States Assembly - Jersey's elected parliament

The Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel has today been questioning the Minister for the Environment, about the Government’s policies and action on PFAS. The Panel found: · The Minister took a clear political decision to get the PFAS drinking water levels down to 4ng per litre within five years, before the end of his term of office. 4ng is the level that has been recommended by the independent Scientific Advisory Panel looking into PFAS. · There are differences in opinion between the Minister and Jersey Water over what was agreed as the preferred methods to achieve that target. The Minister believes that it is achievable through granular activated carbon and ion exchange at the two existing treatment works at a cost of tens of millions, and without the need for a £210m new water treatment plant. Deputy Luce said that should there be valid challenges with reaching this target, Jersey Water could apply for dispensation from the Minister for the Environment, as they already do with Nitrate levels. · There is a legal obligation for Ports to come up with a plan to deal with the contaminated water in the plume area, and this is expected soon. · The Draft Report from the PFAS Advisory Panel has found outside of the plume area around the airport, the levels of PFAS are low. However, the Minister agreed with recommendations to continue monitoring. · One issue the authorities have in assessing contamination, is that private borehole owners are not legally required to register. There is a recommendation that boreholes should be held to the same standards. The Minister suggested that if rented properties are on borehole water, there should be an amendment to the Rented Dwelling Licence to ensure that this water is meeting the 4ng standard. · There is a reassurance from the Minister and Officers that despite the upcoming change in Government, the monitoring and information services will continue. You can watch the Hearing back on Our website: bit.ly/40y2oms YouTube: bit.ly/4cQdfPV @hilaryjeune @WarrOnWords

On Tuesday 24 March, the States Assembly will meet for Ministers Question time and then go on to debate a number of topics including: •A new law to strengthen Jersey’s approach to animal welfare •Changes which would allow more shops to open on Sundays •The financial support available for Jersey’s agriculture and fishing sectors Read more: bit.ly/3NDqWr7

🤝Meet with your States Members! 📅Discover the dates, times, and locations for next week's Constituency Drop-Ins to discuss the issues that matter to you: bit.ly/4rKL5cX 📨States Members are also available by appointment: bit.ly/4sQ6H8C

A new petition has been launched by a member of the public asking to 'Include ‘unbearable suffering’ in the Assisted Dying (Jersey) Law 202-' Read more or sign here: bit.ly/4thOW2v Petitions with 5,000+ signatures may be considered for debate by the States Assembly, which may lead to a change in the law.

The Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel is holding a Public Hearing into PFAS with the Minister for the Environment, today at 2.30pm. The Panel will be asking the Minister for clarification on: • The recent report from the PFAS Scientific Panel and the Government's response • Drinking water treatment and new regulations • Future risks, environmental monitoring and data quality Watch live or watch back on: Our website: bit.ly/40y2oms YouTube: bit.ly/4cQdfPV @hilaryjeune @AlexCurtisJsy @WarrOnWords

We welcomed 14 colleagues from across Government, into the States Assembly today. It was a chance for them to experience the parliamentary debating Chamber and learn more about the democratic process and how it works. 🗳️ We are pleased to be seeing an increase in interest for our tours as we head towards the election. ✅ 📧 If you want to learn more about how our Island is governed to help inform your voting in June, then get in touch, email: statesgreffe@gov.je

States Members are keen to support Jersey's school councils with their work by sharing their experience, and today Deputy Beatriz Porée visited @HautlieuSchool The Deputy heard about their progress this year and topics such as: diversity, inclusion and communicating change, were discussed.

🏛️ Our afternoon visitors to the States Chamber were Year 5 pupils from @leslandesjersey. 🎒 As well as learning about the importance of the States Assembly and the history of the building, the pupils also took part in their own debate. 🗳️ The proposition, which they chose, was: 'The school and working week should be reduced to 4 days' and they voted: ✔️ Pour - 16 ✖️ Contre - 7 ❓ Abstain - 1 Deputy Andy Howell joined them for the debate.

The first thing you'll see as you enter Jersey's States Chamber is a striking portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Commissioned by the States Assembly to mark Her Majesty's Silver Jubilee, the portrait was painted in 1978 by Norman Hepple, an artist well known for his official portraits of the British Royal Family. The painting was unveiled on 17 March 1979 in the Great Hall at @victoriacollege before later being moved to the States Chamber, where it can still be seen today. 💷 Fun fact: this very portrait was adapted for use on Jersey's banknotes issued in 1989. If you'd like to see it up close, why not join the next Blue Badge guided tour of the States Chamber? 🗓️ Saturday 21 March 2026 🕙 10am - 12pm 🎟️ Tickets: bit.ly/3Pcfa7w

🤔 Do you have any concerns or issues that your elected States Members can help you with? They are here to represent you, both inside and outside the States Chamber. 📲 You can schedule a one-on-one meeting at a time that suits you: bit.ly/490PArU 🗓️ Or join one of the next week's Constituency Drop-In sessions: bit.ly/3BD35lr

🏛️ Our Year 5 visitors to the States Chamber this morning were from Mont Nicolle School. 🎒 The pupils discovered more about the history of the building and work of the States Assembly. They also had the chance to hold a debate on a topic chosen by them. 🗳️ Their proposition was: 'There should be more places and free activities available to young people and teenagers on the Island' and they voted: ✔️ Pour - 14 ✖️ Contre - 7 ❓ Abstain - 2 Connétable Richard Vibert joined them for the debate and answered some great questions from the pupils and teachers.

There is only one Scrutiny Hearing this week. Friday 20 March: 2.30-4pm: The Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel is holding a Public Hearing into PFAS with the Minister for the Environment. Watch live or watch back on: Our website: bit.ly/40y2oms YouTube: bit.ly/4cQdfPV

🗓️ On this day, 154 years ago, the States Assembly voted to build Corbière Lighthouse. For 15 years, Members had debated how to make Jersey's southwest corner safer for ships, as the reef and rocks there had long made the approach hazardous. 🏛️ On 15 March 1872, the Assembly agreed to build and operate a lighthouse at La Corbière, choosing to run it independently rather than involve the UK's lighthouse authority, which imposed shipping dues on other Channel Islands' lights. The project took 18 months to complete, with Corbière Lighthouse lit for the first time on 3 June 1874. Image by Katrina O'Connor, entered into the 2024 Democracy Week photography competition.

The States Assembly has now adjourned and will reconvene at 9.30am on Tuesday 24th March. You can read a full summary of today's debates on our website: bit.ly/4roMlCt

The States Assembly voted to APPROVE the Minister’s proposition with 44 votes for, 0 votes against and 0 abstentions.

The Minister for Housing Deputy @SamMezecJsy is proposing that the States Assembly agree to the appointment of a Chair, Deputy Chair and Members of the Rent Tribunal, for a term of up to three years. • Chair: Rose Colley • Deputy Chairs: Jonathan Barham and Tim Hart • Members: Samantha Ainsworth, Matthew Beddoe, Luciano Brambilla, Joseph Carney, Stephanie Constantine, Sarah Gaudion, Samuel Putka. Read more: bit.ly/3Nxsbbk

The States Assembly voted to REJECT the Deputy’s proposition with 8 votes for, 34 votes against and 1 abstention.

Deputy Geoff Southern is proposing that the Draft Assisted Dying (Jersey) Law 202-, should be extended to include persons suffering from an incurable physical medical condition (which is not terminal) that is giving rise to unbearable suffering that cannot be alleviated in a manner the person deems to be tolerable, and to request the Minister for Health and Social Services to make the necessary changes to the Law. Read more: bit.ly/4so1pkE