52:9HH-2. Commission's review and recommendation of legislation

2. a. It shall be the duty of the commission to review any bill, joint resolution or concurrent resolution introduced in either House of the Legislature which establishes or modifies pension benefits or health benefits for public employees in this State. Such a review shall include, but not be limited to, an analysis of the bill's or resolution's fiscal impact on the retirement system and on the public employer, any comments upon or recommendations concerning the legislation, and any alternatives to the legislation which the commission may wish to suggest.

b. Not later than the 20th day after the date of introduction of any bill or resolution in either House of the Legislature, the Legislative Budget and Finance Officer shall review it in order to determine whether the bill or resolution constitutes pension or health benefits legislation. If, on the basis of that review, the Legislative Budget and Finance Officer determines that the bill or resolution constitutes such legislation, that officer shall promptly give written notice of that determination to the commission, the presiding officer of the House in which the bill or resolution was introduced and the chairman of the standing reference committee of that House to which the bill or resolution may have been referred. Not later than the 45th day after the date of introduction of any bill or resolution in either House of the Legislature which the Legislative Budget and Finance Officer has determined constitutes pension or health benefits legislation, the commission shall complete its review and provide its comments and recommendations in writing to the presiding officer of the House in which the bill or resolution was introduced and to the chairman of the standing reference committee of that House to which the bill or resolution may have been referred. If the commission requests an extension prior to the 45th day after the date of introduction of a bill or resolution, the presiding officer of the House in which the bill or resolution was introduced may grant an extension for the commission to complete its review of the bill or resolution. The House or committee shall not consider or vote upon the bill or resolution until either the commission completes its review and provides its comments and recommendations in writing to the presiding officer and the chairman, or the 45th day after the date of introduction of the bill or resolution, or the designated day in the case of an extension. If the presiding officer of the House in which the bill or resolution was introduced determines that the bill or resolution is an urgent matter, he shall so notify in writing the commission and the chairman of the standing reference committee to which the bill or resolution may have been referred, and the House or committee may consider and vote upon the bill or resolution as soon as practicable.

L.1991,c.382,s.2.