New Jersey Assembly Bill ACR30

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/22
• Refer: 1/11/22

Caption

Requires Legislature to make bills and joint resolutions available to public on Legislature's website at least seven days before final vote.

Impact

The passage of ACR30 would have significant implications for the legislative process in New Jersey, as it would amend Article IV, Section IV of the State Constitution. By ensuring that the public has at least a week to review and understand bills before they are voted on, proponents argue that it protects democratic processes and encourages legislators to consider the opinions and needs of their constituents. This change would enhance public participation in governance and hold lawmakers accountable for the legislation they support.

Summary

ACR30 is a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at increasing transparency in the legislative process in New Jersey. The amendment stipulates that all bills and joint resolutions must be made available to the public on the Legislature's website for at least seven days before a final vote can take place. This builds on the existing requirement that bills be read three times prior to passing but replaces the current one-day waiting period between the second and third readings with a week-long period of accessibility to the public. This aims to better inform constituents about the legislations being voted on, allowing for greater public engagement and scrutiny.

Contention

However, the amendment may face opposition from those who argue that extending the waiting period could impede the efficiency of the legislative process, especially for urgent matters that require quick action. The bill does include a provision that allows for emergency measures to be passed with a three-fourths vote of members in either house, circumventing the seven-day waiting period. Critics may express concern that this exception could be misused, potentially undermining the very transparency the amendment seeks to enhance.