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Bill > SCR31

NJ SCR31

NJ SCR31
Requires Legislature to make bills and joint resolutions available to public on Legislature's website at least seven days before final vote.

summary

Introduced
01/09/2024
In Committee
01/09/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This constitutional amendment would require the Legislature to make bills and joint resolutions available to the public on the Legislature's website at least seven days before a final vote. Under the Constitution, a bill has to be read three times before it can be passed. A bill is given first reading when introduced, second reading generally when voted out of committee, and third reading before the final vote. The Constitution also requires one full calendar day between second reading and a final vote on a bill or joint resolution with an emergency exception. This amendment would change the Constitution to instead require at least seven days between second reading and third reading. Under the bill, each time a bill or joint resolution is read a second time the bill or joint resolution must be made available on the Legislature's website for at least seven days after each second reading and prior to the third reading. The exception in the Constitution that a bill or joint resolution may have a final vote without the seven day period if three-fourths of the members in that House decide that the bill or joint resolution is an emergency measure remains unchanged. It is the sponsor's belief that this amendment would ensure that the public has access to most bills and joint resolutions for at least seven days before a final vote and limit the ability of bills and joint resolutions to be voted on without proper transparency to the public.

AI Summary

This concurrent resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to enhance legislative transparency by requiring the New Jersey Legislature to make bills and joint resolutions publicly available on its website for at least seven full calendar days before a final vote. Currently, the state constitution only mandates one full calendar day between a bill's second and third reading, but this amendment would replace that requirement with a mandatory seven-day public review period. Each time a bill or joint resolution receives a second reading, it must be posted online for at least seven days before the third reading, which would give the public more time to review proposed legislation. The amendment preserves an existing emergency provision that allows bills to bypass the seven-day waiting period if three-fourths of the legislative body votes to treat the measure as an emergency. If approved by voters in a general election, this constitutional amendment aims to increase government transparency and provide citizens with more opportunity to examine proposed laws before they are finalized.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee (on 01/09/2024)
(3 Companion Bills)

bill text

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/SCR31
BillText https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/SCR/31_I1.HTM
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