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Bill > ACR18
NJ ACR18
NJ ACR18Proposes constitutional amendment to broaden powers of the Council on Local Mandates.
summary
Introduced
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
In Committee
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
The Council on Local Mandates was established in 1996 to rule on questions of whether State laws, rules and regulations enacted or adopted after January 17, 1996 were unfunded mandates on local governments and unenforceable. With the constant annual increases to the burden of local property taxes, it is prudent for the Legislature to take advantage of the expertise developed by the members and staff of the Council on Local Mandates to review statutes and regulations, whenever enacted or adopted, in order to recommend the repeal or modification of those laws and regulations that place an excessive burden on local units of government, and also to review bills pending before the Legislature to identify for the Legislature bills that would constitute unfunded, unenforceable mandates on school districts, counties and municipalities if enacted. This constitutional amendment would expand the authority of the Council of Local Mandates to allow it to effectively function as a study commission with respect to existing statutory laws and regulations, and bills pending before the Legislature.
AI Summary
This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to expand the powers of the Council on Local Mandates, a nine-member body established in 1996 to address unfunded mandates imposed on local governments. Currently, the Council can only review laws and regulations enacted after 1996 to determine if they impose financial burdens on school districts, counties, and municipalities without providing offsetting resources. The proposed amendment would significantly broaden the Council's authority, allowing it to proactively review existing laws and regulations from any time period and recommend to the Legislature which unfunded mandates could be eliminated or modified. Additionally, the Council would gain the ability to examine pending legislative bills and identify potential unfunded mandates before they become law. The amendment maintains the Council's current composition, with members appointed by the Governor, legislative leaders, and the Chief Justice, and preserves existing exemptions for certain types of mandates, such as those required by federal law or applied equally to government and non-government entities. If approved by voters, this constitutional amendment aims to provide a more comprehensive mechanism for addressing the financial burden of state mandates on local governments.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee (on 01/09/2024)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/ACR18 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/ACR/18_I1.HTM |
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