Bob Smith

Medical malpractice lawsuits might be banned for coronavirus treatment in NJ, including possible choices about who gets a ventilator and who doesn't.

Significant legislation that would require food waste to be recycled by places that generate a lot of it has been approved by the Legislature.

Legislation banning plastic bags, paper bags and Styrofoam food containers is approved by the Senate and back to the Assembly, where it stalled two months ago.

The proposal was revised to take effect in 18 months, rather than two years. Last legislative session, it was approved by the Senate but not the Assembly.

The bill would ban single-use carryout bags in two years. Its sponsor says it will be a top priority in the new session with a first hearing on Jan. 30.

After a ban on plastic and paper bags and a bill promoting electric vehicles, environmental groups and lawmakers set ambitious goals for next session.

Even before a new climate change center at Rutgers gets off the ground, its proposed state funding has been shrunk by three-fourths.

Plastic straws would survive, though only available by request. Supermarkets would be required for to give out reusable bags for free for two months.

A Garden State lawmaker wants to aggressively look for new markets and technologies to save taxpayers money.

Legislature will take up lead remediation after the election – but says clear sailing isn't assured for either the plan or the referendum to follow in 2020.