Bill
Bill > AR15
NJ AR15
NJ AR15Requires mandatory posting of legislation with 41 or more sponsors; provides for Special Order Speeches and public comment periods at committee meetings.
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
Section 1 amends Rule 4:7 and requires the Speaker to include on the Calendar of Bills and Resolutions any bill or resolution with 41 or more sponsors no later than the second meeting of the General Assembly, at which bills and resolutions are considered, after the bill or resolution receives second reading or adds its 41st sponsor, whichever is later. This provision applies only to bills or resolutions with 41 or more current sponsors. Section 2 adds subsection f. to Rule 10:23. Subsection f. would require that when a bill or resolution has 41 or more sponsors and is referred to a committee, if the committee does not report the bill by the third meeting of that committee after referral, a prime sponsor may so advise the Speaker in writing. The Speaker shall verify that advice and not later than the next meeting of the General Assembly, when a quorum is present, order the bill or resolution to second reading. Because the purpose of subsection f. is to expedite the consideration of bills and resolutions with 41 or more sponsors, the bill or resolution may only receive a second or subsequent committee reference under Rule 10:18 or by the vote of 41 or more members. Section 3 adds a new Rule 2:10 on special order speeches. Special order speeches would be scheduled four times a year and take place after the General Assembly has concluded its voting and while the voting board remains open for routine business. The majority and minority parties would each have up to one hour for special order speeches. Each member speaking would have up to 15 minutes. The Speaker shall reasonably accommodate special order speeches by independent members. As the General Assembly remains in session during these speeches, they are subject to all rules of the General Assembly and also the "speech or debate" provisions of Article IV, Section IV, paragraph 9 of the New Jersey Constitution. Section 4 adds a new Rule 10:26 regarding comments by members of the public before standing reference committees. Two times a year, each standing reference committee must schedule two hours for public comments. The committee member presiding during these comments shall resolve all issues that arise and ensure that proper decorum is followed at all times. Public comments shall not deal with personalities and must be confined to subjects within the jurisdiction of the committee.
AI Summary
This resolution mandates that any bill or resolution with 41 or more sponsors must be scheduled for consideration by the General Assembly within a specific timeframe, ensuring that legislation with broad support is brought to the floor more quickly. It also establishes a process where if a committee fails to act on such a bill or resolution after three meetings, the prime sponsor can notify the Speaker, who will then advance the legislation to the next stage of consideration, with limited exceptions for further committee referral. Additionally, the resolution creates opportunities for "Special Order Speeches," where each major political party gets an hour to present speeches after voting concludes, and mandates that standing reference committees hold two two-hour public comment periods annually, allowing members of the public to address committee matters within their jurisdiction, with rules in place to ensure decorum and relevance.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government 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/AR15 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/AR/15_I1.HTM |
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