Requires Legislature to make bills and joint resolutions available to public on Legislature's website at least seven days before final vote.
Impact
If enacted, ACR54 would significantly alter the legislative process in New Jersey. The amendment stipulates that a bill or joint resolution cannot be voted on unless its final text has been publicly accessible online for at least seven days. This extended period for public review is expected to lead to more informed citizen participation and scrutiny of legislation. Additionally, the amendment retains an emergency provision, allowing a final vote to occur without the seven-day period if it receives approval from three-fourths of the legislative members, thereby accommodating urgent legislative needs.
Summary
ACR54 is a proposed constitutional amendment designed to enhance legislative transparency in New Jersey by mandating that all bills and joint resolutions be made available online to the public at least seven days before a final vote. The amendment aims to extend the current requirement of one day to a full week between the second reading and the third reading of legislative measures. This change is intended to ensure that the public has sufficient time to review proposed legislation before it is passed, fostering greater civic engagement and oversight of the legislative process.
Contention
The proposal has sparked debates regarding the balance between transparency and efficiency in the legislative process. Proponents argue that the additional waiting period promotes accountability and allows for wider public discourse about proposed laws. On the other hand, critics may express concerns that such delays could hinder timely legislative action, particularly for urgent matters that require immediate attention. The allowance for emergency votes could mitigate some of these concerns, but it also raises questions about what constitutes an 'emergency' and whether this provision might be misused.
Notable_points
The sponsor of ACR54 believes that the amendment would not only enhance public access to legislative documents but also establish standards for governmental transparency. This move aligns with broader trends in various states seeking to increase legislative accountability. The proposed amendment must pass through the necessary legislative channels before being put to the public vote, underscoring the democratic process at work in addressing concerns about legislative transparency.
Carry Over
Requires Legislature to make bills and joint resolutions available to public on Legislature's website at least seven days before final vote.
Carry Over
Requires Legislature to make bills and joint resolutions available to public on Legislature's website at least seven days before final vote.
Applying to the Congress of the United States to call a convention under Article V of the United States Constitution for the limited purpose of proposing one or more amendments to the constitution to impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, to limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and to limit the terms of office of federal officials and members of Congress.
Applying to the Congress of the United States to call a convention under Article V of the United States Constitution for the limited purpose of proposing one or more amendments to the constitution to impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, to limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and to limit the terms of office of federal officials and members of Congress.
Proposing An Amendment To Article Xvii, Section 3 Of The Hawaii Constitution To Specify That The Standard For Voter Approval Of A Constitutional Amendment Proposed By The Legislature Is A Majority Of All The Votes Tallied Upon The Question.
Proposing An Amendment To Article Xvii, Section 3 Of The Hawaii Constitution To Specify That The Standard For Voter Approval Of A Constitutional Amendment Proposed By The Legislature Is A Majority Of All The Votes Tallied Upon The Question.
Proposing An Amendment To Article Xvii, Section 3 Of The Hawaii State Constitution To Specify That The Standard For Voter Approval Of A Constitutional Amendment Proposed By The Legislature Is A Majority Of All The Votes Tallied Upon The Question.