ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5725

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 18, 2021

      The Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 5725, with committee amendments.

     As amended by the committee, this bill amends existing law to change the date on which members of the municipal committee of a political party take office from the first Saturday to by the third Saturday following their election as members of the county committee.  The bill also provides that the annual meeting of a municipal committee will be held by the third Saturday following the primary election for the general election rather than on the first Monday after that election.

     Similarly, the members of the county committee of a political party will take office by the third Saturday, rather than on the first Saturday, following the primary election.  The bill also provides that the annual meeting of a county committee will be held by the third Saturday, rather than on the first Tuesday, following the primary election.

     As amended, the bill allows municipal or county committee members to take office by the date specified, instead of on the specific date.

     In addition, the bill amends existing law to transfer responsibility for the issuance of certificates of election to county boards and successful candidates for county committee member from municipal clerks to county clerks.  This will help to ensure that write-in votes, vote by mail ballots, and provisional ballots will be included in the vote count before such certificates are issued.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to allow municipal and county committee members to take office and hold their reorganization meeting by the date specified, instead of on the specific date.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      This bill is not certified as requiring a fiscal note.