Bill Text: NJ A4184 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Prohibits Governor from using State helicopter for personal and political events; requires quarterly reports to the Legislature.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-06-27 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee [A4184 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-A4184-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman ANNETTE QUIJANO
District 20 (Union)
SYNOPSIS
Prohibits Governor from using State helicopter for personal and political events; requires quarterly reports to the Legislature.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning State helicopters and supplementing P.L.1986, c.106 (C.26:2K-35 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Governor or a member of the Governor's staff is prohibited from using a State helicopter as transport to attend a political or personal event that is not an emergency or directly related to carrying out the duties of the Governor. All use by the Governor or a member of the Governor's staff of a State helicopter shall be documented by the Division of State Police Aviation Unit in the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety.
As used in this section, the term "political event" includes but is not limited to an affair intended to raise funds for the nomination, election or re-election of a candidate for office in New Jersey, the delivery of an address in support of or in opposition to the policies of a political party in this State or anywhere in the United States, or a testimonial affair, as defined in paragraph k. of section 3 of P.L.1973, c.83 (C.19:44A-3).
b. On the first day of the third month following the effective date of this act, P.L. , c. (now pending before the Legislature as this bill), and on the first day of every third month thereafter, the Division of State Police Aviation Unit shall report to the Joint Budget Oversight Committee, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, and the Assembly Budget Committee, or their successors. The report shall contain, but need not be limited to, cost analyses concerning the Office of the Governor activities including the number of flights, the names of individuals transported on each flight, flight destinations, flight hours, fuel and maintenance expenses, and salary expenses.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill prohibits the Governor or a member of the Governor's staff from using a State helicopter as transportation to attend a political or personal event and requires a quarterly report on the use of State helicopters by the Governor or members of the Governor's staff.
New Jersey's governors have access to State Police helicopters to effectively and efficiently conduct State business. This privilege is now being abused and State helicopters are being used to transport the Governor and staff members to political and personal events.
