52:27BBB-23 Approval, veto of ordinance, resolution.

23. a. (1) (a) During the rehabilitation term, within three business days following each meeting of the governing body, a copy of each ordinance and resolution which has been adopted by the governing body shall be forwarded to the chief operating officer or mayor, as the case may be, who shall have 10 days from the receipt thereof to veto the ordinance or resolution, as the case may be. Any veto action by the chief operating officer or mayor shall be submitted to the governing body within 10 days of the veto. Within five business days thereafter, the governing body may override the veto by a two-thirds vote of the fully authorized membership thereof.

(b) If, in the opinion of the chief operating officer, the action is contrary to the rehabilitation or economic recovery goals which justified the rehabilitation declaration, the chief operating officer can submit the action to the special arbitrator, who shall allow the action only upon a finding that the action is consistent with the rehabilitation and economic recovery of the qualified municipality. The decision of the special arbitrator shall not be subject to appeal.

(2) During the economic recovery term, in addition to the normal procedures for adopting resolutions and ordinances set forth in the form of government of the qualified municipality, within three business days following each meeting of the governing body, a copy of each ordinance and resolution which has been adopted by the governing body shall be forwarded to the Commissioner of Community Affairs, who shall have 10 days from the receipt thereof to veto the ordinance or resolution, as the case may be. Any veto action by the commissioner shall be submitted to the governing body within 10 days of the veto. Within five business days thereafter, the governing body may override the veto by a two-thirds vote of the fully authorized membership thereof. The action by the commissioner regarding an ordinance pursuant to this paragraph shall supersede any action by the mayor on that same ordinance.

b. The chief operating officer shall have full access to all municipal records and to municipal information from all officials and employees of the municipality. If the chief operating officer believes that an official or employee of the municipality is not answering the questions of the chief operating officer accurately or completely or is not furnishing information requested by the chief operating officer, the chief operating officer may notify the official or employee in writing to furnish answers to questions or to furnish documents or records, or both. If the official or employee refuses, the chief operating officer may seek a subpoena in the Superior Court, in a summary manner, to compel testimony and furnish records and documents.

L.2002, c.43, s.23; amended 2009, c.337, s.6.