Bill > ACR63

Introduced Session

This concurrent resolution proposes a temporary amendment to the New Jersey Constitution which would provide for the convening of a State constitutional convention for the purpose of reducing government spending and reforming the system of property taxation in this State. Upon approval by the electorate of the holding of the convention, two delegates to the convention would be elected from each legislative district, for a total of 80 delegates, at a special election held in March thereafter. The names of candidates for delegate on the ballot would rotate in successive election districts in order to mitigate any potential impact of ballot position on voter choice. Candidates for the position of delegate to the convention would be subject to special campaign contribution limits. The convention would convene in April thereafter and complete its work in August. It would be the duty of the convention to prepare a proposal consisting of amendments to the New Jersey Constitution and revisions to the statutes, which reduce government spending by revising the spending priorities of the State and local governments, and providing other opportunities to reduce spending by government and which, while revenue neutral in their overall impact, eliminate inequities in the current system of property taxation, ensure greater uniformity in the application of property taxes, reduce property taxes as a share of overall public revenue, provide alternatives which lessen the dependence of local government on property taxes, and provide alternative means of reducing local government spending. Any revisions of the statutes recommended by the convention and approved by the voters at the following general election would thereafter be subject to amendment or repeal by the Legislature and the Governor in the same manner as other laws. The convention's proposal would be submitted to the voters for their approval at the next general election. The voters would approve or disapprove of all the amendments and statutory revisions proposed by the convention and would not be permitted to approve some, but not all, of the convention's proposals. The convention would be limited to considering the issues of reducing government spending and tax reform. It would not be permitted to consider any other issues. The concurrent resolution provides that the Chief Justice would appoint a committee of three retired members of the Judiciary to review the convention's proposal prior to its placement on the ballot for the purpose of verifying that the convention has complied with its instructions and not exceeded those instructions in any way. It also directs the Legislative Services Commission to undertake relevant research tasks for the benefit of the convention prior to the convening of the convention and to recruit qualified employees who may be employed by the convention. The temporary constitutional amendment proposed by this concurrent resolution would expire 30 days following the general election at which the convention's proposal appears on the ballot.

AI Summary

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Brian Rumpf (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document