State Legislative Process

The legislative process in New Jersey follows a typical bicameral structure with two chambers: the General Assembly and the Senate. 

Here is an overview of the legislative process in New Jersey:

1. Introduction of Bills:

   • Bills can be introduced in either the General Assembly or the Senate.
   • Members of the legislature, known as legislators, propose bills.

2. Committee Review:

   • Bills are assigned to committees for review and discussion.
   • Committees hold hearings, gather information, and may make amendments to the bill.

3. Floor Action:

   • After committee review, the bill is reported back to the chamber where it originated.
   • The bill goes to the floor for debate and a vote.
   • If approved, it moves to the other chamber.

4. Second Chamber:

   • In the second chamber (if the bill started in the Assembly, it moves to the Senate, and vice versa), the bill goes through a similar process of committee review and floor action.

5. Conference Committee (if necessary):

   • If the second chamber makes amendments to the bill, and the first chamber does not agree with those changes, a conference committee may be appointed.
   • The conference committee works to reconcile the differences between the two versions of the bill.

6. Final Approval:

   • Once both chambers agree on the final version of the bill, it goes to the governor for approval.

7. Governor's Action:

   • The governor can sign the bill into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature.
   • If the governor vetoes the bill, the legislature may override the veto with a two-thirds majority in each chamber.

8. Effective Date:

   • If signed by the governor, the bill becomes law and is assigned an effective date.

It's important to keep in mind that this is a general overview, and specific details may vary. For the most current and accurate information, it is recommended to check the official website of the New Jersey Legislature or other reliable sources.