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Bill > A1594
NJ A1594
NJ A1594Enables municipality to allow newly elected member of municipal governing body to participate in meeting where public is excluded.
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 enables a municipality to allow a newly elected member of the municipality's governing body to participate in a meeting where the public is excluded. Under the bill, a municipality may, by resolution or ordinance, allow a newly elected member of the municipality's governing body to participate in a meeting where the public has been excluded before the newly elected member has taken their required oaths of office. The bill, thereby, provides the opportunity for a newly elected member of a municipal governing body to engage in important municipal issues in advance of the reorganization municipal meeting. Additionally, the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs would create an official statement for a newly elected member of a municipality's governing body to sign acknowledging that the newly elected member will abide by the municipality's rules concerning official conduct regarding meetings where the public has been excluded. This official statement signed by the newly elected member would be filed with the municipal clerk.
AI Summary
This bill allows a municipality to permit a newly elected member of its governing body to attend and participate in meetings where the public is excluded, even before they have officially taken their oath of office. Municipalities can adopt a resolution or ordinance to enable this, providing a way for new members to get up to speed on important local issues before officially joining the body. Additionally, the Division of Local Government Services will develop a statement for these newly elected members to sign, confirming they will follow the municipality's rules for conducting meetings where the public is not present, and this signed statement will be kept by the municipal clerk.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
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/A1594 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A2000/1594_I1.HTM |
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