New Jersey Assembly Bill A301

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Deactivates certain committees, councils, panels, and task forces of advisory or temporary nature if entity does not meet or have quorum at least once every year.

Impact

One of the primary impacts of A301 is its contribution to state government efficiency. By deactivating committees that do not meet regularly, the bill seeks to allocate resources more effectively. The Secretary of State will be responsible for reviewing meeting records annually, promoting accountability and ensuring that only active committees can call for assistance from state, county, or municipal employees. This action could lead to reduced government spending on inactive advisory groups that can no longer fulfill their intended roles.

Summary

Assembly Bill A301 aims to streamline the functions of temporary and advisory committees, councils, panels, and task forces within New Jersey state government. The bill specifies that if any such body does not meet or fail to conduct business due to a lack of quorum at least once every 365 days, it will be deemed inactive. This measure intends to prevent unproductive committees from occupying administrative resources and ensure that governmental bodies are effectively working towards their objectives.

Contention

While A301 is designed to improve government efficiency, there may be concerns regarding the loss of continuity and knowledge within these advisory bodies. Some lawmakers may argue that certain committees, despite not meeting quorum, still serve important roles in their respective areas and require a stable infrastructure. The criteria set forth could exclude valuable contributions from members who may have had scheduling conflicts or other legitimate reasons for non-attendance, potentially leading to diminished representation and expertise in certain advisory areas.