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Bill > SCR56


NJ SCR56

NJ SCR56
Proposes amendment to Constitution permitting justices and judges to engage in extra-judicial activities for compensation as permitted by court rule.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This proposed amendment to the New Jersey Constitution would permit State Supreme Court Justices and Superior Court Judges to participate in and receive compensation for certain extra-judicial activities, as permitted by the Supreme Court by court rule and subject to Supreme Court regulation. Presently, State Supreme Court Justices and Superior Court Judges are not permitted to engage in the practice of law or other gainful pursuit. See N.J. Const., Art. VI, Sec. VI, par. 6. The total compensation a justice or judge could receive in a single year would be limited to no more than 15 percent of the justice's or judge's annual salary. Additionally, a justice or judge would not be permitted to receive compensation in the form of an honorarium, which is a payment of money or any other thing of value for an appearance, speech, or article directly related to the justice's or judge's official duties or status.

AI Summary

This concurrent resolution proposes an amendment to the New Jersey Constitution that would allow State Supreme Court Justices and Superior Court Judges to engage in certain outside activities for pay, provided these activities are permitted and regulated by the Supreme Court through court rules. Currently, these judges are prohibited from holding any other paid employment. The amendment would cap the total compensation a judge could receive from these outside activities at 15% of their annual salary and would specifically disallow payments known as "honorariums," which are defined as compensation for appearances, speeches, or articles directly related to their official duties or status. This change aims to provide judges with limited opportunities for additional income while maintaining ethical standards and judicial integrity.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee (on 01/13/2026)

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