New Jersey Assembly Bill A3002

New Jersey 2026-2027 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/13/26
• Refer: 1/13/26

Caption

Authorizes the Legislative Counsel in the Office of Legislative Services to accept proper and sufficient service of process on behalf of the State Legislature when either or both Houses are named defendants in any legal proceeding.

Impact

The proposed changes would amend existing law under P.L.1979, c.8 (C.52:11-61) to specify the ability of the Legislative Counsel to accept service of process. This is significant as it centralizes the handling of legal matters involving the Legislature, which may streamline the process of litigation involving the State Legislature. It reinforces the authority of the Legislative Counsel and provides a formal mechanism for dealing with legal notifications.

Summary

Assembly Bill A3002 aims to authorize the Legislative Counsel within the Office of Legislative Services in New Jersey to accept proper and sufficient service of process on behalf of the State Legislature when either or both Houses are named defendants in any legal proceeding. This bill seeks to clarify the responsibilities and roles of the Legislative Counsel regarding legal matters involving the legislative body, ensuring that legal notifications are efficiently processed and managed.

Contention

While the bill seeks to enhance the operational efficiency of the State Legislature in responding to legal challenges, there may be concerns regarding the implications of such centralization. Critics could argue that it may limit the ability of individual members or committees to address specific legal issues autonomously. Additionally, the effectiveness of this change in reducing legal liabilities faced by the legislature is yet to be debated, with varying opinions on the necessity and potential consequences of this amendment.