New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A2561

Introduced
1/9/24  

Caption

Authorizes the Legislative Counsel in the Office of Legislative Services to accept proper and sufficient service of process on behalf of the State Legislature when either or both Houses are named defendants in any legal proceeding.

Impact

If enacted, this bill is expected to simplify the procedures involved when the State Legislature is called into question in legal circumstances. By designating the Legislative Counsel to accept service of process, it limits the potential for confusion regarding appropriate legal representation and eases administrative burdens on legislative leaders. This means that responsibility for receiving legal notifications will be centralized, potentially allowing for more efficient and organized handling of legal proceedings involving the state.

Summary

Assembly Bill A2561 aims to authorize the Legislative Counsel in the Office of Legislative Services to accept proper and sufficient service of process on behalf of the State Legislature when either or both Houses are named defendants in any legal proceeding. This bill seeks to streamline the legislative process by clarifying the role of the Legislative Counsel in matters of legal service. Currently, there may be ambiguity around who can formally accept legal documents when the Legislature is sued or involved in judicial matters.

Contention

Some points of contention regarding A2561 include concerns related to the clarity of roles within the legislative framework. Critics may argue that having Legislative Counsel handle service of process could lead to a lack of direct accountability for legislative leaders in legal matters. Furthermore, there may be apprehensions about the implications of such a change in terms of the oversight of legal procedures affecting state governance. However, supporters assert that the measure provides necessary legal clarity and safeguards for the State Legislature's integrity in legal matters.

Companion Bills

NJ A3415

Carry Over Authorizes the Legislative Counsel in the Office of Legislative Services to accept proper and sufficient service of process on behalf of the State Legislature when either or both Houses are named defendants in any legal proceeding.

Previously Filed As

NJ A3002

Authorizes the Legislative Counsel in the Office of Legislative Services to accept proper and sufficient service of process on behalf of the State Legislature when either or both Houses are named defendants in any legal proceeding.

ID H0948

Amends existing law to provide for the Legislative Services Office to conduct revenue analysis.

AK HB298

Legislative Ethics Cmte & Proceedings

WV HB5250

Clarifying that the legislature cannot impede the judiciary’s duties to assure the fair administration of justice when it or a member of a legislative body is a party in a proceeding relating to legislative actions

WV HB2947

Clarifying that the legislature cannot impede the judiciary’s duties to assure the fair administration of justice when it or a member of a legislative body is a party in a proceeding relating to legislative actions

NJ S617

Requires Division of Rate Counsel to consider environmental impacts of proposed rate or service measure when representing public interest in certain proceedings and appeals.

ME HP1001

Joint Order, Directing the Office of the Executive Director to Develop a Plan for Increasing Public Access to Legislative Proceedings

ID HCR016

States findings of the Legislature and authorizes the Legislative Council to appoint a committee to undertake a study of the property insurance market in Idaho.

IN SR0076

Urging the legislative council to assign the topic of whether the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in Indiana is being sufficiently regulated.

KS HB2561

Authorizing the state board of regents to sell and convey real property valued at $5,000,000 or less without further legislative authorization and requiring the submission of an annual report listing any such real property sales to the legislature.

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