Bill
Bill > A5849
NJ A5849
Establishes New Jersey Government Restructuring and Modernization Commission.
summary
Introduced
06/19/2025
06/19/2025
In Committee
06/19/2025
06/19/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill establishes the New Jersey Government Restructuring and Modernization Commission, a bipartisan and collaborative body tasked with reviewing the structure and operations of New Jersey's executive branch departments and agencies to recommend improvements in efficiency, transparency, and accountability. New Jersey faces a structural budget deficit, and this legislation recognizes that part of the solution needs to include a thorough review of how the State government operates. Unlike similar efforts in the past, this commission is designed to take a strategic and long-term approach, grounded in institutional knowledge, inter-branch collaboration, and operational reality. The 15-member commission will include representatives from the executive branch, the Legislature, frontline public employees with a decade or more of State service, and public members with expertise in governance or fiscal policy. The goal is to bring together those who understand government from the inside with those who can challenge outdated structures and propose modern solutions. Importantly, this bill does not authorize layoffs or workforce reductions. Any structural or organizational reforms proposed must rely on natural attrition, retirements, and reallocation of personnel. This ensures that the process is both fiscally responsible and humane, avoiding unintended consequences that might disrupt vital public services or harm career public servants. The commission will deliver a modernization blueprint, and submit a report annually to the Governor and Legislature, identifying redundant programs, recommending agency consolidations, and proposing improvements to inter-agency coordination and oversight. All meetings will be public and transparent, with input from employees and the public encouraged through a designated online portal. The bill requires staff and related support services to be provided to the commission by the New Jersey Department of State. By promoting collaboration between the executive and legislative branches and empowering experienced public employees to have a seat at the table, this bill represents a responsible, inclusive, and forward-thinking path to reimagining how New Jersey government works, and for whom it works.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the New Jersey Government Restructuring and Modernization Commission, a 15-member bipartisan body designed to review and improve the efficiency of New Jersey's executive branch government. The commission will include representatives from the Lieutenant Governor's office, the State Senate and General Assembly (with balanced party representation), three career public employees with at least 10 years of service, and five public members with expertise in government, finance, and administration. The commission's primary responsibilities include conducting a comprehensive review of executive branch departments to identify redundant functions, inefficiencies, and opportunities for consolidation, while soliciting input from employees and department leadership. Critically, the bill mandates that any proposed reforms must be implemented through natural attrition and retirements, without mandating layoffs, and must preserve critical public services. The commission will develop a modernization blueprint and submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature, with all meetings being public and an online portal created for public feedback. The Department of State will provide necessary staff and support services, and the commission will operate for five years unless the Legislature chooses to reauthorize it. The underlying goal is to address New Jersey's structural budget deficit by creating a strategic, collaborative approach to government restructuring that respects existing workforce knowledge and prioritizes efficiency and accountability.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee (on 06/19/2025)
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/A5849 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A6000/5849_I1.HTM |
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