Bill
Bill > A508
NJ A508
NJ A508Provides parties offering public remarks before Senate committees concerning qualifications of Superior Court judge nominees, upon motion, change of venue on family actions, to vicinage other than vicinage where nominee is assigned if confirmed.
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 concerns the public's participation with the Senate's review of gubernatorial nominees to be judges of the Superior Court. Specifically, the bill would provide a party to a previously instituted family action or proceeding, who presents public remarks before any Senate committee reviewing a Superior Court judicial nomination or re-nomination concerning the character or qualifications of the nominee, the ability to receive a change of venue on further family matters arising out of or otherwise related to the previously instituted action or proceeding. The change of venue would be made by motion of the party to the same court in which the party's previously instituted family action or proceeding was last adjudicated or awaiting further consideration. The venue change granted by the court would be to another vicinage, other than the vicinage to which the nominee is assigned if confirmed with the advice and consent of the Senate. The court would consider the interests of the moving party as well as the interests of all other parties from the previously instituted family action or proceeding in the selection of the new venue. The bill incorporates the court rule standard for permitting a venue change based on "substantial doubt that a fair and impartial" proceeding can be had in a current venue, due to the party's public remarks directed at the judicial nominee, as the justification for granting the moving party's request for the change of venue.
AI Summary
This bill allows a party involved in a family court case to request a change of venue for any future related family court matters if they have publicly spoken before a Senate committee about the character or qualifications of a nominee for the Superior Court, which is the state's main trial court. A "change of venue" means moving the case to a different geographic location, and a "vicinage" is a judicial district. This provision applies if the party's public remarks create substantial doubt about whether they can receive a fair and impartial hearing in the original location, especially if the judge nominee is assigned to that vicinage if confirmed. The court will consider the interests of all parties involved when deciding on the new location.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary 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/A508 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A1000/508_I1.HTM |
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