Organization of the State Government
The government of the State of New Jersey, like that of the United States, is divided into three branches: the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. The principal function of the Legislature is to enact laws. The Executive branch, comprised of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and State agencies, carries out the programs established by law. Judiciary, which includes all courts, punishes violators and settles controversies and disputes. The Supreme Court is the final authority on the meaning and constitutionality of laws.
Legislators
The Legislature consists of two Houses, a 40-member Senate, and an 80-member General Assembly. A senator must be at least 30 years old, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New Jersey for four years prior to an election. A member of the General Assembly must be at least 21 years old, a United States citizen, and a resident of the State for at least two years prior to an election. In each case, the legislator must also have resided in his or her legislative district for one year prior to the election. Service in the Legislature is considered to be part-time and most legislators also hold other employment.
Legislative Districts
Legislators are elected from 40 legislative districts of substantially equal populations. The voters in each district elect one Senator and two members of the General Assembly. Every ten years, based on the results of the Federal census, the boundaries of the 40 districts are redrawn to maintain an equal population in each district.
Legislative Organization
Each House elects a presiding officer-the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the General Assembly. They are second and third in line of succession to the governorship after the Lieutenant Governor and may serve as Acting Governor. The President and the Speaker have broad powers within their respective Houses. They decide the meeting schedules and the daily calendar of bills to be considered, preside over the sessions, appoint committee chairs and members, refer bills to the committee for consideration, and direct the business of their Houses. Each party in each House also chooses a leader, assistant leaders, and “whips.” Party leaders help develop party policy on the issues before the Legislature.
Each House establishes standing reference committees to review legislation specific to subject areas. Much of the discussion on the merits of a bill takes place in committee. Representatives of interest groups and members of the public are generally given the opportunity to present their views at committee meetings.
How a Bill Becomes a Law
Any Senate or General Assembly member may propose or sponsor a new law. Ideas for laws can come from many sources, such as citizens, interest groups, public officials or the Governor. At the legislator’s direction, the idea is written as a bill, and other legislators may sign on as co-sponsors. The bill is introduced when the Senate Secretary or General Assemble Clerk reads the bill’s number, sponsor and title aloud during a legislative session
The bill is usually sent to a committee which studies it and makes changes (amendments) as needed. The committees have open meetings where the public may speak about the bill. If the committee approves the bill, it is reported back to the House where it began, and its title is read again
The bill only comes to a vote if scheduled by the Senate President or General Assembly Speaker. Then it is read again, debated and voted on by the House. A bill passes if it receives a majority of votes 21 in the Senate or 41 in the General Assembly.
The bill follows a similar path in the second House and only after both Houses agree on the bill will it be sent to the Governor to sign into law. If the bill is vetoed by the Governor, the legislature can make changes or override the veto with a 2/3rds majority.