New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A4609

Introduced
9/22/22  

Caption

Deactivates certain committees, councils, panels, and task forces of advisory or temporary nature if entity does not meet or have quorum at least once every year.

Impact

The bill has significant implications for the structure of state governance in New Jersey. It mandates the Secretary of State to annually review the meeting records of various advisory entities. If a body is found to be inactive under the terms set by this legislation, it will face automatic deactivation, leading to the termination of all member appointments. This could potentially reduce the number of advisory bodies in state governance, streamlining decision-making processes but possibly also diminishing the input from diverse community representatives.

Summary

Assembly Bill A4609 aims to streamline governmental advisory bodies by deactivating those that do not meet or have a quorum at least once every year. This legislation targets committees, councils, panels, and task forces that are designed to provide advisory or temporary functions. By enforcing an annual meeting requirement, the bill intends to ensure that these bodies remain active participants in the governance process rather than existing in a dormant state.

Contention

Critics may argue that while the bill aims to enhance efficiency, it could lead to the premature closure of important advisory bodies that might have infrequent meeting requirements but serve critical roles. The criteria set for inactivity may overlook the value these bodies provide during periods of low activity, leading to calls for more flexible criteria capable of accommodating varying operational needs. Proponents of the bill, however, defend it as a necessary step to deter inefficiency and preserve state resources by ensuring that only active and engaged advisory bodies are maintained.

Companion Bills

NJ S59

Same As Deactivates certain committees, councils, panels, and task forces of advisory or temporary nature if entity does not meet or have quorum at least once every year.

Previously Filed As

NJ A301

Deactivates certain committees, councils, panels, and task forces of advisory or temporary nature if entity does not meet or have quorum at least once every year.

NJ S59

Deactivates certain committees, councils, panels, and task forces of advisory or temporary nature if entity does not meet or have quorum at least once every year.

NJ S895

Deactivates certain committees, councils, panels, and task forces of advisory or temporary nature if entity does not meet or have quorum at least once every year.

NJ A4180

Eliminates various boards, commissions, committees, councils, and task forces created by law.

NJ SB277

Relating to certain health-related and other task forces and advisory committees.

NJ SB341

Official Code of Georgia Annotated; relating to inactive boards, panels, authorities, centers, commissions, committees, councils, task forces, and other such bodies and certain procedures of the General Assembly; repeal

NJ SB96

Official Code of Georgia Annotated; provisions creating certain boards, panels, authorities, centers, commissions, committees, councils, task forces, and other such bodies; update and modernize

NJ SB23

O.C.G.A.; various titles; revise a committee name; relating to inactive boards, panels, authorities, centers, commissions, committees, councils, task forces, and other such bodies; provisions; repeal

NJ A5902

Requires study by Executive Branch on advisory or study task forces, committees, commissions, and boards.

NJ SB533

Relative to physical quorums at public meetings.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.