14th Legislative District Assemblyman Also to Serve on Health, Transportation Panels
Assembly Deputy Speaker Pro Tempore Daniel R. Benson will serve on Assembly committees aimed at preserving New Jersey residents’ safety, health and ability to travel throughout the state as the 217th legislative session begins.
Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto has appointed Benson to serve as chair of the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee, which is responsible for reviewing legislation dealing with police, fire and emergency management services, public safety regulations, criminalization of activities and legal ramifications of crimes.
“As a legislator, I helped to strengthen Megan’s Law, fought to reform halfway houses and worked to better protect seniors from scams. As the new chair of the Assembly Law & Public Safety Committee, I look forward to working with the Speaker and my colleagues to further the safety of New Jersey’s families,” said Benson (D-Mercer/Middlesex). “I’m honored that the Speaker has entrusted me with this responsibility and am ready to get to work in this new role.”
Since taking office, Benson has sponsored numerous bills in the Assembly, including A-387, which establishes the “School Bus Safety and Child Protection Act,” requiring periodic criminal background checks for certain school employees and prohibiting interference with school bus monitoring devices.
In addition to taking the helm as chair of the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee, Benson will serve on the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee, which is responsible for the oversight of health care policy, and the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee, which monitors all segments of state transportation, including bridge and highway construction, motor vehicle inspections, expansion of light-rail train systems and management of the toll road authorities.
Benson, who studied physics and government at Georgetown University and holds a master’s in science and technology policy from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University, is a consultant in the energy and telecommunications policy field.
“I am also excited to be continuing to serve as a member of the Health and Senior Services Committee and joining the Transportation Committee. I enjoy applying my science background to the unique challenges created by changes in health care today,” said Benson. “And I anticipate bringing a unique perspective to the Transportation Committee as it works to restore the Transportation Trust Fund, improve our transportation infrastructure and make mass transit better.”
Benson represents the 14th Legislative District, which encompasses towns in Mercer and Middlesex counties, including Cranbury, East Windsor, Hamilton, Hightstown, Jamesburg, Monroe, Plainsboro, Robbinsville and Spotswood.