ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 144
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
219th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 25, 2020
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman AURA K. DUNN
District 25 (Morris and Somerset)
SYNOPSIS
Proposes constitutional amendment to require every bill and joint resolution introduced in Legislature to be heard in committee.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Concurrent Resolution proposing to amend Article IV, Section IV of the New Jersey Constitution by adding a new paragraph.
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):
1. The following proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of New Jersey is agreed to:
PROPOSED AMENDMENT
Amend Article IV, Section IV by adding a new paragraph 6A to read as follows:
6A. Every bill and joint resolution introduced in the Legislature shall be referred upon first reading to a standing reference committee in the house of introduction and shall be heard at a public meeting of that committee during the two-year legislative term.
2. When this proposed amendment to the Constitution is finally agreed to pursuant to Article IX, paragraph 1 of the Constitution, it shall be submitted to the people at the next general election occurring more than three months after the final agreement and shall be published at least once in at least one newspaper of each county designated by the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the General Assembly and the Secretary of State, not less than three months prior to the general election.
3. This proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be submitted to the people at that election in the following manner and form:
There shall be printed on each official ballot to be used at the general election, the following:
a. In every municipality in which voting machines are not used, a legend which shall immediately precede the question as follows:
If you favor the proposition printed below make a cross (X), plus (+), or check (a) in the square opposite the word "Yes." If you are opposed thereto make a cross (X), plus (+) or check (a) in the square opposite the word "No."
b. In
every municipality the following question:
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CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO REQUIRE EVERY BILL OR JOINT RESOLUTION INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATURE TO BE HEARD BY COMMITTEE
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YES
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Do you approve changing the Constitution to have each bill or joint resolution introduced in the Legislature heard by a legislative committee? This would take place at a meeting open to the public. |
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INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT
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NO
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If this change is approved, every bill or joint resolution introduced in the Legislature would be heard by a committee at some time during the Legislature’s term. The term of the Legislature is two years. The bill or joint resolution would be heard at a meeting open to the public. There is currently no requirement that a bill or joint resolution be heard at a meeting. |
STATEMENT
This proposed amendment to the Constitution would require that every bill and joint resolution introduced in the Legislature must be referred to a standing reference committee in the House of introduction and heard at a public meeting of that committee during the two-year legislative term.