New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill ACR41

Introduced
1/9/24  

Caption

Requires Legislature to make bills and joint resolutions available to public on Legislature's website at least seven days before final vote.

Impact

If passed, ACR41 would require that every time a bill or joint resolution is read a second time in either house, it would need to be made publicly available online for a minimum of seven full calendar days before proceeding to the third reading. This change could lead to a significant shift in how legislation is conducted within the state legislature, compelling legislators to be more thoughtful and deliberate in their considerations, given the extended time for public scrutiny and input.

Summary

ACR41 is a concurrent resolution in New Jersey proposing an amendment to the state constitution that mandates the Legislature to publish all bills and joint resolutions on its website at least seven days prior to the final vote. The goal of this resolution is to enhance public access to legislative documents and ensure greater transparency in the legislative process. Under the current rules, there is only a one-day requirement between the second and third readings of a bill, which this amendment seeks to extend significantly to allow the public adequate time to review proposed legislation.

Contention

While the resolution is primarily seen as a measure to enhance transparency, there may be contention regarding its implications for urgent legislation. ACR41 maintains the existing provision allowing for an emergency vote, which can bypass the seven-day waiting period if three-fourths of the members agree it is necessary. Critics may argue that this emergency provision could be abused, thus still limiting transparency for pressing matters. Conversely, supporters believe that the majority of legislation should be subjected to this seven-day scrutiny to foster a more informed and engaged public.

Companion Bills

NJ SCR31

Same As Requires Legislature to make bills and joint resolutions available to public on Legislature's website at least seven days before final vote.

NJ ACR30

Carry Over Requires Legislature to make bills and joint resolutions available to public on Legislature's website at least seven days before final vote.

NJ SCR11

Carry Over Requires Legislature to make bills and joint resolutions available to public on Legislature's website at least seven days before final vote.

Previously Filed As

NJ SCR47

Requires Legislature to make bills and joint resolutions available to public on Legislature's website at least seven days before final vote.

NJ ACR54

Requires Legislature to make bills and joint resolutions available to public on Legislature's website at least seven days before final vote.

NJ AJR2

Proposes to amend the Nevada Constitution to require that the language of a bill or joint resolution be made available to the public for at least 72 hours before a House may vote on the final passage of the bill or joint resolution. (BDR C-20)

NJ S547

Allows registered voters to submit application to vote by mail using online voter registration website maintained by Secretary of State up to seven days before election.

NJ AR121

Requires certain bills and resolutions with at least 32 sponsors to be voted on third reading upon notice.

NJ ACR136

Proposes constitutional amendment to require every bill and joint resolution introduced in Legislature to be heard in committee.

NJ A1373

Allows voters to submit application to vote by mail using electronic mail-in ballot application form through website maintained by Secretary of State up to seven days before election.

NJ HB1113

Requires the legislature to make available on its website copies of legislative instruments and unofficial engrossed versions of instruments for proposed amendments

NJ SCR35

Amends Constitution to require that State tax bills pass both Houses of Legislature by three-fifths majority vote.

NJ ACR21

Amends Constitution to require that State tax bills pass both Houses of Legislature by three-fifths majority vote.

Similar Bills

CA ACA2

Legislature: retirement.

CA SB699

Legislature: constitutional course.

MI HR0041

A resolution to direct the Clerk of the House of Representatives to only present to the Governor enrolled House bills finally passed by both houses of the One Hundred Third Legislature.

TX HB1615

Relating to the nonsubstantive revision of certain local laws concerning water and wastewater special districts, including a conforming amendment.

AK SCR1

Art. Ii, Sec. 16, Const: Veto Recon

TX HB1620

Relating to nonsubstantive additions to, revisions of, and corrections in enacted codes, to the nonsubstantive codification or disposition of various laws omitted from enacted codes, and to conforming codifications enacted by the 88th Legislature to other Acts of that legislature.

NJ S1701

Requires legislative approval of changes to core curriculum content standards and Statewide assessments.

NJ A167

Requires legislative approval of changes to core curriculum content standards and Statewide assessments.