NJ May 'Feel' Much Different If Gov. Murphy Signs These 11 Bills

Eleven bills await New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy's signature that could bring a lot of changes to your lifestyle, your child's safety and your wallet.

And when we say it could change your lifestyle, and how you feel – yes, we're talking about the legalization of marijuana.

Indeed, the pot legalization bill, finally and recently introduced, heads up a long list of bills that Murphy has made a priority, from providing more security in schools to taxing the plastic and paper bags you use at the supermarket.

Many of the bills have been approved by the state Legislation. Pot legalization hasn't yet, even though lawmakers are making a big pitch for it.

Here's what Murphy could sign:

Plastic and paper bag tax

Murphy is expected to take action on bills A3267 and S2600 that would impose a statewide fee on the use of plastic and paper carryout bags.

If signed by Murphy, the new law, which would take effect on Oct. 1, 2018, would require each operator of a store to impose a 5-cent fee on a customer for each single-use carryout bag that is provided to the customer.

The bill has been controversial and passed both houses along party lines. Republican Assemblywoman BettyLou DeCroce said the tax passed by the Democrat-led state legislature is another sign that Democrats are "more interested in pandering to far-left special interests than making New Jersey more affordable for working people."

“People still need bags to bring home their groceries,” said DeCroce. “It will not reduce the use of plastic bags and its impact on the environment will be marginal. It will succeed only in taking millions of dollars from consumers."

While the plastic bag tax purports to raise money for environmental awareness, the assemblywoman predicted that most of the tax money will be eaten up by state bureaucracy.

"At the end of the day all this tax will do is take millions of dollars out of the economy and inconvenience consumers and store owners, while failing to meet any meaningful environmental goals," said DeCroce.

Marijuana legalization and medical marijuana expansion

Senate Judiciary Chairman Nicholas Scutari and Senate President Steve Sweeney have introduced two bills that collectively would legalize the recreational use of marijuana in New Jersey and vastly expand access to medical marijuana.

“These two pieces of legislation we introduced represent a concerted effort to put all the options on the table in an efficient, comprehensive manner,” said Scutari, D-Middlesex, Somerset and Union. “The legislation to legalize marijuana for adult recreational use would eliminate the draconian laws and penalties currently in place and improve social justice issues in urban areas. Law-abiding adults will be able to partake legally and safely knowing exactly what they’re ingesting.

The second bill, he said, combines the new recreational marijuana use with measures that expand the existing medical marijuana law to widen its availability so that patients have "unencumbered access to the full spectrum of relief it provides."

“From a health and wellness standpoint, marijuana provides relief from a host of conditions,” said Sweeney. “By expanding its accessibility, we help New Jerseyans live life to its fullest. And by legalizing the possession of marijuana, we correct a great social injustice. Persons of color have been routinely targeted for marijuana possession. If we legalize marijuana, we end that practice while creating a mechanism for individuals convicted of low-level marijuana possession to have their records expunged.”

One bill, S-2702, would legalize the possession and personal use of marijuana for individuals 21 years of age and up. An individual could possess, use, purchase or transport one ounce or less of marijuana. Additional regulations would apply for marijuana in liquid form, concentrate or infused in other product.

The state would establish a graduated tax rate on marijuana sales to be implemented over several years. Local governments would retain the right to create their own ordinances governing the time, place and manner of sales and they would have 180 days following enactment of the law to prohibit the operation of an establishment to sell marijuana.

Facilities that currently are licensed to sell medical marijuana would be able to immediately apply for a license to sell recreational marijuana, but would be required to maintain separate spaces for both kinds of sales.

Individuals who have been convicted of possessing 50 grams or less of marijuana would be able to present an application for expungement to the Superior Court.

The second bill, S-2703, “The New Jersey Marijuana Act,” would in effect combine the policies and regulations defined in S-2702, with legislation that vastly expands access to medical marijuana.

Currently, the law restricts access to medical marijuana to individuals with a “debilitating medical condition.” Under this bill, the term “debilitating medical condition” would be changed to “qualifying medical condition.”

Both bills have been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

School security

Lawmakers have passing legislation that would provide funding for Vo-Tech expansion, school security, and clean water protection.

“New Jersey businesses face a critical shortage of technical-skilled workers, yet our county vocational-technical schools turn away 15,000 qualified high school students every year because of a lack of adequate facilities,” said Sweeney. “This bond issue is an investment in our future. This skilled worker shortage is one of the most critical factors stunting our state’s economic growth, and we need to address it.”

The bipartisan legislation, S-2293, would provide $400 million in grants to county vocational-technical school districts, $450 million for school security grants, $50 million for county college career and technical education grants, and $100 million for school water infrastructure grants. The bill, approved with a unanimous vote on the Senate, would seek voter approval for a plan to invest in and protect New Jersey’s schools and students.

The tragic school shootings in Parkland, Florida, and the gun violence in other schools prompted the legislators to add school security grants to the legislation. Lawmakers added that legislation would additionally invest in school water infrastructure that would protect students from lead.

Here are other pieces of legislation that could soon land on Murphy's desk:

• A-533: Requires the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association to require a criminal history records check for a person to serve as an official at athletic events sanctioned by association.
• A-764: "Alyssa's Law"; requires public school buildings to be equipped with panic alarm linked to local law enforcement.
• A-1810: Permits operation of low-speed electric bicycles.
• A-3373: Requires DEP to adopt a statewide plan to reduce lead exposure from contaminated soils and drinking water.
• A-1237: Requires state parks, forests, and other natural and historic areas to remain open to public for seven days if emergency is declared due to failure to enact general appropriation law – or closing the state government – as prescribed by NJ Constitution.
• A-1414: Requires financial literacy instruction to pupils enrolled in grades 6 through 8
• A-2189: Requires school districts to include instruction on consequences of distributing and soliciting sexually explicit images through electronic means as part of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

Gov. Murphy photo