ASSEMBLY STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1260

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: FEBRUARY 5, 1996

      The Assembly State Government Committee reports favorably Assembly, No. 1260.

      This bill provides for an increase in the number of debates in which candidates for the office of Governor are required to participate as a condition of receiving public financing. Under present law, two debates are held among publicly financed candidates in the primary election and two debates are held among publicly financed candidates in the general election. Under the bill, the number of debates in each case is to be increased to three.

      In addition, the bill would eliminate an existing provision of law that limits sponsorship of gubernatorial debates by non-news media entities to organizations "which have previously sponsored one or more televised debates among candidates for Statewide office in the State since 1976".

      The provisions of this legislation increasing the number of gubernatorial debates would implement a May 18, 1994 recommendation of the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.

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