a
funeral director. After a long career faithfully serving the residents of
this State, Governor Codey retired from public service in January of
2024.
The State Capitol Joint Management Commission will erect
appropriate signs bearing the new welcome center designation. The 2
commission is authorized to accept public and private gifts, donations,
and grants for the purpose of funding the costs associated with
producing, purchasing, and erecting the signs.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This bill is not certified as requiring a fiscal note.