Legislature OKs BPU bill for written orders

The Legislature has approved a bill requiring the state Board of Public Utilities to issue all its orders in written form and post them on the Internet.

Written orders must be allowed to be issued within 14 days of oral orders in the case of an emergency that affects public health and safety, according to the bill.

BPU orders that are issued orally, but aren't issued in written form within 14 days, will become null and void under the bill. It was approved by the state Senate 37-0 on March 21 and by the Assembly 78-0 on Jan. 10.

"This is a sensible bill that will go a long way toward making our state more business friendly," said Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-West Deptford), a bill sponsor.

In other action, the Legislature approved a new version of a bill barring employers from announcing that unemployed people can't apply for a vacancy. Gov. Chris Christie conditionally vetoed an earlier version of the bill; the new version reduces the penalties for violators. - Andrew Kitchenman