New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal before lawmakers on Tuesday laid out an ambitious four-point list of priorities for the first year of his administration.

Grewal, the former Bergen County prosecutor and Gov. Phil Murphy's first attorney general, announced his plans to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee, which is reviewing the Department of Law and Public Safety's proposed $568.96 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Grewal said he would expand the use of affirmative litigation, especially against the federal government; expand efforts to combat drug addiction; improve police-community relations; and reduce violent crime, especially crimes involving firearms.

“As the state's chief law enforcement officer, it is my job to protect the interests of the state and its people. Over the past year, this mission has taken on an even greater urgency, as we now find ourselves facing an increasing number of difficult challenges and situations that adversely affect the lives of our citizens,” he said.

“Threats to our state's well-being have come in many forms and through many avenues, even from the corridors of power in Washington, D.C.,” he continued. “The EPA has dismantled clean air protections without seeking the type of public input required by law. The Department of Justice has placed illegal restrictions on federal grant funding to local law enforcement agencies simply because local officials have disagreed with their immigration enforcement priorities. And our president has forced the Department of Defense to discriminate against our brave men and women in uniform for no reason other than their gender identity.”

Grewal added, “When any entity—even the federal government—takes action that harms our residents, or violates the law, or infringes upon our rights, I will stand up for what is right.”

He touted programs that began in Bergen County to improve attempts to fight drug addiction. One program allows users to voluntarily surrender drugs and paraphernalia without fear of arrest. Another promises addicts that if they complete a treatment program, information will be provided to a sentencing judge in an effort to avoid prison sentences.

But, he added, “my office is also vigorously pursuing the high-level traffickers and dirty doctors that make these drugs available to addicts and users.”

Regarding improving police-community relations, Grewal said he has taken steps to ensure that police camera footage is released after any fatal shooting involving a police officer, and is mandating drug testing for police officers. He also noted that he recently asked retired New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Virginia Long and former U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman to study the possibility of creating two statewide units: one to review “cold-case” files, and the other a “conviction review unit” to investigate claims of wrongful conviction.

Lastly, Grewal promised to continue with attempts to reduce violent crime, including more stringent moves to reduce the trafficking of illegal firearms.

“It's an ambitious agenda, but it's only the beginning,” he told the committee.

Committee Chairman Paul Sarlo, D-Bergen, expressed reservations about the possibility of legalizing the recreational use of marijuana, and asked Grewal about his thoughts.

Grewal said any decision on legalization would be made by Murphy and the Legislature, but noted that his office would have to retrain law enforcement if the legislation is enacted.

Several senators asked Grewal about the decision to not assist federal immigration officials in sweeps to round up undocumented aliens. Grewal said there was no requirement for local law enforcement to physically assist immigration officials in such operations.