Judge accelerates hearing for statehouse commission policy on vaccination proof

A state appellate court judge today set a court date for the State Capitol Joint Management Commission’s requirement that lawmakers and visitors must show proof of vaccination or a recent negative Covid test before entering the statehouse complex, giving incoming Republican minority leaders Steve Oroho and John DiMaio a temporary legal victory.

But the issue might be moot now that Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin have set their own rules that mirror the commission’s actions last month.

Judge Allison Accurso has set a hearing for December 13, accelerating the legal challenge.  Accurso said in her order that acting Attorney General Andrew Brick will represent the commission.

Former Republican State Chairman Michael Lavery filed an appeal on Wednesday evening on behalf of Oroho and DiMaio.

The ruling came after the Assembly ended their session, which was delayed as Republican lawmakers opposed the vaccination proof policy and the New Jersey State Police refused to enforce the commission’s order despite a written pledge by Bruck that they would.