Bill

Bill > A2633


NJ A2633

NJ A2633
Establishes certain ethical standards and financial control requirements for State authorities.


summary

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

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill codifies Executive Order No. 41 (2005), issued by Acting Governor Codey on June 15, 2005. Specifically, it provides that: the Governor's Authorities Unit, in conjunction with the Executive Commission on Ethical Standards and the Inspector General, will conduct training sessions for members of independent State authorities, as well as members of boards, commissions, or agencies that are in but not of a principal department, in government ethics and proper fiscal practices, including specific training in the requirements of the federal Sarbanes Oxley Act, as related to their duties as authority members and will include the responsibility of authority members in the employment of authority staff, oversight of procurement and fiscal operations and approval of contracts; as of January 1, 2006 and annually thereafter, the executive director of each authority will certify in writing to the Director of the Governor's Authorities Unit that each member of the authority has completed such training; such training will be updated annually at the direction of the Director of the Governor's Authorities Unit to include such federal mandates as directed by Congress and such State mandates as directed by the Office of the Inspector General; the Inspector General will assess the internal controls that are in place at every authority and make recommendations concerning what uniform practices and procedures should be established for all State authorities; within 30 days of the bill's effective date, the Director of the Governor's Authorities Unit will provide recommendations concerning whether there are any authorities, boards, commissions or agencies that are not presently covered by the bill's provisions or Executive Orders Nos 10 (2002), 122 (2004) or 134 (2004), but should be included within their scope, and the director will further review whether any executive director of an authority also serves as a member of the authority and recommend whether legislative or regulatory changes are necessary to eliminate this service in dual capacities; within 30 days of the bill's effective date and annually as of May 15 thereafter, the executive director of an authority will certify in writing to the Director of the Governor's Authorities Unit that all authority members have met the requirements of Executive Order No. 10 (2002); within 45 days of the bill's effective date and annually as of January 1 thereafter, each executive director will certify in writing to the Director of the Governor's Authorities Unit that the authority has met the requirements of Executive Order No. 122 (2004), which includes the requirement that every authority covered by that executive order have an audit committee that serves independently of the management of the authority in soliciting, procuring and overseeing the function of the independent auditor and ensuring that the relationship with such auditor is the function of the board and not the management of the authority; within 60 days of the bill's effective date and annually as of January 1 thereafter, each executive director will certify in writing to the Director of the Governor's Authorities Unit that the authority has met the requirements of Executive Order No. 134 (2004), which includes the requirement that every authority comply with procedures designed to limit or ban campaign contributions by vendors doing business with the State or the authority; and the failure of any authority member, officer or employee to comply with the bill's provisions will constitute good cause for his or her removal from office or employment.

AI Summary

This bill establishes ethical standards and financial controls for State authorities, which are defined as boards, commissions, or agencies organized within, but not part of, a principal State government department, as well as independent State authorities. It mandates that the Governor's Authorities Unit, in conjunction with the Executive Commission on Ethical Standards and the Inspector General, will provide training on government ethics and fiscal practices, including the federal Sarbanes-Oxley Act, to members of these authorities, covering their responsibilities in hiring staff, overseeing finances and procurement, and approving contracts. By January 1, 2006, and annually thereafter, the executive director of each authority must certify that all members have completed this training, which will be updated annually to reflect new federal and State mandates. The Inspector General will also review the internal controls of each authority and recommend uniform practices. The bill also requires the Director of the Governor's Authorities Unit to assess which entities should be covered by these provisions and to review potential conflicts where an executive director also serves as an authority member. Furthermore, executive directors must annually certify compliance with previous Executive Orders regarding ethical conduct, the establishment of independent audit committees, and restrictions on campaign contributions from vendors. Failure to comply with these provisions can result in removal from office or employment.

Committee Categories

Transportation and Infrastructure

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee (on 01/13/2026)

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