Sponsored by:
Senator JENNIFER BECK
District 11 (Monmouth)
SYNOPSIS
Permits certain former members and employees of NJ Racing Commission to work for licensee thereof if State Ethics Commission finds no conflict of interest.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning former members and employees of the New Jersey Racing Commission, and amending P.L.2003, c.151.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 1 of P.L.2003, c.151 (C.5:5-25.1) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. No member or employee of the commission shall hold any direct or indirect interest in, or be employed by, any applicant for or holder of a permit or license issued by the commission for a period of two years commencing at the termination of membership on or employment with the commission, except that: (1) a secretarial or clerical employee of the commission may accept such employment at any time after the termination of employment with the commission; and (2) a member or employee of the commission may accept such employment at anytime within two years after termination of membership on or employment with the commission if, in the judgment of the State Ethics Commission, such employment will not create a conflict of interest, or the reasonable risk of the public perception of a conflict of interest, on the part of the former member or employee.
b. No member or employee of the commission, except a former member or employee who has been permitted by the State Ethics Commission to accept employment, shall represent any person or party other than the State before or against the commission with respect to any matter that was before the commission during the tenure of the commission member or employee of the commission for a period of two years from the termination of his or her office or employment with the commission.
(cf: P.L.2003, c.151, s.1)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
Under current law, no member or employee of the New Jersey Racing Commission can be employed by any applicant for or holder of a permit or license issued by the commission for a period of two years commencing at the termination of membership on or employment with the commission. The restriction does not apply to a secretarial or clerical employee of the commission.
This bill permits a member or employee of the commission who leaves such office or employment to accept employment with the applicant for or holder of a permit or license issued by the commission at anytime within two years after termination of membership on or employment with the commission if, in the judgment of the State Ethics Commission, such employment will not create a conflict of interest, or the reasonable risk of the public perception of a conflict of interest, on the part of the former member or employee. The bill also exempts a former member or employee of the commission, if the former member or employee is permitted by the State Ethic Board, from being barred from representing any person or party other than the State before or against the commission on any matter that was before the commission during the tenure of the commission member or employee.