SENATE STATE GOVERNMENT, WAGERING, TOURISM & HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 3242

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JANUARY 14, 2021

      The Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 3242.

      This bill would prohibit certain public officials from campaigning for election to public office during the term of their public service and for a period of three years afterwards.  The bill would apply to the Attorney General and the First Assistant Attorney General, and all county prosecutors, assistant prosecutors, and legal assistants to prosecutors.

      Currently, certain restrictions already apply to county prosecutors, assistant prosecutors, and legal assistants to prosecutors.  The restrictions require that no person who holds any of these positions could (1) be a candidate for election to, or hold, any elective public office or any office or position with any political party or club, or (2) in connection with the candidacy of any person for public office, sign or authorize the use of his name in connection with political or campaign literature or material, or print, publish or distribute such political or campaign literature or material.  Under the bill, these restrictions would extend to the Attorney General and First Assistant Attorney General.

      The bill would also prohibit county prosecutors, assistant prosecutors, and legal assistants to prosecutors from being a candidate for election to, or from holding, the office or position of delegate or alternate to the national convention of any political party.

      In addition, the bill provides that the Attorney General, First Assistant to the Attorney General, county prosecutors, assistant prosecutors, and legal assistants to prosecutors could not be a candidate for, or hold, elective public office for a period of three years immediately following the termination of that person’s service in the position.

      The intent of this bill is to prevent persons who are holding positions of public trust from misusing those positions for political gain.