Proposes constitutional amendment to require every bill and joint resolution introduced in Legislature to be heard in committee.
Impact
If enacted, ACR100 will alter the legislative landscape in New Jersey by enforcing a structured approach to how bills are processed. This change aims to prevent the passage of bills without public insight and committee evaluation, thereby enhancing the lawmaking process. Legislators will be obligated to schedule hearings and make provisions for public input, which could lead to more robust and accountable governance. The proposed amendment may foster improved public trust in the legislative process by ensuring that all voices can be heard during the legislative term.
Summary
ACR100 proposes a significant amendment to the New Jersey Constitution to require that every bill and joint resolution introduced in the Legislature be referred to a standing reference committee and heard in a public meeting during the two-year legislative term. This proposal aims to enhance legislative transparency and ensure that all proposed legislation undergoes scrutiny and public discussion, which is currently not mandated. By instituting this requirement, the resolution seeks to promote greater engagement between legislators and the public, allowing for a more informed legislative process.
Contention
While the intent behind ACR100 is to increase transparency, this proposal may face criticism from those who argue it could slow down the legislative process. Some lawmakers may express concerns that mandatory hearings could delay urgent legislative actions, especially in crisis situations. Moreover, the requirement for committee hearings on every proposed bill could lead to resource strain within legislative committees, potentially resulting in backlogs and inefficiencies in the legislative workflow. The balance between ensuring thorough discourse and maintaining legislative agility may emerge as a central point of contention in discussions regarding the resolution.
Proposes constitutional amendment to require two-thirds majority vote by Legislature for bills proposing a new or increased State tax, fee, surcharge or civil penalty.
Proposes constitutional amendment to require two-thirds majority vote by Legislature for bills proposing a new or increased State tax, fee, surcharge or civil penalty.
Requires Legislature to make bills and joint resolutions available to public on website at least 14 days before final vote in each house; prohibits consideration of certain bills and joint resolutions given first reading.
Proposes amendment to Constitution to require each house of the Legislature to meet four times annually solely to vote on bills that provide property tax relief.
Proposing An Amendment To Article Iii, Section 12 Of The Hawaii Constitution To Require The Chair Of A Committee Of The Legislature To Set For Public Hearing Every Bill Assigned To The Committee.