Buono Bill

BUONO BILL TO ENSURE SALES TAX REVENUES GO TO TAX RELIEF

TRENTON - Senator Barbara Buono today introduced legislation that would enable voters to ensure that a projected $665 million in new sales tax revenue gets used solely for property tax relief.

“I just believe this legislation will help taxpayers get the relief they deserve,� said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex, and a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

BUONO BILL WOULD PROMOTE RESTORATION OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS

TRENTON - The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee unanimously approved legislation today sponsored by Senator Barbara Buono that would encourage the rehabilitation of historic properties in the State by offering tax credits for a portion of the cost of the rehabilitation.

"There are many historic buildings in New Jersey that have seen far better days," said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex and Chair of the Committee. "These buildings form the core of our older neighborhoods and through their rehabilitation, we can breathe new life into these communities and combat sprawl."

BUONO BILL TO MAKE IT EASIER TO GET AN ACCIDENT REPORT APPROVED BY ASSEMBLY

TRENTON - The State Assembly gave final legislative approval today to a measure sponsored by Senator Barbara Buono that would make it easier for drivers to obtain an accident report by facsimile or mail.

"It makes little sense that in a world where electronic communications are second nature, that people must to go in person to the police department to get a copy of an accident report," said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. "We are used to conducting business from the comfort of our own home and it's far past time that police departments offer the option to get a report by mail or fax."

SENATE APPROVES BUONO BILL TO PROTECT FINANCIAL INFORMATION CONFIDENTIALITY

TRENTON - Senator Barbara Buono welcomed Senate approval of her bill that would fine financial institutions up to $500,000 if they fail to get individual "opt-in" permission before sharing their clients' private information, saying that recognizes the fact that federal law makes it too easy for those institutions to sell such information to third parties.

"At a time where we need to crack down harder on those who perpetrate credit card fraud, we need to provide more protection from identity theft, not less," said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. "I find it absurd that people have to actively work to keep their personal financial information private and secure."

BUONO BILL TO STIFFEN MEGAN'S LAW PENALTIES PASSES SENATE

TRENTON - Violating the address registration provisions in Megan's Law will soon lead to stricter penalties under a bill sponsored by Senator Barbara Buono and approved by the Senate unanimously today.

"Megan's Law has been a valuable tool in law enforcement's fight against sexual assault and abuse," said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. "The success of the sex offender registry program is dependent upon individuals accurately reporting their home address to the authorities. With these tougher penalties in place, sex offenders will think twice before trying to subvert the law." As municipalities around New Jersey make public safety a priority, the State must do its part to supplement these efforts universally."

BUONO BILL TO CRACK DOWN ON VIOLATORS OF MEGAN'S LAW PASSES COMMITTEE

TRENTON - Violating the address registration provisions in Megan's Law will soon lead to stricter penalties under a bill sponsored by Senator Barbara Buono and approved by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee unanimously today.

"We need to continuously work to make Megan's Law the strongest it can be so that every community is best equipped to maintain the safety of its residents," said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. "As municipalities around New Jersey make public safety a priority, the State must do its part to supplement these efforts universally."

BUONO BILL TO ENHANCE PUBLIC NOTICE OF PENDING DEVELOPMENT ADVANCES

TRENTON - A bill sponsored by Senator Barbara Buono which would allow municipalities to post signs marking where development is planned to take place on a property and increase the notice requirements from 200 feet to 300 feet from a proposed development was approved by the Senate today.

"Residents in Edison and other municipalities have complained that current notification laws don't reach out to a large enough area," said Senator Buono, D-Middlesex. "Especially in our more densely populated communities, the impact of new development can be felt by those living more than 200 feet away."

SARLO / BUONO BILL TO GIVE POLICE TOOLS TO TRACK CRIMINALS ON INTERNET

Expanding Info Provided to Police Will Better Identify E-Criminals

TRENTON - A bill sponsored by Senators Paul A. Sarlo and Barbara Buono which would require Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to disclose certain identifying information to law enforcement agencies investigating a crime was approved by the Senate yesterday by a vote of 38-0, receiving final legislative approval.

"Unscrupulous individuals are turning to Internet crime, because it's become very hard to track down the criminals' identities," said Senator Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic. "We want to respect the privacy of citizens, but at the same time, we cannot give criminals a loophole large enough to drive a truck through. By asking ISPs to cooperate with police officers to investigate wrong-doing, we are finding the middle ground between a legitimate law enforcement need and the freedoms of law-abiding citizens."

SARLO / BUONO BILL TO GIVE POLICE TOOLS TO TRACK CRIMINALS ON INTERNET

Expanding Info Provided to Police Will Better Identify E-Criminals

A bill sponsored by Senators Paul A. Sarlo and Barbara Buono which would require Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to disclose certain identifying information to law enforcement agencies investigating a crime was approved by the Senate Law, Public Safety and Veterans' Affairs Committee today by a vote of
4-0.

"Unfortunately, e-crime has become a sign of the times, but all too often, prosecutors are put at a disadvantage because of the inherent anonymity of the Internet," said Senator Sarlo, D-Bergen, Essex and Passaic. "Under this bill, law enforcement officers would have at their disposal detailed identifying and usage information to press the case against those using the Internet to perpetrate fraud or worse."