Clarifies investigatory powers and duties of SCI.

S4609

SENATE, No. 4609

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED JUNE 30, 2026

Sponsored by:

Senator� NICHOLAS P. SCUTARI

District 22 (Somerset and Union)

SYNOPSIS

���� Clarifies investigatory powers and duties of SCI.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

An Act
clarifying the investigatory powers and duties of the
State Commission of Investigation, amending P.L.1979, c.254, and amending and
supplementing P.L.1968, c.266.

����
Be It
Enacted
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� (New section) The
Legislature finds and declares that:

���� a.���� The State Commission of
Investigation is the one independent oversight entity within State government
authorized to, among other responsibilities, investigate misconduct by public
officers and employees, review the performance of government programs and agencies,
provide accountability and transparency, promote the efficiency and integrity
of government operations, and identify cost savings.

���� b.��� The State Commission of
Investigation has, for decades, enjoyed robust investigative resources and a
long history of using them for the benefit of the public.� It is staffed with
seasoned investigators, experienced in matters involving public corruption and
waste of taxpayer dollars, as well as fraud and organized crime.� Its success
in these and other areas contributed to the Legislature establishing the State
Commission of Investigation as a permanent entity in 2002.

���� c.���� The State Commission of
Investigation is uniquely designed to include both gubernatorial and
legislative appointments to ensure independence, political balance, and
continuity.� It operates as an independent, investigative, fact-finding agency
and has used its resources effectively.

���� d.��� This act reaffirms the commission�s
role as the State�s independent oversight body and provides that other
investigative oversight entities at the State, county, and local levels,
including the Office of the State Comptroller, shall collaborate with the
commission, when appropriate, in the discharge of its statutory duties.

���� 2.��� Section 1 of P.L.1968,
c.266 (C.52:9M-1) is amended to read as follows:

���� 1.��� There is hereby created
a permanent State Commission of Investigation.� The commission shall consist of
four members, to be known as commissioners.

���� Two members of the commission
shall be appointed by the Governor.� One each shall be appointed by the
President of the Senate and by the Speaker of the General Assembly.� Each
member shall serve for a term of four years and until the appointment and
qualification of
[
his
]

the
respective member�s
successor.�
[
No
person shall serve, in succession, more than two four-year terms and any
portion of an unexpired term as a member of the commission.
]
� The Governor

shall
designate one of the members to serve as
[
chairman
]

chairperson

of the commission.

���� The members of the commission
[
appointed by
the President of the Senate and

the Speaker of the General Assembly and at least one of the members
appointed by the Governor
]

shall be attorneys admitted to the bar of this State.� No member or employee of
the commission shall hold any other public office or public employment.� No
member of the commission shall have held any elective office or have been a
candidate for any elective office within the one year preceding
[
his
]

the
member�s
appointment to the commission.� No member of the
[
commisson
]

commission

shall hold any elective office or be a candidate for any elective office within
the one year subsequent to
[
his
]

the
member�s
termination of service as a member of the commission.� Not more
than two of the members shall belong to the same political party.

���� Each member of the commission
shall receive an annual salary of
[
$35,000
]

$65,000
.�
Each member shall also be entitled to reimbursement for
[
his
]
expenses
actually and necessarily incurred in the performance of
[
his
]

commission

duties, including expenses of travel outside of the State.

���� Vacancies on the commission
shall be filled for the unexpired terms in the same manner as original
appointments.� Vacancies on the commission shall be filled by the appropriate
appointing authority within 120 days.� If the appropriate appointing authority
does not fill a vacancy within that time period, the vacancy shall be filled by
the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court within 60 days.� A vacancy on the
commission shall not impair the right of the remaining members to exercise all
the powers of the commission.

���� Any determination made by the
commission shall be by majority vote. �Majority vote� means the affirmative
vote of at least three members of the commission if there are no vacancies on
the commission or the affirmative vote of at least two members of the commission
if there is a vacancy.

(cf: P.L.2005, c.58, s.1)

���� 3.��� Section 2 of P.L.1968,
c.266 (C.52:9M-2) is amended to read as follows:

����
2.
� The commission
shall have the duty and power to conduct investigations in connection with:

���� a.� The faithful execution and
effective enforcement of the laws of the State, with particular reference but
not limited to organized crime and racketeering;

���� b.� The conduct of public
officers and public employees, and of officers and employees of public
corporations and authorities
, including, but not limited to, investigating
fraud, waste, and abuse of taxpayer funds
;

���� c.
Allegations concerning
the misconduct of any civil or criminal enforcement personnel at all levels of
State and local government, including, but not limited to, those involving a
State or county prosecutor or any member of a prosecution team, including
detectives; however, the commission shall not exercise its powers in a way that
interferes with an ongoing civil or criminal investigation or prosecution; and

����
d.
� Any
other

matter concerning the public peace, public safety
,
and public justice
,
and as otherwise provided in P.L.1968, c.266 (C.52:9M-1 et seq.).

(cf: P.L.1968, c.266, s.2)

���� 4.��� (New section)� The
commission shall conduct investigations in accordance with prevailing national
and professional standards, rules, and practices concerning investigations
conducted in governmental environments.� The commission shall provide and
publicize a process for complaints and requests for investigations to be
submitted confidentially to the commission by members of the general public and
government employees.

���� 5.��� Section 4 of P.L.1968,
c.266 (C.52:9M-4) is amended to read as follows:

����
4.
��� At the direction
or request of
either House of
the Legislature by
[
concurrent
]
resolution
of
that House
or of the Governor or of the head of any department, board,
bureau, commission, authority
,
or other agency created by the State, or
to which the State is a party, the commission shall investigate the management
or affairs of any such department, board, bureau, commission, authority
,

or other agency
[
;�
provided, however, that if
]

. In the event
the commission determines that
[
the requests for investigations�
from the Legislature, the Governor or the head of any department, board,
bureau, commission, authority or other agency created by the State or to which
the State is a party,
]

any such investigatory request would
exceed the commission's capacity to
perform such investigations,
[
they
]

the
commission
may
[
,
by resolution,
]

ask the Governor
[
or
the Attorney General
]

or the Legislature
[
in
the case of a legislative request, to review those requests upon which it finds
itself unable to proceed
]

to provide additional resources
.

(cf: P.L.1979, c.254, s.4)

���� 6.��� Section 5 of P.L.1968,
c.266 (C.52:9M-5) is amended to read as follows:

����
5.
��� Upon request of
the Attorney General, a county prosecutor
,
or any
[
other
]

State or
local
law enforcement official, the commission shall
[
co-operate
]

cooperate

with, advise
,
and assist them in the performance of their official
powers and duties.

(cf: P.L.1968, c.266, s.5)

���� 7.��� (New section)� The
commission shall meet at periodic intervals, but no less than twice annually,
with other State oversight entities, including the Office of the Attorney
General, the Election Law Enforcement Commission, the Office of the State
Comptroller, and any other public officers or employees or their designees, who
perform audits, investigations, and performance reviews similar or identical to
those authorized to be performed by the commission for the purpose of
consulting and coordinating with those officers and employees in the conduct of
audits, investigations, and reviews.� The Office of the Attorney General, the
Election Law Enforcement Commission chairperson, and other public officers or
employees shall attend the meetings for the purpose of their consultation and coordination
with the commission.� Nothing in this section shall be construed to require the
disclosure of any information that would jeopardize the conduct of any
investigation or prosecution of any civil or criminal matter pending with any
State oversight entity.

���� 8.��� Section 8 of P.L.1968,
c.266 (C.52:9M-8) is amended to read as follows:

���� 8. a.� Except as provided in
subsection c. of this section, whenever
during the course of an
investigation,
the commission or any employee of the commission obtains
[
any
]

sufficient

information or evidence of a reasonable possibility of
[
criminal
or
civil
wrongdoing
]

a potential violation of the laws of this State
, the commission shall
[
immediately
]

, at an appropriate
time during the course of that investigation,
refer such information or
evidence to the Attorney General
or, if appropriate, another prosecutorial
or investigatory authority.

���� b.� Except as provided in
subsection c. of this section, whenever the commission or any employee of the
commission obtains information or evidence of cause for the removal or
discipline of a public official or public employee, the commission shall, as soon
as practicable, refer such information or evidence to the Attorney General
unless the� commission shall, by majority vote, determine that special
circumstances exist which require the delay in transmittal of the information
or evidence.

���� c.� Whenever the commission or
any employee of the commission obtains any information or evidence of criminal
wrongdoing or misconduct on the part of the Attorney General, the commission
shall immediately refer such information or evidence to the Governor, the
Senate President and the Speaker of the General Assembly for further direction
to the commission pursuant to section 3 of P.L. 1968, c.266 (C.52:9M-3) or for
any other action authorized by the laws of this State or of the United States.

���� d.� Whenever the commission or
any employee of the commission obtains any information or evidence indicating a
reasonable possibility of an unauthorized disclosure of information or a
violation of any provision of P.L. 1968, c.266 (C.52:9M-1 et seq.), the
commission shall immediately refer such information to the Attorney General.

����
e.���� Whenever a criminal
referral is made against a prosecutor, the commission may notify the Office of
Attorney Ethics. �Whenever a criminal referral is made against a detective who
is part of a prosecution team, the commission may notify the Attorney General
or the county prosecutor, as appropriate.

(cf: P.L.1996, c.44, s.1)

���� 9.��� Section 9 of P.L.1968,
c.266 (C.52:9M-9) is amended to read as follows:

���� 9.���
[
The
]

To manage
day-to-day operations, the
commission shall be authorized to appoint and
employ and at pleasure remove
[
an
executive director, counsel, investigators, accountants, and such other persons
as it may deem necessary
]
,

a qualified individual with the title of State Inspector General, who shall
also act as the commission�s executive director.� Employees of the commission,
including the State Inspector General, shall be hired at will and
without
regard to civil service
[
;
and to
]

.� The commission shall
determine their duties and fix their salaries or
compensation within the amounts appropriated therefor.� All commission
personnel shall be deemed confidential employees for purposes of the "New
Jersey Employer-Employee Relations Act," P.L.1941, c.100 (C.34:13A-1 et
seq.).�
[
Investigators
and accountants appointed by the commission shall be and have all the powers of
peace officers
]

The State Inspector General shall be responsible for acting as the lead
investigator for the commission, supervising all investigations the commission
undertakes in connection with its responsibilities, carrying out the day-to-day
operations of the commission, and otherwise ensuring the commission is
discharging its duties and powers pursuant to sections 2 and 5 of P.L.1968,
c.266 (C.52:9M-2 and C.52:9M-5)
.

(cf: P.L.1999, c.8, s.1)

���� 10.� Section 12 of P.L.1968,
c.266 (C.52:9M-12) is amended to read as follows:

���� 12.� With respect to the
performance of its functions, duties and powers and subject to the limitation
contained in paragraph d. of this section, the commission shall be authorized
as follows:�

���� a.� To conduct any
investigation authorized by this act at any place within the State; and to
maintain offices, hold meetings and function at any place within the State as
it may deem necessary;�

���� b.� To conduct private and
public hearings, and to designate a member of the commission to preside over
any such hearing; no public hearing shall be held except after adoption of a
resolution by majority vote, and no public hearing shall be held by the commission
until after the Attorney General and the appropriate county prosecutor or
prosecutors shall have been given at least seven days' written notice of the
commission's intention to hold such a public hearing and afforded an
opportunity to be heard in respect to any objections they or either of them may
have to the commission's holding such a hearing;�

���� c.� To administer oaths or
affirmations,
[
subpena
]

subpoena

witnesses, compel their attendance, examine them under oath or affirmation, and
require the production of any books, records, documents or other evidence it
may deem relevant or material to an investigation; and the commission may
designate any of its members or any member of its staff to exercise any such
powers;�

���� d.� Unless otherwise
instructed by a resolution adopted by a majority of the members of the
commission, every witness attending before the commission shall be examined
privately and the commission shall not make public the particulars of such
examination. The commission shall not have the power to take testimony at a
private hearing or at a public hearing unless at least two of its members are
present at such hearing, except that the commission shall have the power to
conduct private hearings,
[
on
]

in
connection with
an investigation previously undertaken by a majority of the
members of the commission, with
only
one commissioner present, when so
designated by resolution;�

���� e.� Witnesses summoned to
appear before the commission shall be entitled to receive the same fees and
mileage as persons summoned to testify in the courts of the State.�

���� If any person
[
subpenaed
]

subpoenaed

pursuant to this section shall neglect or refuse to obey the command of the
[
subpena
]

subpoena
,
any judge of the Superior Court or any municipal court may, on proof by
affidavit of service of the
[
subpena
]

subpoena
,
payment or tender of the fees required and of refusal or neglect by the person
to obey the command of the
[
subpena
]

subpoena
,
issue a warrant for the arrest of
[
said
]

the

person to bring
[
him
]

the person

before the judge, who is authorized to proceed against such person as for a
contempt of court.�

(cf: P.L.1991, c.91, s.494)

���� 11.� Section 9 of P.L.1979,
c.254 (C.52:9M-12.1) is amended to read as follows:

���� 9.� a.� No person may be
required to appear at a hearing or to testify at a hearing unless there has
been personally served upon
[
him
]

the person

prior to the time when
[
he
]

the person

is required to appear, a copy of P.L.1968, c.266
,
as amended and
supplemented, and a general statement of the subject of the investigation. A
copy of the resolution, statute, order or other provision of law authorizing
the investigation shall be furnished by the commission upon request therefor by
the person summoned.

���� b.� A witness summoned to a
hearing shall have the right to be accompanied by counsel, who shall be
permitted to advise the witness of
[
his
]

the
witness�s
rights, subject to reasonable limitations to prevent obstruction
of or interference with the orderly conduct of the hearing.� Counsel for any
witness who testifies at a public or private hearing may submit proposed
questions to be asked of the witness relevant to the matters upon which the
witness has been questioned and the commission shall ask the witness such of
the questions as it may deem appropriate to its inquiry.

���� c.� A complete and accurate
record shall be kept of each public hearing and a witness shall be entitled to
receive a copy of
[
his
]

the
witness�s
testimony at such hearing at
[
his
]

the
witness�s
own expense.� Where testimony which a witness has given at a
private hearing becomes relevant in a criminal proceeding in which the witness
is a defendant, or in any subsequent hearing in which the witness is summoned
to testify, the witness shall be entitled to a copy of such testimony, at
[
his
]

the
witness�s
own expense, provided the same is available, and provided further
that the furnishing of such copy will not prejudice the public safety or
security.

���� d.� A witness who testifies at
any hearing shall have the right at the conclusion of
[
his
]

the
witness�s
examination to file a brief sworn statement relevant to
[
his
]

the
witness�s
testimony for incorporation in the record.

���� e.� The commission shall make
a good faith effort to notify any person whose name the commission believes
will be mentioned in a potentially adverse context at a public hearing.� Any
person whose name is mentioned or will be mentioned or who is specifically
identified and who believes that testimony or other evidence given at a public
hearing or comment made by any member of the commission or its counsel at such
a hearing tends to defame
[
him
]

the person

or otherwise adversely affect
[
his
]

the
person�s
reputation shall have the right, either in private or in public or
both at a reasonably convenient time to be set by the commission, to appear
personally before the commission, and testify
[
in
his
]

on
the person�s
own behalf as to matters relevant to the testimony or other
evidence complained of, or in the alternative, to file a statement of facts
under oath relating solely to matters relevant to the testimony or other
evidence complained of, which statement shall be incorporated in the record.

���� f.� Nothing in this section
shall be construed to prevent the commission from granting to witnesses
appearing before it, or to persons who claim to be adversely affected by
testimony or other evidence adduced before it, such further rights and
privileges as it may determine.

(cf: P.L.1996, c.44, s.4)

���� 12.� Section 14 of P.L.1968,
c.266 (C.52:9M-14) is amended to read as follows:

����
14. �a.
� The commission
may request and shall receive from every department, division, board, bureau,
commission, authority
,
or other agency created by the State, or to which
the State is a party, or of any political subdivision thereof,
[
co-operation
]

cooperation

and assistance in the performance of its duties.

����
b.��� Whenever a person
places a request with a public agency for a record that has been provided to
the commission during the course of an investigation and that record was open
for public inspection, examination, or copying before the investigation
commenced, the public agency from which the commission obtained the record
shall comply with the request pursuant to P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1.1 et seq.),
provided that the request does not in any way identify the record sought by
means of a reference to the commission�s investigation or to an investigation
by any other public agency, including, but not limited to, a reference to a
subpoena issued pursuant to the investigation. �Requests for records made to
the commission pursuant to this section shall be referred to the agency that
initially provided the records to the commission.

(cf: P.L.1968, c.266, s.14)

���� 13.� Section 15 of P.L.1968,
c.266 (C.52:9M-15) is amended to read as follows:

���� 15.� a.� Any person conducting
or participating in any examination or investigation who
[
shall disclose
]

discloses,

or any person who, coming into possession of or knowledge of the substance of
any examination or investigation,
[
shall
disclose
]

discloses
, or any person who shall cause, encourage or induce a person,
including any witness or informant, to disclose, other than as authorized or
required by law, to any person other than the commission or an officer having
the power to appoint one or more of the commissioners the name of any witness
examined, or any information obtained or given upon such examination or
investigation, except as directed by the Governor
, the Attorney General,

or
the
commission,
[
or
any
]

shall
be guilty of a crime of the third degree.� Any
person
,
other than a
member or employee of the commission or any person entitled to assert a legal
privilege
,
who, coming into possession of or knowledge of the substance
of any pending examination or investigation
[
who
]

,

fails to advise the Attorney General and the commission of such possession or
knowledge and to deliver to the Attorney General and the commission any
documents or materials containing such information, shall be guilty of a
[
misdemeanor
until September 1, 1979 when such person shall be guilty of a
]
crime of the
third degree.�
[
Any
member or employee of the commission who shall violate this section shall be
dismissed from his office or discharged from his employment.
]

���� b.��� Any statement made by a
member of the commission or an employee thereof relevant to any proceedings
before
,
or investigative activities of
,
the commission shall be
absolutely privileged
,
and such privilege shall be a complete defense to
any
libel or slander-related
action
[
for
libel or slander
]
;
provided, however, that nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to grant
immunity for conduct that was outside the scope of
[
his
]

the member or employee�s

employment or constituted a crime, actual fraud, actual malice
,
or
willful misconduct.

���� c.���� Nothing contained in
this section shall in any way prevent the commission from furnishing
information or making reports, as required by this act, or from furnishing
information to the Legislature, or to a standing reference committee thereof,
pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by a standing reference committee or
pursuant to a duly authorized
[
subpena
]

subpoena

or
[
subpena
]

subpoena

duces tecum, provided, however, that nothing herein shall be deemed to preclude
the commission from seeking from a court of competent jurisdiction
an order
to quash a subpoena or
a protective order to avoid compliance with
[
such subpoena
or
]

any
subpoena
duces tecum
or other information request or discovery demand
if, consistent with the applicable precedent of the New Jersey Supreme Court,
the confidentiality of the investigative files being sought is necessary for the
commission�s investigations to proceed unobstructed. �Such files shall be
afforded an equivalent level of secrecy to that of grand jury proceedings
conducted in this State
.

���� d.��� Nothing in P.L.1963,
c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.), as amended and supplemented
[
by P.L.2001,
c.404
]
,
shall be construed to require the commission to disclose any information
acquired or any records created, except as provided by this section.�

����
e.���� Members or employees
of the commission who violate subsections a. of this section shall be dismissed
from their office or discharged from their employment.

(cf: P.L.2005, c.58, s.3)

���� 14.� Section 17 of P.L.1968,
c.266 (C.52:9M-17) is amended to read as follows:

����
17.
� a.� If, in the
course of any investigation or hearing conducted by the commission pursuant to
this act, a person refuses to answer a question or questions or produce
evidence of any kind on the ground that
[
he
]

the person

will be exposed� to criminal prosecution or penalty or to a forfeiture of
[
his
]

the
person�s
estate thereby,� the commission may order the person to answer the
question or questions or� produce the requested evidence and confer immunity as
in this section provided.�� No order to answer or produce evidence with
immunity shall be made except by� majority vote and after the Attorney General,
the United States Attorney for
the District of
New Jersey
,
and
the appropriate county prosecutor shall have been given at least� seven days
written notice of the commission's intention to issue such order and� afforded
an opportunity to be heard in respect to any objections they or
[
either
]

any one

of them may have to the granting of immunity.

���� b.� If upon issuance of such
an order, the person complies therewith,
[
he
]

the person

shall be immune from having such responsive answer given by
[
him
]

the person

or such responsive evidence produced by
[
him
]

the person
,
or evidence derived therefrom used to expose
[
him
]

the person

to criminal prosecution or penalty or to a forfeiture of
[
his
]

the
person�s
estate, except that
[
such
]

the

person may nevertheless be prosecuted for any perjury committed in such answer
or in producing such evidence, or be prosecuted for willful refusal to give an
answer or produce evidence in accordance with an order of the commission
pursuant to section 13
of P.L.1979, c. 254 (C.52:9M-17.1)
or held in
contempt for failing to give an answer or produce evidence in accordance with
the order of the commission pursuant to section
[
11
]

12 of P.L.1968, c.266
(C.52:9M-12)
; and any such answer given or evidence� produced shall be
admissible against
[
him
]

the person

upon any criminal investigation, proceeding or trial against
[
him
]

the person

for such perjury, or upon any investigation, proceeding or trial against
[
him
]

the person

for such contempt or willful refusal to give an answer or produce evidence in
accordance with an order of the commission.

���� c.� If the commission proceeds
against any witness for contempt of court for refusal to answer, subsequent to
a grant of immunity, said witness may be incarcerated at the discretion of the
Superior Court; provided, however, that (1) no incarceration for civil contempt
shall exceed a period of five years of actual incarceration exclusive of
releases for whatever reason; (2) the commission may seek the release of a
witness for good cause on appropriate motion to the Superior Court; and (3)
nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit any of the vested
constitutional rights of any witness before the commission.

(cf: P.L.1984, c.110, s.3)

���� 15.� Section 13 of P.L.1979,
c.254 (C.52:9M-17.1) is amended to read as follows:

����
13.
� a.� Any person who
shall willfully refuse to answer a question or questions or produce evidence
after being ordered to do so by the State Commission of Investigation in
accordance with
[
the
act
]

P.L.1968,
c.266 (C.52:9M-1 et seq.),
to which
[
this
act
]

P.L.1979,
c.254 (C.52:9M-1.1 et al.)
is a supplement
[
P.L.1968, c.266 (C.52:9M-1 et
seq.)
]

,
is guilty of a
[
high misdemeanor until September
1, 1979, when such person shall be guilty of a
]

crime of the second degree.� Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no
person imprisoned pursuant to this section shall be eligible for parole or
reconsideration of sentence except upon a showing that after imposition of the
sentence
[
he
]

the person

testified or furnished the required evidence at a time when the commission's
needs were substantially met.� Action against such person shall ensue upon a
complaint signed by the
[
chairman
]

chairperson

upon resolution of the commission.� Such complaint shall be referred for
prosecution to the Attorney General.

���� b.� The trial of a defendant
for an indictment made pursuant to this act shall be stayed pending the
disposition of any review on appeal of the commission's order to testify and
the indictment shall be dismissed if the order to testify is set aside on appeal
or if, within 30 days after the order to testify is sustained on appeal, the
defendant notifies the commission that
[
he
]

the
defendant
will comply with the order and does so promptly upon being
afforded an opportunity to do so.

���� c.� Any period of
incarceration for contempt of an order of the commission shall be credited
against any period of imprisonment to which a defendant is sentenced pursuant
to subsection a. of this section.

(cf: P.L.1979, c.254, s.13)

���� 16.� (New section)� Nothing in
P.L.1968, c.266 (C.52:9M-1 et seq.) shall be construed to diminish or deprive
the Office of the State Comptroller of the functions, duties, and powers of the
former Office of the Inspector General vested in it pursuant to section 2 of
P.L.2010, c.33 (C.52:15C-21) or to require the Office of the State Comptroller
to transfer any employees of the former office retained by the State
Comptroller pursuant to section 3 of P.L.2010, c.33 (C.52:15C-22) to the State
Commission of Investigation.

���� 17.� This act shall take
effect 90 days after the date of enactment.

STATEMENT

���� This bill clarifies and
reaffirms the broad jurisdiction and investigatory powers and duties of the
State Commission of Investigation (SCI), strengthens cooperation between the
SCI and other State and local oversight entities, and establishes that the
qualified individual hired to manage the day-to-day operations of the
commission will function as a State Inspector General.�

���� Importantly, the bill does not
diminish or deprive the Office of the State Comptroller of any functions,
duties, and powers vested in it, but simply reaffirms the original findings of
the 1968 Special Joint Legislative Committee to Study Crime and the System of
Criminal Justice in New Jersey, also known as the Forsythe Committee that,
given its unique, independent structure, the SCI always was intended to be,
among other things, the State�s watchdog over other oversight entities.� The
bill clarifies that the SCI�s role with respect to other State entities and the
criminal justice system includes investigating allegations concerning the
misconduct of civil or criminal enforcement personnel at various levels of
State and local government.� To do so, the SCI will, among other things,
provide and promote a confidential process for submitting complaints and other
requests for investigations, or both, by the public and government employees.

���� The bill reaffirms that the
SCI can request information, resources, and assistance from any State
department or agency to fulfill its duties and is authorized to collaborate
with other State oversight entities, including the Office of the Attorney
General, the Election Law Enforcement Commission, the Office of the State
Comptroller, and any other public officers or employees in order to fulfill its
responsibilities.

���� The bill requires the SCI and
other State oversight entities to meet at least twice annually to coordinate
efforts, share information, and prevent duplication of work.� This bill
increases the SCI member salary from $35,000 per year to $65,000 per year.