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NJ AR19

NJ AR19
Constitutes special committee of General Assembly entitled Assembly Select Committee on the Executive Branch's Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic."


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 Assembly Resolution establishes a special committee of the General Assembly entitled the "Assembly Select Committee on the Executive Branch's Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic" to evaluate the executive branch's response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and develop strategies to improve the State's response to future outbreaks of infectious disease and other Statewide events that may result in a prolonged emergency response. The special committee will comprise six members of the General Assembly. Three members are to be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly, and three members are to be appointed by the Minority Leader of the General Assembly, with no more than three members being from a single political party. The Speaker of the General Assembly will appoint a chairperson and vice-chairperson of the special committee from among the membership, who may not be of the same political party. For the purposes of carrying out its duties, the special committee will have all the powers conferred under the laws and the Constitutions of the State of New Jersey and of the United States, including, but not limited to, the powers conferred under chapter 13 of Title 52 of the Revised Statutes, which include the power to issue subpoenas compelling the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence, provided that no subpoena may be issued by the committee without the written consent of the chairperson, the vice-chairperson, and the Speaker of the General Assembly. The special committee will be entitled to call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of the employees of the State of New Jersey, any political subdivision of the State, and any agency thereof, as may be required and as may be available for that purpose, and to employ any other services as may be deemed necessary, in order to perform its duties, and within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available for that purpose. The special committee, upon the written approval of the Speaker of the General Assembly, will be entitled to call to its assistance, employ, and avail itself of the services of one or more special counsel retained to assist the committee.

AI Summary

This resolution establishes the "Assembly Select Committee on the Executive Branch's Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic," a special six-member committee of the New Jersey General Assembly, with three members appointed by the Speaker and three by the Minority Leader, ensuring no more than three members are from a single political party. The committee's primary purpose is to evaluate the state's executive branch response to the COVID-19 pandemic and develop strategies to improve emergency responses to future infectious disease outbreaks. The committee will have extensive investigative powers, including the ability to issue subpoenas (with approval from the chairperson, vice-chairperson, and Speaker), hold hearings, take sworn testimony, interview witnesses, and examine documentary evidence. The committee can also request assistance from state employees and agencies, and may hire special counsel with the Speaker's approval. Its broader powers include reporting potential legal violations, responding to judicial processes, and making recommendations to the General Assembly. The resolution was motivated by the significant impact of COVID-19 on New Jersey, including economic disruption, social isolation, and the challenges faced by healthcare workers and first responders, with the ultimate goal of improving the state's preparedness for future emergencies.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee (on 01/09/2024)

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