With Murphy out of state and Oliver under medical care, Scutari is NJ's acting governor

Katie Sobko, NorthJersey.com
Updated ·2 min read
1
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

While New Jersey residents may well be aware of the federal line of succession, some may be undertaking a civics lesson Monday as state Senate President Nick Scutari assumes the role of acting governor for New Jersey.

What does the change mean?

Gov. Phil Murphy is out of state for personal reasons. Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who normally serves as acting governor in Murphy's absence, is “currently receiving medical care at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston and is unable to discharge the duties of acting governor at this time," Murphy administration Communications Director Mahen Gunaratna announced.

Senate President Nicholas P. Scutari speaks on behalf of Michael Noriega of Fanwood, potential associate justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, as Noriega is interviewed by the Senate Judiciary Committee in the State House Annex in Trenton, NJ Monday June 26, 2023.
Senate President Nicholas P. Scutari speaks on behalf of Michael Noriega of Fanwood, potential associate justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, as Noriega is interviewed by the Senate Judiciary Committee in the State House Annex in Trenton, NJ Monday June 26, 2023.

“Pursuant to Article V, Section I, paragraph 7 of the New Jersey Constitution, Senate President Scutari has assumed the duties of acting governor effective this morning,” Gunaratna said. “We wish the lieutenant governor well as she undergoes medical care. We will provide updates to the situation as they arise."

Charlie Stile: NJ ELEC just tossed 107 cases. What did we expect from 'reform'?

More from Trenton: This is who can qualify for NJ ANCHOR rebates in 2024

What does the acting governor do?

An acting governor has the ability to implement executive orders and sign legislation, something Scutari has done while filling the role in the past.

In December 2022, Scutari, serving as acting governor, signed into law a joint resolution urging Congress to include in the then-proposed “Build Back Better” legislation funding to expand rental assistance programs, and to build, repair and preserve affordable homes and provide greater assistance to people in need of housing.

He also signed into law legislation clarifying that raw honey that has not been processed, infused, pasteurized, or otherwise modified or combined with any other food product would not be deemed  a “cottage food product.”

While in charge in June 2022, Scutari signed an executive order declaring the first Saturday in June National Trails Day in the state, as well as a law to regulate pedicabs and permit the consumption of alcoholic beverages in pedicabs.

Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: sobko@northjersey.com

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Nicholas Scutari named acting NJ governor in absence of Murphy, Oliver