Chris Christie Signs 22 Bills Into Law, Including New Driver Rule, Vetoes 7 Others

TRENTON, N.J. — Gov. Chris Christie signed 22 bills into law Monday, including one that requires motorists approaching sanitation vehicles to move over or slow down , while vetoing seven others. Christie also vetoed an attempt to force President Trump to release his tax returns, calling the proposed legislation a "transparent political stunt masquerading as a bill" and "politics at its worst."

Read more: Chris Christie Vetoes Bill That Would Force President Trump To Release Tax Returns

Christie signed “Michael Massey’s Law,” sponsored by Sen. Jennifer Beck, a Republican from Monmouth, which is named for a 39-year-old Freehold man who was killed when he was hit by a car while loading a sanitation vehicle as part of his public works duties in Ocean Township.

“Michael Massey’s Law” (S-518/A-4452) expands the “Move Over Law” to include sanitation vehicles. The bill would require motorists approaching sanitation vehicles, if possible, to reduce speed to less than the posted speed limit; be prepared to stop; and make a lawful lane change to at least one lane away from the sanitation vehicle. Violators would face a maximum $500 fine.

“Michael Massey’s tragic death was preventable. He was a loving husband and a father of two young children who lost his life because of a driver who chose to speed past a sanitation vehicle,” Beck said in a statement.

“Because of the Move Over Law, we know to slow down and change lanes when we see a police car or ambulance. Michael Massey’s Law cannot alter the great loss his family has experienced, but I am hopeful that it will be just as successful at saving lives.”

Christie also signed into law today several bills aimed to empower New Jersey’s military members and veterans, including a bipartisan initiative to create the “Veterans Diversion Program.”

One of those, S-307/A-4362 (Van Drew, Allen/Andrzejczak, Mazzeo, Land, Tucker, Benson, Bramnick), requires the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to collaborate with its federal counterpart and develop a statewide program providing appropriate case management and mental health services to eligible military service members who have committed nonviolent offenses.

The department will publicize a directory of existing federal and state case management and mental health program locations, which will serve as points of entry to facilitate support and services.

“It is impossible to imagine the courage, sacrifices and experiences of the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect the American people and our freedom," Christie said.

Christie also took action on the following bills:

BILL SIGNINGS:

• S-158/A-3631 (Madden, Cruz-Perez/Quijano, Schaer, Vainieri Huttle, Zwicker, Mukherji, Danielsen) - Permits holding companies of eligible New Jersey emerging technology companies to receive investments under "New Jersey Angel Investor Tax Credit Act"
• S-227/A-963 (Holzapfel, Allen/Wolfe, McGuckin, Dancer) - Requires DOT, NJTA, and SJTA to use only native vegetation for landscaping, land management, reforestation, or habitat restoration
• S-518/A-4452 (Beck/Downey, Houghtaling, Benson, Mukherji, Vainieri Huttle) - Requires sanitation vehicles display flashing lights in certain circumstances and imposes conditions on drivers approaching sanitation vehicles displaying flashing lights; designated as "Michael Massey’s Law"
• S-724/A-3604 (Cruz-Perez, Allen/Eustace, Wolfe, Mukherji) - Establishes "Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management Program"
• S-792/A-1271 (Sarlo/ Caride, Schaer, Pintor Marin) - Permits newly created regional school districts or enlarging regional school districts to determine apportionment methodology for their boards of education on basis other than population
• S-913/A-3404 (Codey, Vitale/Burzichelli, Coughlin, Schaer, Singleton) - Permits hospitals to establish system for making performance-based incentive payments to physicians
• S-1059/A-4462 (Diegnan/Lagana, Vainieri Huttle, Mukherji) - Permits amusement games license to be issued to holder of alcoholic beverage special concessionaire permit at certain airports; allows licensees to offer electronic amusements under certain circumstances
• S-1398/A-1447 (Weinberg, Gill/Lampitt, Spencer, Vainieri Huttle, McKeon, Mukherji, Holley, Caride, Downey) - Expands infertility coverage under certain health insurance plans
• S-1404/A-4423 (Weinberg/Johnson, Benson, Mukherji, Handlin) - Requires governmental affairs agents to disclose on notice of representation form compensation amount received from State or local government entities; requires notice to be posted on Internet site of Election Law Enforcement Commission
• S-1475/A-3304 (Ruiz, Vitale/Vainieri Huttle, Mukherji, Holley, Jimenez) - Establishes three-year Medicaid home visitation demonstration project
• S-1634/A-3991 (Turner, Stack/Muoio, Wimberly, Johnson, Pintor Marin, Mukherji) - Requires housing authority to advertise when applications are being accepted for housing assistance waiting lists online
• S-1761/A-4473 (Rice, Cunningham, Pou/Johnson, Wimberly, Pintor Marin) - Directs Community College Consortium for Workforce and Economic Development to promote basic skills training through organizations dedicated to the economic empowerment of specific segments of society, such as the African American Chamber of Commerce
• S-1825/A-3432 (Sarlo, Cruz-Perez, Gordon/Greenwald, Lampitt, Benson, Caride, Chiaravalloti) - Establishes task force to study and make recommendations concerning mobility and support services needs of NJ adults with autism spectrum disorder
• S-1856/A-3846 (Pou, Allen/Phoebus, Tucker, Space) - Provides for retained eligibility for members of NJ National Guard or reserve component of US Armed Forces called to active federal military service who met maximum age requirement at closing date of civil service examination
• S-2286/A-3083 (Weinberg, Gordon/Vainieri Huttle, Eustace, Johnson) - Establishes Mike Adler Aphasia Task Force to assess needs of persons with aphasia, and their families, and ensure adequate provision of support services and information thereto
• S-2414/A-4056 (Scutari/Jimenez, Eustace, Giblin, McKnight) - Requires "Massage and Bodywork Therapist Licensing Act" to require certain class study and examination requirements
• S-2856/A-4402 (Beach, Madden/Greenwald, Andrzejczak, Johnson, Rible, Jones, Land, Houghtaling, Benson) - Requires DMVA to notify county veterans' affairs office of death of certain military service members; requires office to have Gold Star liaisons
• S-2857/A-4403 (Beach, Madden/Greenwald, Rible, Land, Johnson, Mazzeo, Andrzejczak, Houghtaling, Benson) - Requires Adjutant General to create informational webpage for Gold Star families
• S-2868/A-4501 (Pou, Sarlo/Sumter, Wimberly) - Increases value of Economic Redevelopment and Growth Grant program residential tax credits to $823 million; restricts $105 million of tax credits to qualified residential projects and mixed use parking projects
• S-3015/A-4623 (Rice, Ruiz/Sumter, Oliver, Schaer, Pintor Marin) - Requires study of program allowing community service in lieu of paying motor vehicle surcharges
• SJR-49/AJR-106 (Ruiz, Oroho/Phoebus, Pintor Marin, Space, McKnight, Schepisi) - Designates third week in September of each year as Go Gold for Kids with Cancer Awareness Week"
• SJR-75/AJR- 122 (Rice, Codey/Oliver, Giblin, Chiaravalloti, Sumter, Quijano, McKnight) - Establishes "Disparity in State Procurement Study Commission"

BILLS VETOED:

• S-596/A-3422 (Cunningham, Greenstein, Sweeney/Benson, Mukherji, Muoio, Holley, Sumter, Downey, Lampitt, Oliver, Danielsen, Wimberly) - CONDITIONAL - Establishes compensation program for law enforcement officers and certain other employees injured while performing official duties
• S-690/A-2921 (Gordon, Beach, Eustace, Houghtaling, Pinkin, Mazzeo) - CONDITIONAL - Increases flexibility, clarity, and available tools of optional municipal consolidation process
• SCS for S-895/ACS for A-2182 (Lesniak, Beck, Cunningham/Sumter, Holley, Oliver, Jones, Wimberly) - CONDITIONAL - "Earn Your Way Out Act"; requires DOC to develop inmate reentry plan; establishes administrative parole release for certain inmates; requires study and report by DOC on fiscal impact
• S-956/A-2202 (Gordon, Bateman/Eustace, Zwicker, O'Scanlon, Downey, Wisniewski, Pinkin) - CONDITIONAL - Authorizes special emergency appropriations for the payment of certain expenses incurred by municipalities to implement a municipal consolidation
• S-2844/A-4425 (Vitale, Codey/Vainieri Huttle, Muoio, Eustace, Space, Benson) - CONDITIONAL - Eliminates certificate of need requirement for inpatient hospital beds for treatment of psychiatric and substance use disorder dual diagnosis
• S-3041/ACS for A-2338 (Lesniak/Benson, Vainieri Huttle, Eustace, Gusciora, Mukherji, Jimenez) - CONDITIONAL - Revises "Pet Purchase Protection Act" to establish new requirements for pet dealers and pet shops
• S-3048/A-4520 (Weinberg, Turner, Greenstein/McKeon, Singleton, Moriarty, Quijano, Johnson, Benson) - CONDITIONAL - Requires candidates for President and Vice-President of United States to disclose federal income tax returns to appear on ballot; prohibits Electoral College electors from voting for candidates who fail to file income tax returns

Patch file photo