(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats John Burzichelli, Ruben J. Ramos Jr., Ralph Caputo, Daniel R. Benson, Annette Quijano, Craig J. Coughlin and Peter Barnes to slash red tape and eliminate government bureaucracy was released Thursday by an Assembly panel.
The bills would:
· Modify the process for contested case hearings by the Office of Administrative Law with regard to telephone and video conferences, delegation of final decision authority, oral decisions, checklist decisions, electronic filings, and settlements (A-1521). It’s sponsored by Burzichelli, Quijano, Caputo and Ramos.
· Revise the Administrative Procedure Act concerning conflicts between rules of different state agencies (A-1524). It’s sponsored by Burzichelli, Coughlin and Barnes.
“New Jerseyans have been waiting for too long for us to find ways to reduce the mountains of regulation, while still honoring our responsibility to protect the environment and citizens,” said Burzichelli (D-Gloucester/Cumberland/Salem). “The Assembly has already taken steps to ease burdensome regulations, and these bills will help us get even more reform accomplished for the betterment of our state.”
“Not only do we need sensible rules and regulation to ensure we’re smartly promoting businesses and job creation, but we need to make sure our laws are updated and sensible,” said Ramos (D-Hudson). “Let’s clear up this bureaucracy.”
“These reforms will go a long way toward less bureaucracy and more productivity for our businesses, boosting our economy and creating jobs,” said Quijano (D-Union). “That’s always a good thing, especially in this difficult economy.”
“Streamlining these regulations is a key step toward creating jobs and a better business environment for our state,” said Caputo (D-Essex). “These are common sense reforms that slash red tape and tackle unneeded bureaucracy.”
“A better business climate means better jobs for working New Jersey families, which is especially important these days,” said Coughlin (D-Middlesex). “With our unemployment hovering around 9 percent, we need to promote a good business environment and job creation.”
“Promoting economic development and job creation is a top priority, and this red tape-cutting legislation is one way to help achieve that goal,” said Barnes (D-Middlesex). “These are common sense steps forward.”
The bills were released by the Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee chaired by Ramos. Both were released 5-0.
