App.A:9-65 Findings, declarations relative to domestic security preparedness.

2. The Legislature finds and declares:

a. The events of September 11, 2001 have refocused attention on the importance of domestic preparedness for any terrorist attack, and the utility of maintaining a select task force, comprised of representatives of State government, local emergency management and law enforcement officials, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and relief organizations, for developing a coordinated plan of action to prepare for, respond to, and recover from, incidents of terrorism;

b. Because the targets of terrorist activities may not be limited to the public sector, the State also must review the preparedness of the private sector to ensure its readiness and to foster cooperation and coordination between the public and private sectors in assessing risks and developing and implementing preparedness, response and recovery strategies; and

c. It is, therefore, altogether fitting and proper, and within the public interest, to reinforce and expand the State's existing anti-terrorism efforts by integrating and enhancing intelligence gathering and preparedness efforts throughout State and local government and the private sector in New Jersey by establishing a New Jersey Domestic Security Preparedness Task Force in, but not of, the Department of Law and Public Safety, in order to maximize, enhance and effectuate coordination of the disaster preparedness and recovery resources provided through the Office of Emergency Management in the Division of State Police, the New Jersey National Guard and county and local emergency management organizations.

L.2001,c.246,s.2.