Bill Text: NJ ACR126 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Dedicates fines and settlements from environmental violations for environmental purposes.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-02-04 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee [ACR126 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2016-ACR126-Introduced.html

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ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 126

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

217th LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 4, 2016

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  JOHN F. MCKEON

District 27 (Essex and Morris)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Dedicates fines and settlements from environmental violations for environmental purposes.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As introduced.

  

A Concurrent Resolution proposing to amend Article VIII, Section II of the Constitution of the State of New Jersey by adding a new paragraph thereto.

 

     Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):

 

     1.  The following proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of New Jersey is agreed to:

 

PROPOSED AMENDMENT

 

     Amend Article VIII, Section II by adding a new paragraph 9 to read as follows:

     9.  There shall be credited annually to a special account in the General Fund an amount equivalent to the revenue annually derived from all fines and settlements collected by the State from violations of environmental laws as defined by law.

     The amount annually credited pursuant to this paragraph shall be dedicated, and shall be appropriated from time to time by the Legislature, only for paying for costs incurred by the State to repair damage to the State's natural resources or to mitigate or repair environmental damage caused by violations of the environmental laws.  No moneys appropriated pursuant to this paragraph may be expended for any indirect administrative costs of the State or its departments, agencies, or authorities.

 

     2.  When this proposed amendment to the Constitution is finally agreed to pursuant to Article IX, paragraph 1 of the Constitution, it shall be submitted to the people at the next general election occurring more than three months after the final agreement and shall be published at least once in at least one newspaper of each county designated by the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the General Assembly and the Secretary of State, not less than three months prior to the general election.

 

     3.    This proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be submitted to the people at that election in the following manner and form:

     There shall be printed on each official ballot to be used at the general election, the following:

     a.  In every municipality in which voting machines are not used, a legend which shall immediately precede the question as follows:

     If you favor the proposition printed below make a cross (X), plus (+), or check (a) in the square opposite the word "Yes." If you are opposed thereto make a cross (X), plus (+) or check (a) in the square opposite the word "No."

     b.  In every municipality the following question:

 

		CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT DEDICATING STATE ENVIRONMENTAL FINES AND SETTLEMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PURPOSES
	YES	Do you approve amending the Constitution to limit the use of money collected from violators who break environmental laws?  The money could only be used to fix damage to the State's natural resources and for the cleanup of damages caused by the environmental violations.
		INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT
	NO	This amendment would limit the use of money collected by the State from the fines and settlements of environmental violations.  Currently, this money may be used for General Fund purposes.  The use of the money would be limited to fixing damage to the State's natural resources and the cleanup of damage caused by violators of environmental laws.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

            This constitutional amendment would dedicate all fines and settlements for violations of environmental laws.  The amount dedicated could be used only for the repair of damage to the State's natural resources or environmental damage caused by the violations.