January 30, 2012
Contact: Brad Schnure / (609) 292-5199
Senator Christopher Bateman
Legislation Lowers Fines for Failing to Produce License or Registration from $150 to $25
The Senate Transportation Committee has approved legislation (S-73) sponsored by Senator Kip Bateman (R-16) that would greatly reduce the fine for failing to produce a driver’s license or vehicle registration during a traffic stop. Under the legislation, the fine for failing to produce those documents would be reduced from $150 to $25 if the police officer conducting the stop can verify by electronic means that those documents have been issued to the person and are valid on the date of the charge.
“Everyone who drives has at some point left their wallet or purse with their driver’s license at home, or forgotten to put the new registration card they received in the mail into their glove compartment,” said Bateman. “Charging a busy mother a $150 fine because she forgot her purse while rushing to pick up her kids from soccer practice doesn’t make sense. Considering that virtually all patrol cars used by police now have computers that are linked to MVC databases, it’s easy enough to verify if a stopped driver is licensed and if their car is registered.”
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January 30, 2012
Contact: Brad Schnure / (609) 292-5199
Senator Christopher Bateman
Senator Kip Bateman (R-16) issued the following statement regarding the announcement that Tom Considine will be leaving his post as Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance:
“In his role as Commissioner over the past two years, Tom has been a key player in the efforts of Governor Christie and Republicans in the Legislature to create jobs and make New Jersey a better and safer place to do business.
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January 24, 2012
Contact: Adam Bauer / (609) 292-5199
Senator Christopher Bateman
Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman (R-Somerset/Hunterdon/Mercer/Middlesex), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today called for same sex marriage to be decided by the voters of New Jersey.
In addressing the Committee during its consideration of S-1, the “Marriage Equality and Religious Exemption Act”, Bateman said that he was willing to work with supporters and opponents alike to craft an unbiased and fair question on the issue in the form of either a Constitutional Amendment or statute enabled by referendum.
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January 20, 2012
Contact: Adam Bauer / (609) 292-5199
Senator Christopher Bateman
Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman (R- Somerset/Hunterdon/Middlesex/Mercer) has resubmitted legislation intended to promote volunteer community service in New Jersey’s public high schools.
The bill, S-76, would require public schools to provide an annual, in-school community service opportunity for students in grades 9-12. The proposal is one Bateman first submitted to the legislature in 2007.
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January 12, 2012
Contact: Adam Bauer / (609) 292-5199
Senator Christopher Bateman
During Hurricane Irene, many residents in the 16th Legislative District, which covers parts of Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset counties, were forced to abandon their homes due to flooding. In the Borough of Manville alone, hundreds of homeowners were forced to leave their homes, many of whom have not as yet been able to return. For too many residents, this was the not first time. In fact, for many residents, it was the fourth time in the past 11 years they were forced to abandon their homes due to flooding.
Senator Kip Bateman and Assemblyman Jack M. Ciattarelli, R-Somerset, today said they were very pleased that Gov. Chris Christie signed legislation earlier this week that allows local officials to now use open space funds to purchase flood prone land.
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January 10, 2012
Contact: Adam Bauer / (609) 292-5199
Senator Christopher Bateman
Senator Kip Bateman and Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, both R-Somerset, Hunterdon, Mercer and Middlesex, issued the following statement on the passing of Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce:
Senator Bateman:
“Alex DeCroce was a dear friend and long time colleague who I will truly miss. The State House just won’t be the same without him, and the State of New Jersey is poorer for losing him. My sincerest condolences and prayers go to Betty Lou and the DeCroce family.”
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January 5, 2012
Contact: Brad Schnure / (609) 292-5199
Senator Christopher Bateman
Senator Kip Bateman (R-16) praised the Senate Judiciary Committee for approving the nomination of Jeff Chiesa to be New Jersey’s Attorney General. Bateman, a member of the Judiciary Committee, said that Chiesa has the character and experience to serve in the state’s top law enforcement post.
“Governor Christie was known as a corruption buster in his service as U.S. Attorney, so it’s no surprise he would appoint someone like Jeff who shares his dedication and work ethic to take on that challenge as our state’s Attorney General,” said Bateman. “As Attorney General, I have no doubt in my mind that Jeff Chiesa will be persistent, effective and fair, and he’ll do much to make New Jersey a safer place to live.”
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Senators Joe Kyrillos, Kip Bateman, and Kevin O’Toole today attempted to provide tax relief to New Jersey residents by forcing votes on long-stalled legislation eliminating payments for unused sick leave for public employees, providing voters the opportunity to opt their community out of civil service rules, and implement accountability in the state’s numerous independent authorities and commissions.
Rebuffed by their colleagues, the Senators issued the following statements condemning the Majority’s reluctance to consider legislation that would save taxpayer dollars:
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December 12, 2011
Contact: Bill Murray / (609) 292-5199
Senator Christopher Bateman
Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement regarding the nomination of Jeffery Chiesa to be the next state Attorney General:
“Jeffery Chiesa is eminently qualified to be the next Attorney General of the state of New Jersey. He has proven himself both in private practice and the public sector, most notably as a federal prosecutor and Governor’s Counsel.
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November 30, 2011
Contact: Bill Murray / (609) 292-5199
Senator Christopher Bateman
Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman, a member of both the Senate Judiciary and Law & Public Safety committees, announced he will introduce legislation tomorrow to require witnesses of child sexual abuse to notify law enforcement officials. The bill is a direct response to the Penn State and Syracuse University cases. A copy of the legislation is attached.
“In both cases, adults knew that the abuse was occurring yet they failed in their moral duty to take the appropriate steps to end the abuse,” Bateman stated. “When my bill passes witnesses will no longer have that decision. They will be required to notify law enforcement authorities of these obscene violations.”
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