Governor Murphy Signs Gun Safety Bill Strengthening Concealed Carry Laws in New Jersey in Response to Bruen Decision
Governor Phil Murphy signed A4769/S3214, delivering on the promise he made in the immediate aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Bruen decision when he unveiled a comprehensive legislative proposal to maintain New Jersey’s status as a model for gun safety by strengthening restrictions for who is eligible for a public carry permit, and establishing a list of places where people with carry permits cannot bring their firearms.
In June, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the N.Y. State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen case that it is impermissible to require applicants in New York to show “proper cause” to carry a handgun in public, which had the effect of invalidating New Jersey's longstanding laws restricting public carry to those who could demonstrate a "justifiable need". Less than 24 hours later, Governor Murphy unveiled a comprehensive proposal that, consistent with Bruen, would strengthen the statutory disqualifiers for those eligible for a carry permit, while significantly expanding the list of sensitive places where individuals cannot carry firearms.
“Today’s bill signing is the culmination of months of negotiations between this Administration and our partners in the Legislature, delivering on the promise I made this summer to keep New Jersey safe in the aftermath of the Supreme Court's awful decision,” said Governor Murphy. “While I strongly disagree with that decision, we must abide by it, and today's law fully respects the Second Amendment while keeping guns out of the wrong hands and preventing them from proliferating in our communities. I am proud to sign this commonsense legislation which prohibits carrying guns in sensitive places, including our daycares, hospitals, libraries, and stadiums.”
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Governor Murphy and Netflix Announce Plans to Build State-of-the-art East Coast Production Facility at Fort Monmouth
Governor Phil Murphy and Netflix announced that the entertainment company will develop a state-of-the-art East Coast production facility on the former Fort Monmouth campus in Monmouth County, transforming a property that has been largely vacant for more than a decade into an economic engine that is estimated to create more than 1,500 permanent production jobs and more than 3,500 construction-related jobs in New Jersey. Netflix plans to commit $848 million in capital investments to develop the more than 292-acre parcel, adjacent to Route 35 in Eatontown and Oceanport, into 12 state-of-the-art soundstages totaling nearly 500,000 square feet of new development, with the remainder of the property slated for redevelopment with supporting film uses and several community amenities.
“This transformative investment will serve as a cornerstone in our efforts to create a thriving industry from whole cloth,” said Governor Murphy. “As a result of nearly a billion dollars in film production spending, New Jersey will further solidify its status as an emerging national leader in the television and film industries. Additionally, Netflix’s substantial direct investment will stimulate job creation and spark an entirely new ecosystem of housing, hotels, and ancillary businesses and services, bringing with it countless additional jobs and boosting the regional economy.”
“Since the beginning of this Administration, it has been a top priority of ours to build New Jersey’s film and television industry. It is so exciting that our state has just added another force to its ranks with the addition of Netflix’s production facility at Fort Monmouth,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “This announcement comes with a promise of opportunity to the residents, business owners, workers, and many others across our state. Not only will the facility generate thousands of new jobs, but it will also bring increased economic activity to our local and small owned businesses, ultimately leaving a lasting, positive impact on our great state’s economy well beyond this Administration.”
“We're thrilled to continue and expand our significant investment in New Jersey and North America. We believe a Netflix studio can boost the local and state economy with thousands of new jobs and billions in economic output, while sparking a vibrant production ecosystem in New Jersey," said Ted Sarandos, Netflix Co-CEO and Chief Content Officer. "We look forward to working with Governor Murphy, his administration and local leaders to finalize this deal in the months ahead. We thank the FMERA Board and their staff for selecting Netflix as the winning bid and for supporting our mission to create a state-of-the-art production facility at Fort Monmouth."
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Governor Murphy Signs Legislation Setting the Stage for NJ's Child Welfare to Make Long-awaited Exit From Federal Oversight
Governor Phil Murphy signed A-3707/S-2395 as a key part of the effort to fulfill New Jersey’s commitment to implement the necessary accountability measures to exit from federal oversight of child protective services administered under the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (NJ DCF). This legislation represents an important step in the State’s ongoing process of exiting from this arrangement following the progress New Jersey has made in reforming its child welfare system over the past 20 years.
The legislation signed today ensures independent review of the Department’s child protection work will continue once federal oversight ends, while also codifying child protection caseload load limits for child protection caseworkers to ensure that each child’s case receives the necessary amount of attention and care.
“My administration remains committed to advancing and expanding upon the efforts of our predecessors to make New Jersey’s child welfare system one that can serve as a national model for the protection of every child in our care,” said Governor Murphy. “Today’s legislation recognizes the significant progress our state has made in reforming our child welfare system to ensure no child falls through the cracks and every case is treated with the time and attention it needs.”
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Governor Murphy Announces Appointments to Opioid Recovery and Remediation Advisory Council
Governor Phil Murphy announced the appointments of 10 public members to the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Advisory Council. The Council, which was established under Executive Order No. 305, will provide recommendations for uses of the funds that the State of New Jersey is receiving as a result of nationwide settlement agreements with several opioid manufacturers and distributors for their contributions to the ongoing opioid epidemic.
“As we work to combat the opioid epidemic, it is essential that our approach continues to be informed by individuals and communities who have experienced it firsthand, whether that be personally or professionally,” said Governor Murphy. “By distributing proceeds from national opioid litigation settlements efficiently and equitably, we will move closer to ending the opioid epidemic and supporting those affected by it. I am proud to appoint members to this Advisory Council today and I look forward to their valuable and critical insight.”
As part of the agreements, the several opioid manufacturers and distributors will pay the State of New Jersey and eligible counties and municipalities a combined total of over $600 million in settlement funds over the next two decades. The purpose of the council will be to make recommendations for the Administration’s consideration regarding the prioritization and effective use of the State’s share of these settlement funds in ways that align with the terms of the settlements. This process will also include review of submissions from members of the public – including treatments providers, advocates, residents with substance use disorders, and social service organizations – regarding the use of these settlement funds. Public input was accepted through an online portal from August 31 through October 31.
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NJEDA Announces Launch of New Cannabis Grant Program
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board announced the creation of the Cannabis Equity Grant Program, aimed at helping start-ups in the state develop with assistance for early-stage expenses and technical training. Up to $10 million in state funding will be made available for applicants.
“My Administration is doubling its efforts to cultivate small businesses in burgeoning industries with massive untapped potential,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “The establishment of the Cannabis Equity Grant Program will help aspiring small business owners meet start-up expenses in a pivotal sector within our state’s ever-growing economy. Most importantly, the program will erode considerable barriers to access for communities of color, which this program will help to equip with the resources they need to not just enter, but thrive, in this exciting new industry.”
Following the 2020 referendum legalizing adult-use recreational marijuana in New Jersey and the 2021 legislation establishing the framework for regulated growth and sales, Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation in June 2022 allowing the Authority to offer qualifying small businesses licensed in the cannabis industry to pursue assistance.
“I am in full support of funding the Cannabis Equity Grant Program to help private entities create business start-ups in New Jersey,” said Lt. Governor Sheila Y. Oliver. “The Murphy Administration fought for the legalization of cannabis because of our commitment to social justice issues. Our administration will continue working to grow a cannabis industry that reflects the diversity of our state, protects access for medical marijuana patients, prioritizes justice, and promotes equal opportunities for communities of color."
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