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Bill > S973
NJ S973
NJ S973Provides for public comment period at certain sessions of each house of Legislature.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill would amend the "Senator Byron M. Baer Open Public Meetings Act," P.L.1975, c.231 (C.10:4-6 et seq.) to require the Senate and General Assembly to each set aside a portion of a session of that house at least four times a year for public comment. Currently, the law requires municipal governing bodies and boards of education, but not other public bodies, to allow a period for public comment at each public meeting. The bill would require that each house adopt reasonable rules governing the order and conduct of the public comment period, including, but not limited to, rules for designating the session at which public comment will be taken, the maximum time allotted to each speaker, the number of speakers per comment period, maintaining order and decorum, and prohibiting personal comments concerning named individuals.
AI Summary
This bill would amend the "Senator Byron M. Baer Open Public Meetings Act," which is a law (P.L.1975, c.231) that ensures public bodies conduct their meetings openly. Currently, this act requires municipal governing bodies and school boards to allow public comment at every meeting, but it does not mandate this for the state Senate and General Assembly. This bill would change that by requiring both the Senate and the General Assembly to set aside time for public comment during at least four sessions each year. To manage these sessions, each legislative house would need to create reasonable rules, which could include how to choose which session will have public comment, how long each person can speak, how many people can speak, how to maintain order, and prohibiting personal attacks on named individuals. The bill also clarifies that this new requirement for public comment in the legislature is an addition to the existing requirements for local government bodies.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee (on 01/13/2026)
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/2026/S973 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S1000/973_I1.HTM |
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