Chris Christie Signs 5th Bill Into Law This Month

Gov. Chris Christie has signed his fifth bill into law this month, this one dealing with the investment of pension and annuity funds.

Christie announced Tuesday that he signed S-1923, sponsored by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, which prohibits investment of state pension and annuity funds by the state in companies that boycott goods, products or businesses of Israel.

“Standing with Israel, for peace and democracy, requires more than just pledging military defense and support,” Christie said. “It is in all of our best interests to invest in and partner with Israel, while opposing any attempt to wipe out Israel, economically or otherwise."

Christie said he's proud to take this action and "help set an example for other states and nations throughout the world to join New Jersey by enacting similar laws."

New Jersey joins the federal government, South Carolina, Illinois and New York in taking action against the “Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions” (BDS) movement, an attempt to weaken and overtake Israel by creating economic calamity.

Christie joined 15 other governors and the mayor of Washington D.C. on Monday in signing the American Jewish Committee’s “Governors Against BDS” pledge, reaffirming “support for Israel as a vital U.S. ally, important economic partner and champion of freedom.”

Other bill signed this month by Christie include:

• S-557/A-1613 (O’Toole, Ruiz/Rumana, Lagana, Russo, Gibling, Danielsen, Mukherji, Sumter, McKnight) – "Madison Holleran Suicide Prevention Act"; requires institutions of higher education to have individuals who focus on reducing student suicides and attempted suicides available 24 hours a day
• S-855/A-2088 (Stack, Beach/Mukherji, Tucker, Zwicker, Lampitt, McKnight, Downey) – Requires Commissioner of DCA to promulgate rules and regulations providing for veterans’ affordable housing assistance preference
• S-1164/A-1835 (Madden/Conaway, Pinkin, Mukherji, Vainieri Huttle) – Exempts intraoperative monitoring services rendered during certain neurosurgical, neurological, and neuro-radiological surgical procedures from physician self-referral restrictions
• S-1992/A-2518 (Beach, Allen/DeAngelo, Tucker, Andrzejczak, Conaway, Land) – Facilitates coordination of land use planning between civilian and military interests to preserve viability of federal military installations within State