ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 985

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: FEBRUARY 3, 1997

      The Assembly Education Committee favorably reports Assembly Bill No. 985 with committee amendments.

      As amended by committee, this bill permits the board of education of a school district to conduct a nonbinding referendum on a public question which directly pertains to the district. In a Type I district, the referendum would be held at the general election and would be conducted under the provisions of the election statutes found in Title 19. In a Type II district, the referendum would be held at the annual school election and would also be conducted under the election statutes found in Title 19.

      There is currently a provision in Title 19 for municipalities and counties to hold nonbinding referendums.

      The committee amended the bill to remove a provision permitting a Type II district to hold a nonbinding referendum at a special election and also adopted a technical amendment to provide that the referendum in a Type II district would be subject to the election statutes in Title 19, rather than chapter 14 of Title 18A which has been repealed.

      As amended by committee, this bill is identical to Senate Bill No. 784 (1R).

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 1996 legislative session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review which has been performed.