Bills covering everything from penalties for those dealing in stolen prescription drugs to countering a resent U.S. Supreme Court decision of eminent domain were the focus of legislators in the 31st Assembly district over the last few weeks.
A bill co-sponsored by state Senator and Bayonne Mayor Joseph Doria — approved by the state Assembly on June 24 – would increase penalties on prescription drug dealers and crack down on the booming black market trade of stolen prescription drugs.
“This bill will give county prosecutors the tools they need to send a message that stealing and illegally selling prescription drugs is a crime, and criminals will be punished,” Doria said. “Currently, the penalties are fare outweighed by the profits in the illegal prescription drug market.”
Under this bill, those charged with possess with intent to distribute prescription drugs in qualities of more than 100 units could be imprisoned for up to 10 years and fined up to $200,000.
The bill heads back to the state Senate for concurrent with Assembly amendments. Another bill co-sponsored by Doria was released from the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee on June 16 for an eventual vote by the whole Assembly.
This bill would allow New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology to receive a percentage of royalties from any patents, trademarks or copyrights developed by a biotech or high energy company to be reinvested in additional programs.
“New Jersey has a history of cultivating process in science and technology that has helped people the world over,” said Doria. “However, the State does not have unlimited resources, and if we’re going to maintain the level of commitment we’ve exhibited so far, success recipients of New Jersey’s support need to give back to the state that gave them so much in the first place.”
Bills on eminent domain and potential health crisis
In reaction to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that permits the use of eminent domain as a tool of redevelopment, Assembly Louis Manzo directed the Office of Legislative Services to draft legislation that would work to rectify the problems that were associated with the power of government to force the sale of property.
The legislation, which will be the first in a series of bills, ensures that parties who are forced to move as a result of acquisition of their home for public use, are compensated fairly. The bill states, “in the case of a single-family residential property, no less than the average purchase price of comparable relocation properties.”
The main objective of the bill package will be to prevent the indiscriminate taking of property. Legislation is currently being considered by Manzo and OLS to mandate the election of redevelopment boards and prohibit municipal or county employees from serving on redevelopment boards that govern the city or county that employs them.
“New Jersey is one of the worst abusers of eminent domain laws,” Manzo said. “As a result of the Supreme Court’s decision, the legislature must act to counter the unwarranted use of eminent domain. These bills will ensure that towns across New Jersey focus on truly blighted areas that are deserving of redevelopment, rather than stretching the boundaries of existing laws for unwarranted condemnation.”
In another bill co-sponsored by Manzo, residents of the state is designed to protect residents from large scale public health crises such as a 9/11-like terrorist attack or a recurrence of the 2001 anthrax bioterrorism case.
The Emergency Health Powers Act would establish a state wide emergency protocol in the event of a public emergency or infectious disease outbreak. The measure would enable the state to coordinate the operations of hospitals and other health faculties as part of a concerted emergency response.
The act would authorize the governor-in consultation with the Department of Health and Senior Services and the state Office of Emergency Management – to declare a public health emergency in the event of a natural, chemical or biological disaster. The act would require the development of a comprehensive plan to ensure rapid detection and coordinated response to bioterrorism and other disease outbreaks or public health threats. This would include establishing environmental standards in the event of animal, plant or crop exposure.
“The flue vaccine shortage this past October illustrated just how critical an emergency plan can be in times of crisis,” Manzo said. “This measure would ensure that procedures for immediate response are in place to quell public panic while preventing the situation from escalating to pandemic proportions.”
Contact Al Sullivan at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com