10th District Legislators to Introduce Bill to Make Offenders Pay for Rescue & Recovery Operations
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Greg McGuckin and Dave Wolfe of the 10th Legislative District will introduce legislation allowing courts to hold certain offenders responsible for the cost of rescue and recovery operations.
A view from a rescue helicopter of the hole a truck fell through while driving on the ice covered Toms River. (U.S. Coast Guard)
The measure was drafted after a pickup truck fell through the ice after being driven onto the frozen Toms River, reportedly to do “donuts,” prompting an emergency search and recovery effort by local emergency responders and the State Police and Coast Guard.
“The massive emergency rescue mission in Toms River resulted from intentional activity that likely violated the law,” said Holzapfel. “Taxpayers should not have to bear the burden of paying for someone else’s stupidity.”
Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin to Introduce Bill Requiring Explosive Gas Detectors in Homes
Gas Explosions Leveled Two New Jersey Homes in Less Than a Week
In response to recent gas explosions that leveled a pair of New Jersey homes, Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Dave Wolfe and Greg McGuckin of the 10th Legislative District have drafted legislation requiring explosive gas detectors to be installed in homes and other dwellings.
Dashcam video provided by the Stafford Township Police Department captured a natural gas explosion destroying a home on February 24, 2015.
Explosive gas detectors alert residents to the presence of dangerous quantities of methane or propane gas in the air. Methane is the primary component of natural gas used to fuel many furnaces, hot water heaters, fireplaces, stoves and ovens.
“While the use of natural gas and propane for heating and cooking in our homes is extremely safe, the recent house explosions in Pt. Pleasant Beach and Stafford Township have reminded us that gas leaks do pose some risk,” said Holzapfel. “We can lower the risk of gas leaks by modeling our response on the successful rollout of carbon monoxide detectors that are now present in nearly every home.”
Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin Bill “Pet Purchase Protection Act” Signed Into Law
Animal Advocates Praise New Protections of Senate Bill 1870
Legislation sponsored by Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Dave Wolfe and Greg McGuckin requiring pet stores to display additional information about each dog and cat for sale, including the name and address of the breeder was signed into law by Governor Chris Christie.
“After years of dedication to this legislation, we are pleased this measure to protect the purchaser from buying sick pets for their families is now law,” said Holzapfel. “By requiring a pet store to disclose the history at the point of sale, we can give consumers the opportunity to research the breeder and make an informed decision on where to make their purchase.”
Holzapfel and McGuckin Introduce Bill Reducing Wages for Civilly Committed Sexually Violent Predators
Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblyman Greg McGuckin of the 10th Legislative District have introduced legislation, S-2697/A-4095, which would require civilly committed sexually violent predators to be paid the same rate as state inmates for work performed while in custody to provide savings for taxpayers.
Violent sexual offenders who are civilly committed are housed in the Special Treatment Unit of the Adult Diagnostic & Treatment Center in Avenel. (Google Maps)
“Inmates confined in New Jersey prisons are paid substantially less than minimum wage for work they perform,” said Holzapfel. “The reduced rate we pay to inmates reflects the belief that the work they perform offsets the cost to taxpayers for their confinement. The same should be true for violent sexual predators who remain in state custody.”
Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin Bill to Rename Route 35 Bridge Signed Into Law
Bridge to Be Named the “Veterans of All Wars Memorial Bridge”
Legislation designating the State Highway Route 35 bridge between Brielle and Point Pleasant Beach as the “Veterans of All Wars Memorial Bridge” was signed into law by Acting Governor Kim Guadagno at the American Legion in Brick Township.
Acting Gov. Kim Guadagno signed into law a bill sponsored by Holzapfel, Wolfe and McGuckin to designate the Rt. 35 bridge between Brielle and Pt. Pleasant Beach as the “Veterans of All Wars Memorial Bridge” on January 6, 2015 at the American Legion in Brick Twp. (SenateNJ.com)
The bill, S-1027/A-3758, is sponsored by Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Dave Wolfe and Greg McGuckin (all R-10) to honor the men and women who have served in our country’s armed forces.
Senate Passes Holzapfel Legislation to Encourage Proper Storage of Firearms
The New Jersey Senate has approved legislation sponsored by Senator Jim Holzapfel (R-10) that increases penalties for leaving a loaded firearm within easy access of a minor, resulting in injury or death.
Senator Jim Holzapfel (R-10) talking to News 12 on September 22, 2014, prior to the Senate’s approval of his legislation (S-516) that would increase penalties for leaving loaded firearms within easy access of a minor, resulting in injury or death. (SenateNJ.com)
“In my hometown of Toms River, a four-year-old shot and killed his six-year-old neighbor with one of the many loaded firearms his father left unsecured around his home within reach of the young child,” said Holzapfel. “As a former prosecutor, gun owner and supporter of the Second Amendment, I find it unconscionable that some gun owners could be so irresponsible. As long as the penalty remains a virtual slap on the wrist for gun owners in these instances, we will continue to read about these tragedies.”
Holzapfel Bill Seeking to Prevent Children’s Access to Loaded Firearms Passes Committee
Legislation sponsored by Senator Jim Holzapfel (R-10) that seeks to keep loaded firearms out of the hands of unsupervised minors was approved by the Senate Law & Public Safety Committee.
“We’ve seen too many instances where children with access to a parent’s firearms engage in planned attacks harming others, and too many tragedies where children living in or visiting a home with unlocked and loaded firearms end up accidentally harming themselves,” said Holzapfel, a member of the committee. “This legislation balances the rights of responsible gun owners with the public interest of reducing preventable deaths from planned and accidental shootings.”
Holzapfel, Wolfe & McGuckin Bill Increasing Penalties for Leaving Scene of a Boating Accident Signed Into Law
Legislation sponsored by the 10th District legislators, Senator Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Dave Wolfe and Greg McGuckin, which establishes criminal penalties for leaving the scene of a boating accident was signed into law by Governor Christie at a public bill signing in Point Pleasant, New Jersey.
Gov. Chris Christie signing into law legislation sponsored by Sen. Jim Holzapfel (2nd from right), Asm. Dave Wolfe (center-right) and Asm. Greg McGuckin (center-left) increasing penalties for leaving the scene of a boating accident in Point Pleasant on July 3, 2014. (SenateNJ.com)
“Safety is always our first concern with more boaters on our waterways each year. This legislation will give law enforcement the authority needed to prosecute those reckless enough to leave the scene of an accident without assisting the passengers of the other vessel,” said Senator Holzapfel.
Senate Passes Holzapfel, Singer Bill Expanding “Pet Purchase Protection Act”
The full Senate today passed legislation sponsored by Senators Jim Holzapfel (R-10) and Robert Singer (R-30) that would require pet stores to display additional information about each dog and cat for sale, including the name and address of the breeder.
“We’ve heard too many stories about puppy and kitten mills that breed and keep too many animals in unhealthy and inhumane conditions,” said Holzapfel. “By requiring increased disclosure of a cat or dog’s history at the point of sale, we can give consumers the opportunity to research the breeder and their reputation and make an informed decision on where to make their purchase.”
Holzapfel, Kyrillos Deride $1 Billion Sandy Aid Sweepstakes
Senators Jim Holzapfel (R-10) and Joe Kyrillos (R-13) criticized President Obama’s reported announcement that $1 billion in remaining Superstorm Sandy relief funding will be dolled out to other states in a national resiliency competition.
Senators Holzapfel and Kyrillos introduced legislation in April urging the United States Congress to prohibit the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from diverting remaining Sandy aid funding to projects in other parts of the country.
