An Act concerning the conduct of certain State government business and legislative sessions during periods of emergency or other exigency, and amending R.S.52:1-1 and P.L.1963, c.118.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. R.S.52:1-1 is amended to read as follows:
52:1-1. a. Trenton, in the county of Mercer, shall be the seat of the government of this State.
b. All sessions of the Legislature shall be held at Trenton or, on a temporary basis, for ceremonial or commemorative purposes or, notwithstanding section 1 of P.L.1963, c.118 (C.52:1-1.1), by reason of emergency or other exigency, at such other [place] locations in the State as shall be designated by the Legislature by concurrent resolution.
c. During a period of emergency or exigency, as determined by the Governor pursuant to the laws of this State or by the Legislature pursuant to concurrent resolution, the Legislature may use any technology or electronic means
to conduct its business or otherwise carry out its purposes, or
to comply with the requirements of paragraph 6 of Section IV of Article IV or, for the purpose of ensuring the continuity of governmental operations, of paragraph 4 of Section VI of Article IV of the Constitution of the State of New Jersey.
(cf: P.L.1979, c.209, s.1)
2. Section 1 of P.L.1963, c.118 (C.52:1-1.1) is amended to read as follows:
1. Whenever, due to an emergency [resulting from the effects of enemy attack,] or the anticipated effects of [threatened enemy attack] such emergency, it becomes imprudent, inexpedient or impossible to conduct the affairs of State Government at the normal location of the seat thereof in the city of Trenton in the county of Mercer, the Governor shall, as often as the exigencies of the situation require, by proclamation, declare an emergency temporary location, or locations, for the seat of Government at such place, or places, within or without this State as he may deem advisable under the circumstances, and shall take such action and issue such orders as may be necessary for an orderly transition of the affairs of State Government to such emergency temporary location, or locations. Such emergency temporary location, or locations, shall remain as the seat of Government until the Legislature shall by law establish a new location, or locations, or until the emergency is declared to be ended by the Governor and the seat of Government is returned to its normal location.
(cf: P.L.1963, c.118, s.1)
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill allows the conduct of State business and legislative sessions at locations other than Trenton during periods of emergency or other exigency.
The bill also allows the Legislature to use any technology or electronic means to conduct its business, to carry out its purposes, or to comply with the requirements of certain provisions of the New Jersey Constitution during a period of emergency that is determined to exist by the Governor or the Legislature.
Allows conduct of State business and legislative sessions at locations other than Trenton during periods of emergency or other exigency; allows conduct of legislative business using electronic means.