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Legislator's Handbook New Jersey Legislature LEGISLATOR’S HANDBOOK OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES April 2020 To the Honorable Members of the Legislature: The Legislator’s Handbook provides a wealth of practical, procedural, and technical information to assist you and your staff. The nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services exists to provide professional staff support to you in the role of legislator. We hope you will avail yourselves of the many research, legal, fiscal, public information, technology, and administrative services we provide. Sincerely, The New Jersey Legislature Office of Legislative Services Peri A. Horowitz Executive Director iii PREFACE This handbook is designed to serve as an introduction to the Legislature and the legislative process for the members of the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly. It provides a summary of the powers, privileges, and prerogatives of members of the Legislature; an overview of legislative quarters; a description of the major laws, rules, traditions, and customs governing the organization and operation of the Legislature; and identification of the assistance available to legislators in the performance of their duties. While legislators are encouraged to use this handbook as a ready reference, it must be emphasized that this material is not a substitute for the official provisions regarding any duties, rights, responsibilities, or requirements pertaining to legislators or the legislative process as con - tained in the Constitution, the statutory law, the Legislative Code of Ethics, and the rules of the Senate or General Assembly. The Office of Legislative Services stands ready to expand upon the material contained in this handbook and to refer legislators to the appropriate provisions of the official sources. v TABLE OF CONTENTS PREFACE . v 1. LEGISLATIVE ORGANIZATION History of the New Jersey Legislature . 1 Composition of the Houses . 4 Reapportionment . 4 Qualifications for Office . 5 Terms of Office . 5 Oath of Office . 5 Conflicts of Interest . 6 Holding of Multiple Offices . 7 Forfeiture of Office . 8 Filling Vacancies . 8 Legislative Sessions . 9 Joint Sessions . 10 Special Sessions . 10 Legislative Officers . 11 Committees and Commissions . 12 2. LEGISLATIVE FACILITIES An Overview of the State House . 13 The State House Annex . 14 Legislative Quarters . 14 Facilities Management . 16 Public Tours . 16 Visitors with Special Needs . 17 vii Special Events . 17 Emergency Assistance . 18 Cafeteria and Welcome Center . 18 Parking . 18 3. L EGISLATIVE PROPOSALS AND TRIBUTES Bills . 19 Bill Statements . 19 Committee Statements . 19 Constitutional Amendments . 20 Fiscal Notes . 21 Joint Resolutions . 22 Concurrent Resolutions . 22 One-House Resolutions . 23 Bill Reprint Series . 23 Ceremonial Resolutions . 23 Commendations . 24 Citations and Memorials . 24 4. LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURES Legislative Powers and Functions . 25 Legislative Regulatory Oversight . 26 Advice and Consent . 27 Statutes and Laws . 27 Rules of the House . 27 Quorum . 27 How a Bill Becomes Law . 27 Role of the Prime Sponsor . 30 Co-Sponsorship . 31 Relieving a Committee of a Bill . 31 Identical Bills . 32 Substitution of Bills . 32 Roll Call Votes . 33 Reconsideration of Bills . 34 Voice Votes . 35 Vote on Motions . 36 House Under Call . 37 Limits on Debate . 37 Personal Privilege . 38 Pre-Filing of Bills and Resolutions . 38 viii Special and Local Laws . 39 The Budget and Appropriations Process . 39 5. LEGISLATIVE STAFF AND SERVICES Office of Legislative Services . 41 Requests for Bill Drafts, Research and Fiscal Analysis . 45 Committee Aides . 45 Legislative Computer and Information System . 46 Legislative Information and Bill Room . 46 Legislative Calendar and Legislative Digest . 47 Publications and Outreach Materials . 47 OLS Library . 48 Partisan Staff . 49 Legislative Administrative Officers . 50 Session Day Staff . 50 District Office Staff and Legislative Aides . 50 Lobbying by Legislative Staff . 50 6. OTHER PARTICIPANTS , M ATERIALS AND AIDS The Executive Branch . 51 Legislative Liaisons . 54 The Judicial Branch . 54 Administrative Rules . 55 Lobbyists and Governmental Affairs Agents . 55 State House Press . 57 Journal of the Senate and Minutes of Assembly . 57 Fitzgerald’s Legislative Manual . 58 State Contact Information . 58 State Library . 58 State Archives . 59 Professional Organizations . 59 Organization of the Laws of New Jersey . 60 7. BENEFITS AND PRACTICAL INFORMATION Salary . ..
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