The last day of the lame duck session in Trenton was certainly not short of action, with a slew of activity taking place at the State House Jan. 8.

Gov. Phil Murphy signed a number of measures that previously passed, while lawmakers voted on a flurry of other bills to send to his desk for signature. On Monday, NJBIZ reported on one of those bill signings, which established the VETeach pilot program.

Some other notable measures Murphy took action on Monday include:

Now law

• Senate Bill 1438/Assembly Bill 5794, allowing unions to file wage claim suits on behalf of workers in certain projects if the workers belong to the union or are unaffiliated with any union.
• S2760/A4384, puts in place additional procedures for inspecting, evaluating and maintaining the structural integrity of certain residential housing structures – such as condominiums and coops – across the state.
• A3892/S2952, streamlines gym membership cancellation policies to protect New Jersey consumers.
• A4052, establishes a $10.2 million, three-year sickle cell disease pilot program.
• S3013/A5062, revises the definition of women’s business enterprise and minority business enterprise.
• A2138/S1890, updates regulation of home improvement and home elevation contractors and contractors’ businesses.
• A4125/S2712, prohibits the sale, manufacture, distribution and use of firefighting foam containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as forever chemicals.
• S2716/A4153, requires NJ FamilyCare to reimburse claims for covered services submitted by clinical social workers, professional counselors, and marriage and family therapists under certain circumstances.
• A4785/S3409, allows for higher foreign investment limitations, which gives New Jersey insurance companies the ability to have more diversified portfolios
• A5417/S3890, prohibits limiting the number of county college credits that may be applied toward educator preparation program and teacher certification requirements.

Conditional veto

• A2146/S855 (statement), would create a state business assistance program to establish contracting agency procurement goals for socially and economically disadvantaged business enterprises.
• A5416/S3883 (statement), would require the state Board of Education to authorize an alternate route to expedite teacher certification of persons employed as paraprofessionals in school districts.

Absolute veto

• A5283/S3939 (statement), would require calculation of national average time needed to approve applications for initial credential in profession or occupation and use of average time as standard in New Jersey.

A full list of the bills Murphy took action on can be found here.

More to come?

Following the frantic final voting session Monday, dozens more bills are now headed to the governor’s desk.

Some of the notable measures that await Murphy’s signature following passage Jan. 8 include:

• S4266/A5910 – A controversial measure that would raise the salaries of lawmakers 67% from $49,000 to $82,000 while also raising the taxpayer-funded salaries for other legislative staffers, cabinet members and public officials bill.
• S4265/A5912 – The much-talked about liquor license reform measure, coverage of which you can find here from NJBIZ.
• A5840/S4217 – Would extend accommodations implemented during the pandemic regarding remote work for businesses participating in state economic development programs.
• S659/A2014 – The “Manufacturing in Higher Education Act,” which helps promote manufacturing in New Jersey and career pathways for students.
• S5582/A3781 – Establishes a grant program to strengthen and expand YouthBuild programs statewide, providing job training and educational opportunities to at-risk youth ages 16-24.
• S3234/A4522 – Would require sellers of single-family homes with solar panels to disclose the contract information for the business that installed the solar panels.
• A4177/S2478 – Would extend subsidies to child care centers based on enrollment, not attendance.

A measure that was previously being fast-tracked to reform the state’s affordable housing system and process (A4/S4251) hit a wall before the session wrapped up and is being punted to next session.

Fond farewell

Monday also marked the final session for a number of lawmakers as a result of elections and retirements. Long-serving legislators moving on include former Gov. and onetime Senate President Richard Codey, D-27th District; former Senate Republican Leader Steve Oroho, R-24th District; and Sen. Sam Thompson, D-12th District.

In a Monday statement, Murphy noted that the Codey and Thompson each served the Garden State for at least half a century.

“I want to congratulate Gov. Dick Codey on his legacy as the longest serving legislator in New Jersey history,” said Murphy. “More importantly, I want to thank him for his enormous service to our state. He is the rarest of politicians – a gentleman guided by compassion, who stepped up with a steady hand when New Jersey needed him most and made it his mission to improve conditions for some of our most vulnerable. New Jersey will never forget his leadership both as a governor and a legislator who embraced bipartisanship and never shied away from the tough decisions. Tammy and I wish him and Mary Jo all the best for health, happiness, and many years of enjoyment with their grandchildren.”

“Like Gov. Codey, Sen. Sam Thompson is also bidding goodbye to the Legislature after more than 50 years of public service to his adopted home state,” said Murphy. “Tammy and I thank him for his dedicated public service and wish him all the best in the next phase of his life – whether it’s retirement or law school.”

New members will be sworn in Tuesday as each party holds reorganization meetings for the next session. More than 30 new members take office Jan. 9 and six more move from the Assembly to the Senate.

“I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the many other lawmakers who are bidding goodbye today after decades of service to the people of New Jersey,” said Murphy. “Each has left a mark in their own unique way and I wish them all the best in their next endeavors.”

The governor delivers his annual State of the State Address Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. from Trenton. Stay with NJBIZ for the very latest coverage and reaction from that speech, which you can watch here.