ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

ASSEMBLY BILL NO. 5075

(Second Reprint)

To the General Assembly:

Pursuant to Article V, Section I, Paragraph 14 of the New Jersey Constitution, I am herewith returning Assembly Committee Substitute for Assembly Bill No. 5075 (Second Reprint) with my recommendations for reconsideration.

This bill removes the Fire Engine and Equipment Museum from the auspices of the Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”) and establishes and reorganizes it as the Fire Museum and Fallen Firefighters Memorial (“Fire Museum”) overseen by an independent, non-profit organization and governed by a Board of Directors (the “Board”).

While I support the Fire Museum’s reorganization, I am concerned that the bill may be overly prescriptive in detailing the responsibilities and duties of the Board of a private entity.  I am therefore recommending, with the support of the bill’s sponsors, the removal of various provisions regarding the Board that are more appropriately established by the Board through its foundational documents, bylaws, collection policies, and similar policy documents.

Therefore, I herewith return Assembly Committee Substitute for Assembly Bill No. 5075 (Second Reprint) and recommend that it be amended as follows:

Page 3, Section 2, Lines_30-31:    Delete “following responsibilities and duties:” and insert “power”

Page 3, Section 2, Line 32:        Delete “(1)”

Page 3, Section 2, Line_33:        After “guidance” insert “, for the administration of the museum and its collections, and in furtherance of the purposes set forth in section 1 of P.L.    , c.  (C.   ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) that are”

Page 3, Section 2, Line 34:        Delete “;” and insert “.”

Page 3, Section 2, Lines 35-46:    Delete in their entirety

Page 4, Section 2, Lines 1-48:     Delete in their entirety

                             Respectfully,

     [seal]

                             /s/ Philip D. Murphy

                             Governor

Attest:

/s/ Parimal Garg

Chief Counsel to the Governor