New Jersey Assembly Bill A2352

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/7/22
• Refer: 2/7/22

Caption

Revises reappointment process for administrative law judges, and establishes tenure upon reappointment with the Senate's advice and consent.

Impact

The implementation of A2352 would significantly alter the landscape of judicial appointments within the state's administrative law system. By enabling lifetime tenure for judges, the bill intends to attract and retain high-quality legal professionals, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of administrative law proceedings. This could lead to more stability and continuity in the adjudication of administrative disputes, reducing turnover and associated costs due to training new judges.

Summary

Assembly Bill A2352 seeks to amend the process for reappointment of administrative law judges in New Jersey, establishing tenure for these judges upon reappointment by the Governor, contingent upon the Senate's advice and consent. Currently, administrative law judges are appointed for an initial one-year term followed by subsequent five-year terms. Upon reaching the age of 70, they face mandatory retirement. The new bill proposes that judges nominated after its effective date would be eligible for lifetime tenure until they reach mandatory retirement age, thus providing greater job security.

Contention

However, the bill has sparked discussions around the implications of granting lifetime tenure to judges. Proponents argue that this measure would enhance judicial independence and reduce political pressure during reappointments. Critics, on the other hand, express concerns about accountability and the potential lack of rigorous evaluation in the future. While the bill ensures judicial evaluations are made available to the Senate Judiciary Committee for review, the balance between securing judicial independence and ensuring accountability remains a point of contention in legislative debates.