8/31/06
New Jersey FAMM continues to achieve its goals: permanent commission bill passes Assembly
New Jersey is one step closer to establishing a permanent sentencing commission after the General Assembly passed A. 2103, sponsored by Assemblyman Peter J. Barnes (D18, Middlesex) on June 8. That bill and its companion, S. 1401, sponsored by Sen. John A. Girgenti (D-35, Passaic, Bergen), were referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. It is hoped that the Committee will consider the legislation when the regular legislative session resumes, most likely in September.
A permanent state sentencing commission is a critically important step toward ensuring a fairer, more proportionate and cost-effective state sentencing system.
Lynn Nowak, FAMM lobbyist and FAMM staff members met with key state and local government officials and organizational leaders throughout the spring and summer, advocating for the commission and school-zone reform bills, A. 2877, also sponsored by Assemblyman Barnes (D-18, Middlesex) and S. 278, introduced by Sen. Bernard Kenny (D-33, Hudson). Both bills are pending in Assembly and Senate committees.
The bills reduce all drug free zones drug-free zones to 200 feet, enhances the penalty for a zone violation to a second-degree offense, and removes the current mandatory minimum penalty of incarceration. Updates on the status of A.2103, A.2877, and S.278, as well as a guide to action will be in the next New Jersey Alert.