TRENTON – The front office and legislative leadership continued to quarrel this afternoon as allies of Governor Phil Murphy reached out to lawmakers seeking their commitments to rework Senate Bill No. 5,  which transfers management of the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS) from the Division of Pensions and Benefits in the Department of the Treasury to the Board of Trustees of the PFRS.

Sources told InsiderNJ that Team Murphy is not a place where they back the bill right now, and made it clear to Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-3) and Speaker Craig Coughlin (D-19) exactly which provisions they oppose.

The front office wants some amendment alternatives entertained.

But “Mostly they are offended that we are not holding the bill,” said one Trenton source, noting that Murphy allies are more aggressively calling into the Senate but also making a few Assembly calls.

At this time, however, the bill appears positioned to go through both houses.

Police Benevolent Association Prez Pat Colligan could be seen roaming the floor of the Assembly in the lead up to today’s session.

He wants the bill.

“We are expecting the legislature to approve,” Colligan told InsiderNJ. “Not sure what there is for the Governor to oppose.”

As amended, the legislation transfers management of the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS) from the Division of Pensions and Benefits in the Department of the Treasury to the Board of Trustees of the PFRS.

According to the Office of Legislative Services, the bill changes the membership of the Board of Trustees of the PFRS from 11 to 12 members. Seven trustees must be present at any meeting of the board for the transaction of its business. A member of the Board of Trustees of the PFRS may be removed if the member has more than three unexcused absences from the board’s meetings in any calendar year. A member may also participate in meetings of the board by teleconference.

“Under the bill, the board will consist of three active policemen and three active firemen. The active members of the system will elect one active policeman and one active fireman. The remaining active policemen and firemen will be appointed by the heads of four unions representing policemen and firemen in the State. In addition, the board will contain one retiree elected by retirees in the PFRS.”