Requires the waterfront and airport commission to submit meeting minutes for gubernatorial review and approval; expands gubernatorial oversight powers

1 Co-sponsor

• Andrew J. Lanza

BILL NUMBER:S5395

Title of bill

An act to amend the waterfront and airport commission act, in relation to requiring the submission of meeting minutes for gubernatorial review and approval; in relation to providing gubernatorial veto power; and in relation to expanding gubernatorial oversight powers

Purpose

Provides the Governors of both New York and New Jersey with review and approval of waterfront commission minutes and provides for oversight by both governors.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 - amends subdivision 3 of article III of section 1 of part I of chapter 882 of the laws of 1953, constituting the waterfront and airport commission act, as amended by chapter 951 of the laws of 1970:

* Commission acts shall on be taken by a majority vote by taken at a meeting of its members

* Requires the commission maintain minutes of all meetings, which then must be certified by the secretary of the commission and transmitted to the governor of NY and NJ.

* No actions may be taken by a commission unless once delivered minutes are approved by both governors within a 10-day period, the governors may approve or veto the minutes within the 10-day period.

* Vetoes by the governor(s)shall make that action null and void and of no effect

Section 2 - amends subdivisions 5, 7 and 11 of article IV of section 1 of part I of chapter 882 of 1953:

* Appointments, duties and compensation would become subject to the approval of governors of both states

* Rules and regulations must be approved by governors of both state

* Investigations into practices of the shall be under the oversight of governors of both states

Section 3 - requires approval of governors of both states pertaining to rules and regulations of stockholders

Section 4 - requires approval of governors of both states pertaining to information required in the hiring of longshoremen or port watchmen.

Section 5- requires approval of governors of both states pertaining to the collection and auditing of assessments.

Section 6 - requires approval of governors of both states pertaining to the powers of the commissioner to make reasonable rules and regulations.

Section 7 - repeals part 11 of subdivision A of section 2 of part II of chapter 882 of the laws of 1953

Section 8 - power to establish divisions or departments and staff them within the commission are subject to approval of governors of both states

Section 9 - regulations concerning corporations are subject to approval a of governors of both states

Section 10 - powers of the commission to make rules and regulation are subject to approval of governors of both states

Section 11 - No independent auditor shall be retained without of governors of both states

Section 12 - rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the compact are subject to the approval of both states Section 13 - provides for effective date

Existing law

Initial Compact - chapter 882 of the laws of 1953, major amendments by chapter 951 of the laws and 1970, with additional amendments in subsequent years with 2007 being the most recent.

Justification

As a bi-state commission the governors of both states should have approval and veto authority in the workings of the Waterfront and Airport Commission.

Legislative history

New Legislation

Fiscal implications

None

Effective date

This act shall take effect upon the enactment into law by the state of New Jersey of legislation having similar effect with this act, then immediately and shall have been in full force and effect on October 1, 2010.