New Jersey Senate approves wide range of bills, confirms nominees in largely unanimous session

The New Jersey Senate, meeting in session, unanimously or overwhelmingly approved a broad package of bills and confirmed judicial nominations after brief debate and a series of substitution and concurrence motions.

The session advanced a range of measures affecting public health, elections, education and the environment, including a narrowly divided vote on creation of a public health institute and recorded votes on restrictions related to mail-ballot messengers and electioneering distances. Senators also adopted ceremonial resolutions recognizing National Child Abuse Prevention Month and Women’s History Month and confirmed judicial nominations, including the designation of Christopher (Chris) Strubin to the Superior Court.

Several bills passed with near- or full unanimity, often recorded as 39-0 in the transcript, while other measures drew more divided counts. The most contested roll calls included Senate Bill 3562 (designation and establishment of a public health institute), which passed 24-15, and legislation limiting certain uses of PCE and TCE, which passed 24-13. A proposal restricting compensation for mail-in ballot messengers passed 30-8; a measure allowing counties to extend the distance within which electioneering is prohibited passed 31-8. The Senate also voted 38-1 to designate the State House Complex Welcome Center as the Governor Richard J. Codey Welcome Center.

Votes at a glance (bill — short description — mover when stated — recorded tally / outcome): - Assembly Bill 3,940 — “Modifies regulation of mortuary science and establishes oversight of mortuary and embalming science.” Mover: Senator Zwicker. Vote: 39 yes, 0 no — approved. - Assembly Bill 4,535 — “Concerns state regulation of cooperative…