Bill Text: NJ S886 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Prohibits Governor from using State helicopter for out-of-State political or personal events.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-01-12 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Law and Public Safety Committee [S886 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-S886-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
217th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2016 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator LINDA R. GREENSTEIN
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Senator RICHARD J. CODEY
District 27 (Essex and Morris)
SYNOPSIS
Prohibits Governor from using State helicopter for out-of-State political or personal events.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning gubernatorial use of State helicopters and supplementing Title 26 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. A State helicopter may be used to transport the Governor or a member of his staff to an event that is directly related to carrying out the official duties of the Governor. A State helicopter shall not be used to transport the Governor or any member of the Governor's staff to an out-of-State destination for a political or personal event.
b. The details of each use of a State helicopter by the Governor or staff member of the Governor shall be documented by the Aviation Unit in the Division of State Police in the Department of Law and Public Safety.
c. The Aviation Unit shall submit quarterly reports to the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee and the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee, or any successor committee, analyzing the cost of the use of State helicopters by the Governor and staff members of the Governor. These reports shall include, but not be limited to, the number of flights, the name of each person transported on each flight, flight destinations, flight hours, fuel and maintenance expenses, and salary expenses.
d. As used in this section, "political event" shall include, but not be limited to, any affair intended to raise funds for the nomination, election, or re-election of a candidate for office, 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 subsection k. of section 3 of P.L.1973, c.83 (C.19:44A-3).
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill prohibits the Governor and members of the Governor's staff from using a State helicopter to attend out-of-State political or personal events. The bill also requires a quarterly report on the use of State helicopters by the Governor and staff.
This bill addresses the inappropriate use of State helicopters by the Governor. According to the sponsor, the Governor should have access to State Police helicopters to effectively and efficiently conduct State business. However, these multi-million dollar, taxpayer-funded helicopters should not be used for out-of-State travel for the Governor's own personal or political reasons. These helicopters should remain primarily available to provide government services for the benefit of the citizens in this State.
