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When the state Legislature's lameduck session begins Monday six Senate committees will meet to discuss issues ranging from strengthening New Jersey's drunk driving laws, to school choice, to streamlining the property tax reassessment process in New Jersey, to posting nutritional information of food available in chain restaurants.

The Senate Law and Public Safety and Veterans' Affairs Committee will meet to consider a package of bills sponsored by Senate President Richard J. Codey (D-Essex) that would crack down on motorists repeatedly caught driving under the influence or driving with a suspended license. The bills would also impose stiff new penalties on those caught lending their vehicle to someone with a suspended or revoked license, in an effort to deter those who enable repeat offenders.

The Senate Education Committee will meet to discuss a bill sponsored by the Sen. Shirley K. Turner (D-Mercer), the panel's chairwoman, which would establish a permanent "Interdistrict Public School Choice Program." The program, which is modeled on a five-year pilot program established in 2000, would permit local and regional school districts to opt to become "choice" districts, and establish agreements with sending districts to allow students from the sending district to transfer in.

The Senate Labor Committee will hear about the impact of the economic recession on New Jersey workers. The panel will hear from state Labor Commissioner David Socolow, and will review the effectiveness of state, federal and local programs to assist workers and their families, including job training and unemployment insurance.

The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee will consider a bill sponsored by Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen) to streamline the property tax reassessment process. The bill is designed to create an easier, simpler and quicker system for local tax assessors to reassess a homeowner's property value. At a time when property values are low, Sarlo hopes this measure will allow hard-hit taxpayers to realize some measure of property tax relief.

The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee will review a number of initiatives, including a proposal sponsored by Senators Bob Gordon and Loretta Weinberg (both D-Bergen), which would create a reporting system whenever a vulnerable adult is suspected of being abused, neglected or exploited. Another bill, sponsored by Sen. Joseph F. Vitale (D-Middlesex), the panel chairman, and Sen. Turner which would require chain restaurants to provide certain nutritional information for food and beverage items they offer for sale.

In addition to the Senate hearings, the full upper house will convene at noon in order to swear in Senators Jim Beach (D-Camden) and Michael Doherty (R-Warren). The two won special elections to fill out the remainder of the Senate term.

— TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM