New Jersey 2026-2027 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A3149

Introduced
1/13/26  

Caption

Prohibits legislative aide who works, or worked, directly for legislator in district office from making political contribution greater than $30 per election to that legislator; prohibits receipt of such contribution.

Impact

If enacted, A3149 would have significant implications for campaign finance regulation within the state. The bill aims to promote transparency and accountability in the political process by ensuring that legislative aides cannot influence their legislators through financial contributions. This will likely lead to greater public trust in the political system as it addresses concerns about the intertwining of employment and financial support within legislative offices. Additionally, by making violations of this act a crime of the fourth degree, punishable by fine and imprisonment, the bill reinforces the seriousness of adhering to these ethical standards.

Summary

Assembly Bill A3149 aims to regulate campaign contributions made by legislative aides in New Jersey. Specifically, it prohibits aides who work or have worked directly for a legislator in their district office from making political contributions exceeding $30 per election to that legislator. Furthermore, it prohibits the legislator or anyone associated with their candidate committee from soliciting or knowingly accepting such contributions. By establishing this restriction, the bill seeks to enhance the ethical standards of political funding and prevent potential conflicts of interest associated with aides contributing to their direct supervisors in the legislative context.

Contention

There may be points of contention regarding the limitations set forth in A3149, particularly from those who argue that such restrictions could discourage political engagement among aides who may wish to support their legislators financially. While proponents may argue that the bill safeguards against undue influence and promotes fair political practices, critics might contend that it potentially limits the rights of individuals to politically express their support. The balance between ethical governance and personal political expression is likely to be a topic of discussion as the bill progresses through the legislative process.

Companion Bills

NJ A2619

Carry Over Prohibits legislative aide who works, or worked, directly for legislator in district office from making political contribution greater than $30 per election to that legislator; prohibits receipt of such contribution.

NJ S3748

Carry Over Prohibits legislative aide who works, or worked, directly for legislator in district office from making political contribution greater than $30 per election to that legislator; prohibits receipt of such contribution.

NJ S1591

Same As Prohibits legislative aide who works, or worked, directly for legislator in district office from making political contribution greater than $30 per election to that legislator; prohibits receipt of such contribution.

Similar Bills

NJ S1591

Prohibits legislative aide who works, or worked, directly for legislator in district office from making political contribution greater than $30 per election to that legislator; prohibits receipt of such contribution.

IL SB1354

TIF & ZONING ETHICS

CA AB953

Political Reform Act of 1974: contributions and expenditures by foreign nationals.

FL S0572

Ethics for Public Officers and Employees

OR SB916

Relating to unemployment insurance benefits for employees unemployed due to a labor dispute.

MT SB42

Provide for the partisan election of judges and justices

GA SB423

Government Transparency; campaign committees, independent committees, political action committees, and leadership committees from accepting contributions or donations from non-Georgia persons that exceed 50 percent of all contributions received; prohibit