New Jersey Assembly Bill A1279

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/22
• Refer: 1/11/22

Caption

Removes requirement for promulgation by Governor of national census.

Impact

The changes proposed in A1279 reflect a shift in how census data is integrated into state law. By eliminating the requirement for the formal promulgation process that has been in place, A1279 facilitates immediate access to census statistics as they are made available online. This change acknowledges the advancement of technology and the efficiency of direct data reporting from the Census Bureau, enhancing the responsiveness of state government to population changes.

Summary

Assembly Bill A1279 aims to amend current New Jersey laws regarding the official promulgation of the national census by the Governor. The bill specifically removes the requirement that the Governor files a copy of the census bulletin issued by the national census director in the Secretary of State's office. Instead, it allows the Governor to issue a statement declaring the date on which the federal decennial census is received. This is intended to simplify the process of recognizing census data within state regulations and streamline administrative procedures.

Contention

While the bill aims to modernize the reporting and utilization of census data, there might be concerns regarding the implications for local jurisdictions that rely on the official promulgation for classification and representation purposes. As census data influences funding and representation at various levels of government, some stakeholders may argue that removing the formal approval step could impact the clarity and stability of population data utilized in state governance, potentially leading to unforeseen challenges in areas like election apportionment and local governance.