Understanding The Process: Bills To Laws In New Jersey

The process of a bill becoming a law in New Jersey involves several steps and requirements. The state's legislature, consisting of a 40-member Senate and an 80-member General Assembly, plays a crucial role in facilitating the enactment of laws. A bill must pass through both houses, receive a majority vote, and gain the approval of the Governor to become a law. The public can also get involved by sharing their views at committee meetings or registering their position on a bill. Understanding the lawmaking process in New Jersey provides insight into how the state's laws are shaped and established.

Legislative committees and subcommittees

The committees are typically comprised of legislators with expertise or interest in the relevant subject area. They are responsible for holding hearings, gathering testimony, and reviewing the potential impact of the proposed legislation. This process allows for public input and ensures that all stakeholders have an opportunity to be heard.

In addition, the Legislature may form joint committees or legislative commissions to address issues that require collaboration between the two Houses. These joint committees often include legislators from both Houses, as well as other government officials, subject matter experts, and members of the public. They are tasked with handling joint business, studying complex issues, and making recommendations to the Legislature as a whole.

The work of legislative committees and subcommittees is an essential part of the lawmaking process in New Jersey. It ensures that proposed legislation is thoroughly vetted, amended as necessary, and aligned with the needs and interests of the state's citizens. The committees provide a mechanism for public participation and help to shape the final version of a bill before it is presented to the full Legislature for a vote.

The Legislature's website offers detailed information on the various committees, including their membership, schedules, and areas of responsibility. This transparency allows citizens to stay informed and engaged in the legislative process, ensuring that their voices are heard and represented in the laws that govern them.

Legislative sessions

Each New Jersey Legislature is in session for two years. All business conducted during the first year may be continued in the second year. At the end of the second year, all unfinished business expires. Typically, the Legislature meets on Mondays and Thursdays. Other days may be devoted to committee meetings and public hearings. Joint sessions are occasionally held, most often for an address by the Governor. Floor sessions and committee meetings are open to the public.

The Legislature may also propose amendments to the New Jersey Constitution. The proposed amendment must be passed by a vote of three-fifths of each House before being placed on the ballot in November for a public vote. An amendment may also be presented to the voters if the Legislature passes it two years in a row by a simple majority vote.

The Legislature has additional powers, including enacting an annual appropriation bill outlining all state spending, senatorial approval of the Governor's appointments, and the ratification of amendments to the U.S. Constitution. It also has the power of judgment on the elections and qualifications of its members, the institution and conduct of impeachment proceedings against state officials, and the review of administrative rules and regulations.

Legislative elections

The senators serve four-year terms, except for the first term of a new decade, which is only two years. This "2-4-4" cycle allows for elections from new districts as soon as possible after each reapportionment. Members of the Assembly serve two-year terms.

To be eligible to run for the New Jersey General Assembly, a candidate must be a citizen of the United States, have resided in the district they plan to represent for no less than two years, be 21 years of age or older, obtain 100 signatures via petition, and submit the signatures to the New Jersey Secretary of State. They must also disclose any criminal convictions.

The 2023 New Jersey General Assembly elections were held on November 7, 2023, and saw Democrats expand their majority in the chamber. This was the first election after redistricting following the 2020 US census.

Legislative organisation

The New Jersey Legislature is divided into two Houses: the 40-member Senate and the 80-member General Assembly. Each House elects a presiding officer: the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the General Assembly, who are second and third in line of succession to the governorship after the Lieutenant Governor. The President and Speaker have broad powers within their respective Houses, including deciding on meeting schedules, appointing committee chairs and members, and referring bills to committees for consideration. Each party in each House also chooses a leader, assistant leaders, and "whips", who help develop party policies on issues before the Legislature.

The Houses establish standing reference committees to review legislation specific to subject areas. These committees debate the merits of a bill, and representatives of interest groups and members of the public are generally given the opportunity to present their views. Once a bill has passed through committee, it must pass both Houses by a majority vote and be approved by the Governor to become law.

The Legislature also has additional powers, including enacting an annual appropriation bill outlining all state spending, approving the Governor's appointments, ratifying amendments to the U.S. Constitution, and judging the elections and qualifications of its members. Each Legislature is in session for two years, and business may be carried over from the first year into the second.

Legislative districts

The state of New Jersey is apportioned into 40 legislative districts with approximately equal populations. Each legislative district is represented by one senator and two Assembly members.

If you are unsure which legislative district you belong to, you can find out by selecting your city or town in the "District- Filter by Municipality" dropdown on the legislative roster page. If you are a resident of Newark or Jersey City, be aware that these cities are divided between two legislative districts. All wards and voting districts are listed in the same "District- Filter by Municipality" dropdown. You can also find your ward and district by putting in your address at the New Jersey Division of Elections – Polling Place Search page.

The municipalities listing only includes the names of incorporated municipalities, not local or post office names. If you don’t see the name of your town, you can look it up in the NJDOT Local Names Index to see which municipality it belongs to. For example, Newark for The Ironbound, Woodbridge Township for Iselin, or Lacey Township for Forked River.

Frequently asked questions