(Office of the Governor)
NEW JERSEY – Gov. Phil Murphy vetoed three bills on Tuesday while signing 11 into law, approving legislation that would require water customers to be notified about possible elevated lead levels. He also sent legislation back that was intended to promote American-made products and, lawmakers said, boost the state’s economy.
Murphy signed legislation (S968/A2836) that will require public water systems to provide notice of elevated lead levels in drinking water to customers and local officials and require landlords to notify tenants of elevated lead levels.
“We must continue to take proactive action to protect our communities from the dangers of lead exposure,” said Murphy. “This legislation will ensure that community members are aware of the levels of lead in their drinking water, a critical step toward protecting our children and families from the dangers of lead exposure.”
The bill requires that written notice of elevated lead levels in drinking water be provided to all customers no later than 10 days after it is determined that lead levels are above the lead action level.
That notice must also include details of the lead action level, provide information on the health effects of lead in drinking water, and provide information about steps a customer can take to reduce risk. Landlords will be required to deliver the notice to all tenants served by the water system within three days of receiving the notice from the public water system.
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Murphy also vetoed legislation called the “New Jersey Buy American Act,” which would require all state contracts over $1 million in value for the construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, maintenance or improvement of highways or bridges to contain a provision that any iron or steel products be made in in the United States.
“Requiring the purchase of American-made goods for public contracts is a matter of good economic sense,” said Senate President Steve Sweeney. “I believe that we have an obligation to use public funds in ways that help our workers and businesses. This is part of a national movement in support of American jobs that will help revitalize infrastructure across the state and bolster the strength of our manufacturing industries.”
Murphy said he applauds the sponsors of the legislation for exploring ways to ensure that the state is investing its taxpayer dollars in American businesses, including small businesses.
“Supporting American companies is particularly important as we emerge from the hardships wrought by the coronavirus disease,” Murphy said. “Using domestic goods and materials spurs the creation of well-paid, union jobs and increases investments in the manufacturing industry and workforce, which will aid our efforts to build a stronger and fairer economy.”
Murphy, however, said he’s concerned that some of the bill’s requirements could inadvertently jeopardize federal funding for bridge and highway projects and cause the state to incur additional costs for those projects.
“Consequently, I am recommending minor changes to the bill to ensure that DOT has maximum flexibility to secure federal funding for bridge and highway projects ,” he said.
