New Jersey General Assembly

General Information
Party control: |  Democrat
Session start: |  January 9, 2024
Session end: |  December 31, 2024
Term length: |  2 years
Term limits: |  None
Redistricting: | Commission
Salary: |  $49,000/year
Members
Total: | 80
Democrats: | 52
Republicans: | 28
Other: | 0
Vacancies: | 0
Leadership
Speaker: |  Craig Coughlin (D)
Maj. Leader: |  Louis Greenwald (D)
Min. Leader: |  John DiMaio (R)
Elections
Last election: | November 7, 2023
Next election: | November 4, 2025

The New Jersey General Assembly is the lower chamber of the New Jersey State Legislature. Alongside the New Jersey State Senate, it forms the legislative branch of the New Jersey state government and works alongside the governor of New Jersey to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the New Jersey General Assembly include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The New Jersey General Assembly meets in the State House in Trenton, New Jersey.

* All 80 seats in the New Jersey General Assembly were up for election in 2023.

* In the 2023 elections, Democrats increased their majority from 46-34 to 52-28. Click to read more »
* New Jersey has a Democratic trifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

This page contains the following information on the New Jersey General Assembly.

* Which party controls the chamber
* The chamber's current membership
* Partisan control of the chamber over time
* Elections in the chamber and how vacancies are filled
* A district map
* How redistricting works in the state
* Legislation currently under consideration
* Legislative session dates
* Legislative procedures, such as veto overrides and the state budget process
* A list of committees

## Contents

* 1 Party control
* 1.1 Current partisan control
* 2 Members
* 2.1 Leadership
* 2.2 Leadership and members
* 2.3 Salaries
* 2.4 Swearing in dates
* 2.5 Membership qualifications
* 3 Historical party control
* 3.1 Trifecta history
* 4 Elections
* 4.1 Elections by year
* 4.2 2025
* 4.3 2023
* 4.4 2021
* 4.5 2019
* 4.6 2017
* 4.7 2015
* 4.8 2013
* 4.9 2011
* 4.10 2009
* 4.11 2007
* 4.12 2005
* 4.13 2003
* 4.14 2001
* 4.15 Vacancies
* 5 District map
* 6 Redistricting
* 6.1 2020
* 6.1.1 District map after 2020 redistricting
* 6.2 2010
* 7 Sessions
* 7.1 Legislation
* 7.2 Dates of legislative sessions in New Jersey by year
* 7.3 2024
* 7.4 2023
* 7.5 2022
* 7.6 2021
* 7.7 2020
* 7.7.1 Effect of coronavirus pandemic
* 7.8 2019
* 7.9 2018
* 7.10 2017
* 7.11 2016
* 7.12 2015
* 7.12.1 Major issues in 2015
* 7.13 2014
* 7.13.1 Major issues in 2014
* 7.14 2013
* 7.14.1 Major issues in 2013
* 7.15 2012
* 7.16 2011
* 7.17 2010
* 7.18 About legislative sessions in New Jersey
* 8 Legislative roles and procedures
* 8.1 Veto overrides
* 8.2 Role in state budget
* 9 Committees
* 10 Constitutional amendments
* 10.1 Legislature
* 11 See also
* 12 External links
* 13 Footnotes

## Party control[edit]

### Current partisan control[edit]

The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the New Jersey General Assembly as of September 2024:

Party  | As of September 2024

|

| Democratic Party | 52
| Republican Party | 28
| Other  | 0
| Vacancies  | 0
Total |  80

## Members[edit]

### Leadership[edit]

The speaker of the Assembly is the presiding officer of the body.[1]

### Leadership and members[edit]

* House speaker: Craig Coughlin (D)
* Majority leader: Louis Greenwald (D)
* Minority leader: John DiMaio (R)

Office | Name | Party | Date assumed office

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New Jersey General Assembly District 1 | Antwan McClellan | Republican  | January 14, 2020
New Jersey General Assembly District 1 | Erik Simonsen | Republican  | January 14, 2020
New Jersey General Assembly District 2 | Don Guardian | Republican  | January 11, 2022
New Jersey General Assembly District 2 | Claire Swift | Republican  | January 11, 2022
New Jersey General Assembly District 3 | Dave Bailey Jr. | Democratic  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 3 | Heather Simmons | Democratic  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 4 | Dan Hutchison | Democratic  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 4 | Cody Miller | Democratic  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 5 | William F. Moen Jr. | Democratic  | January 14, 2020
New Jersey General Assembly District 5 | William W. Spearman | Democratic  | July 1, 2018
New Jersey General Assembly District 6 | Louis D. Greenwald | Democratic  | 1996
New Jersey General Assembly District 6 | Pamela R. Lampitt | Democratic  | 2006
New Jersey General Assembly District 7 | Herbert C. Conaway Jr. | Democratic  | 1998
New Jersey General Assembly District 7 | Carol Murphy | Democratic  | 2018
New Jersey General Assembly District 8 | Andrea Katz | Democratic  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 8 | Michael Torrissi Jr. | Republican  | January 11, 2022
New Jersey General Assembly District 9 | Gregory E. Myhre | Republican  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 9 | Brian Rumpf | Republican  | 2003
New Jersey General Assembly District 10 | Paul Kanitra | Republican  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 10 | Gregory P. McGuckin | Republican  | 2012
New Jersey General Assembly District 11 | Margie M. Donlon | Democratic  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 11 | Luanne M. Peterpaul | Democratic  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 12 | Robert Clifton | Republican  | 2012
New Jersey General Assembly District 12 | Alex Sauickie | Republican  | September 15, 2022
New Jersey General Assembly District 13 | Victoria A. Flynn | Republican  | January 11, 2022
New Jersey General Assembly District 13 | Gerard Scharfenberger | Republican  | January 14, 2020
New Jersey General Assembly District 14 | Wayne P. DeAngelo | Democratic  | 2008
New Jersey General Assembly District 14 | Tennille R. McCoy | Democratic  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 15 | Verlina Reynolds-Jackson | Democratic  | February 15, 2018
New Jersey General Assembly District 15 | Anthony S. Verrelli | Democratic  | 2018
New Jersey General Assembly District 16 | Mitchelle Drulis | Democratic  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 16 | Roy Freiman | Democratic  | 2018
New Jersey General Assembly District 17 | Joseph Danielsen | Democratic  | 2014
New Jersey General Assembly District 17 | Kevin Egan | Democratic  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 18 | Robert J. Karabinchak | Democratic  | 2016
New Jersey General Assembly District 18 | Sterley S. Stanley | Democratic  | January 27, 2021
New Jersey General Assembly District 19 | Craig J. Coughlin | Democratic  | 2010
New Jersey General Assembly District 19 | Yvonne Lopez | Democratic  | 2018
New Jersey General Assembly District 20 | Reginald W. Atkins | Democratic  | January 11, 2022
New Jersey General Assembly District 20 | Annette Quijano | Democratic  | 2008
New Jersey General Assembly District 21 | Michele Matsikoudis | Republican  | January 11, 2022
New Jersey General Assembly District 21 | Nancy Muñoz | Republican  | 2009
New Jersey General Assembly District 22 | Linda Carter | Democratic  | May 24, 2018
New Jersey General Assembly District 22 | James Kennedy | Democratic  | 2016
New Jersey General Assembly District 23 | John DiMaio | Republican  | 2009
New Jersey General Assembly District 23 | Erik Peterson | Republican  | 2009
New Jersey General Assembly District 24 | Dawn Fantasia | Republican  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 24 | Michael Inganamort | Republican  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 25 | Christian Barranco | Republican  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 25 | Aura Kenny Dunn | Republican  | February 1, 2020
New Jersey General Assembly District 26 | Brian Bergen | Republican  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 26 | Jay Webber | Republican  | 2008
New Jersey General Assembly District 27 | Rosy Bagolie | Democratic  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 27 | Alixon Collazos-Gill | Democratic  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 28 | Garnet Hall | Democratic  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 28 | Cleopatra Tucker | Democratic  | 2008
New Jersey General Assembly District 29 | Eliana Pintor Marin | Democratic  | 2013
New Jersey General Assembly District 29 | Shanique Speight | Democratic  | 2018
New Jersey General Assembly District 30 | Sean Kean | Republican  | 2012
New Jersey General Assembly District 30 | Avi Schnall | Democratic  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 31 | William Sampson | Democratic  | January 11, 2022
New Jersey General Assembly District 31 | Barbara McCann Stamato | Democratic  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 32 | John Allen | Democratic  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 32 | Jessica Ramirez | Democratic  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 33 | Julio Marenco | Democratic  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 33 | Gabriel Rodriguez | Democratic  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 34 | Carmen Morales | Democratic  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 34 | Michael Venezia | Democratic  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 35 | Shavonda Sumter | Democratic  | 2012
New Jersey General Assembly District 35 | Benjie Wimberly | Democratic  | 2012
New Jersey General Assembly District 36 | Clinton Calabrese | Democratic  | February 8, 2018
New Jersey General Assembly District 36 | Gary Schaer | Democratic  | 2006
New Jersey General Assembly District 37 | Shama Haider | Democratic  | January 11, 2022
New Jersey General Assembly District 37 | Ellen Park | Democratic  | January 11, 2022
New Jersey General Assembly District 38 | Lisa Swain | Democratic  | May 24, 2018
New Jersey General Assembly District 38 | P. Christopher Tully | Democratic  | May 24, 2018
New Jersey General Assembly District 39 | Robert Auth | Republican  | 2014
New Jersey General Assembly District 39 | John Azzariti | Republican  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 40 | Al Barlas | Republican  | January 9, 2024
New Jersey General Assembly District 40 | Christopher DePhillips | Republican  | January 9, 2018

### Salaries[edit]

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislative salaries, 2024[2]

Salary| Per diem
$49,000/year| No per diem is paid.

### Swearing in dates[edit]

See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

New Jersey legislators assume office at noon on the second Tuesday in January following the election.[3]

### Membership qualifications[edit]

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

In order to qualify as a candidate for the New Jersey General Assembly, a candidate must:[4]

* Be a citizen of the United States
* Be 21 years of age or older
* Be a registered voter
* Reside in the state for a minimum of two years prior to the general election
* Reside in the legislative district for one year prior to the general election

## Historical party control[edit]

Democrats won control of the New Jersey General Assembly in 2001. In 2023, they won a 52-28 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the New Jersey General Assembly following every general election from 1991 to 2023. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

New Jersey General Assembly election results: 1991-2023

Year  | '91  | '93  | '95  | '97  | '99  | '01  | '03  | '05  | '07  | '09  | '11  | '13  | '15  | '17  | '19  | '21  | '23

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Democrats | 22 | 27 | 30 | 32 | 35 | 44 | 47 | 48 | 48 | 47 | 48 | 48 | 52 | 54 | 52 | 46 | 52
Republicans | 58 | 53 | 50 | 48 | 45 | 36 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 32 | 32 | 28 | 26 | 28 | 34 | 28

### Trifecta history[edit]

A state government trifecta is a term that describes single-party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023 New Jersey was under the following types of trifecta control:

* Democratic trifecta: 2004-2009, 2018-2023
* Republican trifecta: 1994-2001
* Divided government: 1992-1993, 2002-2003, 2010-2017

New Jersey Party Control: 1992-2024
Thirteen years of Democratic trifectas • Eight years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year  | 92  | 93  | 94  | 95  | 96  | 97  | 98  | 99  | 00  | 01  | 02  | 03  | 04  | 05  | 06  | 07  | 08  | 09  | 10  | 11  | 12  | 13  | 14  | 15  | 16  | 17  | 18  | 19  | 20  | 21  | 22  | 23  | 24

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Governor | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D
Senate | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | S | S | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D
Assembly | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D | D

## Elections[edit]

### Elections by year[edit]

New Jersey state assembly members serve two-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years. New Jersey holds elections for its legislature in odd years.

Four states, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey and Virginia hold their state legislative elections in odd-numbered years. New Jersey began holding elections in odd-numbered years when the state adopted a new constitution in 1947. Prior to the new constitution, members of the Assembly were elected to one-year terms, members of the Senate to three-year terms and governors to three-year terms. The new constitution changed the term structure to include two years for representatives and four-year terms for senators and governors. Because the constitution was adopted in an odd-numbered year, elections were also held in odd-numbered years and have continued in such a manner to this day.[5]

### 2025[edit]

See also: New Jersey General Assembly elections, 2025

Elections for the New Jersey General Assembly will take place in 2025. The general election is on November 4, 2025.

### 2023[edit]

See also: New Jersey General Assembly elections, 2023

Elections for the New Jersey General Assembly took place in 2023. The general election was on November 7, 2023. A primary was June 6, 2023. The filing deadline was March 27, 2023.

In the 2023 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the New Jersey General Assembly from 46-34 to 52-28.

New Jersey General Assembly

Party  | As of November 7, 2023  | After November 8, 2023
| Democratic Party | 46 | 52
| Republican Party | 34  | 28
Total |  80 |  80

### 2021[edit]

See also: New Jersey General Assembly elections, 2021

Elections for the New Jersey General Assembly took place in 2021. The primary was on June 8, 2021, and the general election was on November 2. The filing deadline for candidates was April 5, 2021.[6]

New Jersey General Assembly

Party  | As of November 2, 2021  | After November 3, 2021
| Democratic Party | 52 | 46
| Republican Party | 28  | 34
Total |  80 |  80

### 2019[edit]

See also: New Jersey General Assembly elections, 2019

Elections for the New Jersey General Assembly took place in 2019. The primary was on June 4, 2019, and the general election was on November 5. The filing deadline for candidates was April 1, 2019.

New Jersey General Assembly

Party  | As of November 5, 2019  | After November 6, 2019
| Democratic Party | 54 | 52
| Republican Party | 26  | 28
Total |  80 |  80

### 2017[edit]

See also: New Jersey General Assembly elections, 2017

Elections for the New Jersey General Assembly took place in 2017. All 80 seats were up for election. State assembly members are elected to two-year terms. The general election took place on November 7, 2017. A primary election took place on June 6, 2017. The filing deadline for the primary election was April 3, 2017.[7] Legislative districts in the New Jersey General Assembly are multi-member districts, with two representatives in each district. In Democratic and Republican primary elections, the top two candidates move forward to the general election, and the top two candidates in the general election are declared the winners.[8]

New Jersey General Assembly

Party  | Before November 7 elections  | After November 7 elections
| Democratic Party | 52 | 54
| Republican Party | 28  | 26
Total |  80 |  80

### 2015[edit]

See also: New Jersey General Assembly elections, 2015

Elections for the New Jersey General Assembly took place in 2015. A primary election was held on June 2, 2015. The general election took place on November 3, 2015. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 30, 2015.[9] All 80 seats were up for election in 2015.

Heading into the election, Democrats held a 48-31 majority with one vacancy. Democrats gained four seats in the election, giving them a 52-28 majority.

New Jersey General Assembly

Party  | As of November 3, 2015  | After November 3, 2015
| Democratic Party | 48 | 52
| Republican Party | 31  | 28
| Vacancy  | 1  | 0
Total |  80 |  80
Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2001

### 2013[edit]

See also: New Jersey General Assembly elections, 2013

Elections for the office of New Jersey General Assembly consisted of a primary election on June 4, 2013, and a general election on November 5, 2013. All 80 seats were up for election in 2013.

Heading into the election, Democrats held a 48-32 majority. No partisan change occurred in the election.

| New Jersey General Assembly

Party  | As of November 4, 2013  | After the 2013 Election
| Democratic Party | 48 | 48
| Republican Party | 32  | 32
Total |  80 |  80

### 2011[edit]

See also: New Jersey General Assembly elections, 2011

Elections for the office of the New Jersey General Assembly consisted of a primary election on April 10, 2011, and a general election on November 8, 2011. The candidate filing deadline was January 7, 2011. All 80 seats were up for election in 2011.

Heading into the election, Democrats held a 47-33 majority. Democrats gained one seat in the election, giving them a 48-32 majority.

New Jersey General Assembly

Party  | As of November 2011  | After the 2011 Election
| Democratic Party | 47 | 48
| Republican Party | 33  | 32
Total |  80 |  80

During the 2011 election, the total value of contributions to the 215 Assembly candidates was $25,001,973. The top 10 contributors were:[10]

2011 Donors, New Jersey General Assembly

Donor  | Amount
New Jersey State Laborers  | $344,500
New Jersey Education Association  | $325,900
New Jersey Republican Party  | $296,965
New Jersey Regional Council of Carpenters  | $296,950
Election Fund of Cook Conaway & Singleton  | $245,493
New Jersey Association of Realtors  | $242,450
1199 Seiu United Healthcare Workers East  | $185,400
Communications Workers New Jersey  | $162,500
Cmte to Elect Lesniak Cryan & Quijano  | $157,485
Democratic Assembly Campaign Cmte  | $155,183

### 2009[edit]

See also: New Jersey General Assembly elections, 2009

Elections for the office of the New Jersey General Assembly consisted of a primary election on June 9, 2009, and a general election on November 10, 2009.

During the 2009 election, the total value of contributions to the Assembly candidates was $25,487,974. The top 10 contributors were:[11]

2009 Donors, New Jersey General Assembly

Donor  | Amount
Fund of Joe Roberts Assembly Speaker  | $861,000
New Jersey Education Association  | $367,675
New Jersey Association of Realtors  | $263,375
New Jersey Business & Industry Association  | $220,475
Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 9  | $214,825
New Jersey Regional Council of Carpenters  | $212,710
Republican National Cmte  | $174,340
Electrical Workers Local 351  | $149,400
New Jersey Dental Association  | $146,825
New Jersey Democratic Party  | $146,623

### 2007[edit]

See also: New Jersey General Assembly elections, 2007

Elections for the office of the New Jersey General Assembly consisted of a primary election on June 5, 2007, and a general election on November 6, 2007.

During the 2007 election, the total value of contributions to the Assembly candidates was $26,388,602. The top 10 contributors were:[12]

2007 Donors, New Jersey General Assembly

Donor  | Amount
Public Fund | $2,687,684
Panter & Mallet for Assembly  | $935,740
Hudson County Democratic Organization  | $803,942
New Jersey Republican Party  | $573,008
New Jersey Regional Council of Carpenters | $269,750
New Jersey Association of Realtors | $268,700
New Jersey State Laborers  | $248,850
New Jersey Business & Industry Association | $205,735
New Jersey Education Association | $194,885
Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 9 | $191,950

### 2005[edit]

See also: New Jersey General Assembly elections, 2005

Elections for the office of the New Jersey General Assembly consisted of a primary election on June 7, 2005, and a general election on November 8, 2005.

During the 2005 election, the total value of contributions to the Assembly candidates was $23,299,489. The top 10 contributors were:[13]

2005 Donors, New Jersey General Assembly

Donor  | Amount
Assembly Republican Victory 2005  | $721,223
West New York Municipal Democratic Cmte  | $368,200
Public Fund  | $260,400
New Jersey Education Association  | $247,225
New Jersey State Laborers  | $244,300
New Jersey Association of Realtors  | $237,200
New Democratic Leadership Pac  | $235,917
Doherty & Reilly for Assembly  | $211,900
New Jersey Business & Industry Association  | $210,620
New Jersey Regional Council of Carpenters  | $159,950

### 2003[edit]

See also: New Jersey General Assembly elections, 2003

Elections for the office of the New Jersey General Assembly consisted of a primary election on June 3, 2003, and a general election on November 4, 2003.

During the 2003 election, the total value of contributions to the Assembly candidates was $15,682,188. The top 10 contributors were:[14]

2003 Donors, New Jersey General Assembly

Donor  | Amount
Hudson County Democratic Organization  | $566,802
New Jersey New Democratic Assembly Leadership  | $540,717
Assembly Republican Majority  | $429,263
New Democratic Assembly Leadership Pac  | $390,763
Camden County Democratic Cmte  | $377,229
New Jersey Democratic Party  | $279,900
New Jersey Education Association  | $175,132
New Jersey State Laborers  | $171,767
Medical Society of New Jersey  | $146,967
Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 9  | $125,825

### 2001[edit]

See also: New Jersey General Assembly elections, 2001

Elections for the office of the New Jersey General Assembly consisted of a primary election on June 26, 2001, and a general election on November 6, 2001.

During the 2001 election, the total value of contributions to the Assembly candidates was $12,642,876. The top 10 contributors were:[15]

2001 Donors, New Jersey General Assembly

Donor  | Amount
Assembly Republican Majority of New Jersey  | $732,379
Camden County Democratic Cmte  | $460,450
New Jersey Democratic Party  | $444,370
Gloucester County Democratic Executive Cmte  | $306,000
Republican National State Elections Cmte  | $260,653
First Jersey Cmte  | $254,125
Democratic National Cmte  | $241,641
Cape May County Democratic Organization  | $230,000
New Jersey Education Association  | $219,572
Doria Democratic Leadership Fund  | $204,500

### Vacancies[edit]

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the New Jersey State Legislature, the vacancy will be filled by an interim appointment by the county leadership of the political party that holds the seat. The office will be on the ballot in the next general election, unless the vacancy occurs within 51 days of the election. If that is the case, the appointment would stand until the following general election.[16][17]

See sources: New Jersey Const., Art. IV, Sec. IV(1)

## District map[edit]

See also: New Jersey state legislative districts

The state of New Jersey has 40 legislative districts. General Assembly members are elected from the same legislative districts as are members of the New Jersey State Senate. Each district elects two assembly members but only one senator.

Use the interactive map below to find your district.

## Redistricting[edit]

See also: Redistricting in New Jersey

In New Jersey, congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by two distinct politician commissions. The congressional redistricting commission comprises the following 13 members:[18]

1. The majority and minority leaders of each chamber of the New Jersey State Legislature appoint two commissioners a piece (for a total of eight members).
2. The chairs of the state's two major political parties each appoint two members to the commission (for a total of four members). Commissioners appointed by the political parties cannot be members of Congress or congressional employees.
3. The first 12 commissioners appoint the last member. This member cannot have held public office in the state within the previous five-year period. If the first 12 commissioners cannot agree on an appointment, they must submit two names to the New Jersey Supreme Court. The court must then appoint the final commissioner.

If the congressional redistricting commission fails to reach an agreement about a redistricting plan, it must submit two plans to the state Supreme Court, which must in turn select from those two plans a final map.[18]

The state legislative redistricting commission comprises 10 members. The chairs of the state's two major political parties each appoint five members to the commission. In the event that this commission is unable to reach an agreement about a redistricting plan, the state Supreme Court may appoint a tie-breaking member.[18]

State law requires that state legislative districts meet the following criteria:[18]

1. Districts must be contiguous.
2. Districts "must be as nearly compact as possible."
3. Municipalities "must be kept intact, except where otherwise required by law."

There are no such requirements in place for congressional districts.[18]

### 2020[edit]

See also: Redistricting in New Jersey after the 2020 census

On February 18, 2022, the New Jersey Legislative Reapportionment Commission voted to approve a new set of state legislative maps.[19] The commission voted 9-2 to approve the maps. Thomas Kean Jr. (R) and Cosmo A. Cirillo (D) were the two dissenting votes.[20] The New Jersey Monitor's Nikita Biryukov wrote that the vote was "an unprecedented compromise for a commission that has historically relied on a court-appointed tiebreaker to end partisan gridlock."[19] These maps took effect for New Jersey's 2023 legislative elections.

#### District map after 2020 redistricting[edit]

Click here to view the enacted map. This map took effect for New Jersey's 2023 legislative elections.

### 2010[edit]

See also: Redistricting in New Jersey after the 2010 census

New Jersey received its local census data on February 3, 2011, the state's population grew five percent from 2000 to 2010.[21][22]

The Redistricting Commission had 60 days to decide on a map after receiving its local census data. With the commission unable to agree on a map within 30 days, Rutgers law professor Alan Rosenthal was appointed as the nonpartisan 11th member of the commission as required by state law When a compromise could not be reached, he cast the tie-breaking vote to approve a new map on April 3, 2011.[23]

## Sessions[edit]

### Legislation[edit]

The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the New Jersey General Assembly has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Senate to the House and legislation that has already been approved by the House and signed by the governor after its passage in the Senate. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated by BillTrack50.

### Dates of legislative sessions in New Jersey by year[edit]

### 2024[edit]

See also: 2024 New Jersey legislative session and Dates of 2024 state legislative sessions

In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 9, 2024, and adjourn on December 31, 2024.

### 2023[edit]

See also: 2023 New Jersey legislative session and Dates of 2023 state legislative sessions

In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 10, 2023, and adjourn on January 8, 2024.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

### 2022[edit]

See also: 2022 New Jersey legislative session and Dates of 2022 state legislative sessions

In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 11, 2022, and adjourn on December 31, 2022.

### 2021[edit]

See also: 2021 New Jersey legislative session and Dates of 2021 state legislative sessions

In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 4, 2021, and adjourn on January 11, 2022.

### 2020[edit]

See also: 2020 New Jersey legislative session and Dates of 2020 state legislative sessions

In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 14, 2020, and adjourn on December 17, 2020.

#### Effect of coronavirus pandemic[edit]

See also: Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Coronavirus pandemic
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Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.

### 2019[edit]

See also: 2019 New Jersey legislative session and Dates of 2019 state legislative sessions

In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2019, through January 14, 2020.

### 2018[edit]

See also: 2018 New Jersey legislative session and Dates of 2018 state legislative sessions

In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 9, 2018, through January 8, 2019. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here.

### 2017[edit]

See also: Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions and Potential government shutdowns

In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 10, 2017, through January 9, 2018.

Click [show] to read about the 2017 partial government shutdown.

* New Jersey's three-day partial government shutdown came to an end on July 4, 2017, after Gov. Chris Christie (R) signed a $34.7 billion state budget into law.[24] The New Jersey government went into a partial shutdown on July 1, 2017, after Democratic leadership in the Legislature and Christie failed to reach an agreement over the budget by the start of the new fiscal year. New Jersey last experienced a partial government shutdown in 2006. The budget impasse in 2017 centered on a proposal by Christie to restructure Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, the state's largest health insurance company. Christie said he would not sign the budget, which included over $325 million in funding for Democratic priorities, unless it included the Horizon legislation. Both Christie and Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D) were in favor of including legislation in the state budget that would allow for more government oversight of the insurance provider. The legislation would have also required Horizon to dedicate its excess surplus to fund drug treatment programs. Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D) opposed the legislation, arguing that it could increase premiums for Horizon's policyholders. Fearing that Christie might line-item veto Democratic-backed proposals in the budget if the Horizon legislation was not included, many members of the Legislature abstained from voting on the budget which led to the shutdown.[25]

* On July 3, 2017, the Legislature and Christie reached an agreement to end the shutdown but the legislation was not signed until the early morning of June 4, 2017. The $34.7 billion budget included increased spending for education and healthcare and also established a cap on Horizon's reserves. Instead of the excess surplus going to fund drug treatment programs, the budget required the money to be used to limit future premium increases for Horizon's 3.8 million policyholders. The legislation also added two public members to Horizon's board.[26]

* The Assembly voted 53-23 in favor of the budget, while the state Senate backed it 21-14.[26]

### 2016[edit]

See also: Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions

In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 12 through January 10, 2017.

### 2015[edit]

See also: Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions

In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 13 through January 11, 2016.

#### Major issues in 2015[edit]

Major issues in the 2015 legislative session included pension reform, funding the Transportation Trust Fund, property taxes, and bills aimed at improving the economic climate in Atlantic City after the closing of three casinos in a short span of time.[27]

### 2014[edit]

See also: Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions

In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 14 through January 12, 2015.

#### Major issues in 2014[edit]

Major issues in the 2014 legislative session included lowering property taxes, establishing the "Hurricane Sandy Bill of Rights," pay equity for women, funding for women’s health care, and making college more affordable.[28]

### 2013[edit]

See also: Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions

In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 10, 2013, to January 13, 2014.

#### Major issues in 2013[edit]

Major issues in the 2013 legislative session included rebuilding the state after superstorm Sandy and gun control.[29]

### 2012[edit]

See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions

In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 10, 2012, to January 9, 2013.

### 2011[edit]

In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 12, 2011, to January 9, 2012.[30]

### 2010[edit]

In 2010, the legislature convened on January 12, and remained  in session throughout the year.[31]

### About legislative sessions in New Jersey[edit]

The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.[32] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions, legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

Article IV of the New Jersey Constitution establishes when the New Jersey State Legislature, of which the General Assembly is a part, is to be in session. Section 1 of Article IV states that each annual session is to begin on the second Tuesday of January. The session does not end until the beginning of the next annual session or until the Legislature chooses to adjourn.

Section 1 also allows for special sessions of the Legislature to be called by the Governor of New Jersey or by a majority of the members of each legislative house.

## Legislative roles and procedures[edit]

Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includes veto overrides, the role of the legislature in the state budget, procedures for filling membership vacancies, and redistricting.

### Veto overrides[edit]

See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in New Jersey are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members in both chambers.

Two-thirds of members in both chambers must vote to override a veto, which is 54 of the 80 members in the New Jersey General Assembly and 27 of the 40 members in the New Jersey State Senate. New Jersey is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto.

How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?

According to Article V, Section 1 of the New Jersey Constitution, vetoes issued during the first year of the legislative session can be overridden in a special veto session that automatically occurs 45 days following adjournment.

Authority: Article V, Section 1 of the New Jersey Constitution.

"Upon receiving from the Governor a bill returned by him with his objections, the house in which it originated shall enter the objections at large in its journal or minutes and proceed to reconsider it. If, upon reconsideration, on or after the third day following its return, or the first day of a special session convened for the sole purpose of acting on such bills, two-thirds of all the members of the house of origin agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections of the Governor, to the other house; and if, upon reconsideration, it is approved by two-thirds of all the members of the house, it shall become a law."

### Role in state budget[edit]

See also: New Jersey state budget and finances
New Jersey on

Check out Ballotpedia articles about policy in your state on:
Budgets • Civil liberties • Education • Elections • Energy • Environment • Healthcare • Pensions

* * *

The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[33]

1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in September.
2. State agency requests are submitted in October.
3. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the New Jersey State Legislature on or before the fourth Tuesday in February.[34]
4. The legislature adopts a budget on or before June 30. A simple majority is required to pass a budget.
5. The fiscal year begins July 1.

New Jersey is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[33][35]

The governor is constitutionally required to submit a balanced budget. In turn, the legislature is also constitutionally required to pass a balanced budget.[33]

## Committees[edit]

See also: List of committees in New Jersey state government

Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

* Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
* Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
* Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The New Jersey General Assembly has 27 standing committees:

* Aging and Senior Services Committee
* Agriculture Committee
* Appropriations Committee
* Budget Committee
* Commerce and Economic Development Committee
* Community Development and Affairs Committee
* Consumer Affairs Committee
* Education Committee
* Environment and Solid Waste Committee
* Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee
* Health Committee
* Higher Education Committee
* Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee
* Housing Committee
* Human Services Committee
* Judiciary Committee
* Labor Committee
* Law and Public Safety Committee
* Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee
* Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee
* Regulated Professions Committee
* Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
* State and Local Government Committee
* Telecommunications and Utilities Committee
* Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee
* Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee
* Women and Children Committee

## Constitutional amendments[edit]

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the New Jersey Constitution can be amended:

See also: Article IX of the New Jersey Constitution and Laws governing ballot measures in New Jersey

The New Jersey Constitution provides for a legislative process to amend the state constitution.

#### Legislature[edit]

See also: Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

The New Jersey Constitution provides two legislative methods for referring a constitutional amendment to the ballot. First, the legislature can refer an amendment to the ballot through a 60% vote of both chambers during one legislative session. That amounts to a minimum of 48 votes in the New Jersey General Assembly and 24 votes in the New Jersey State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Second, the legislature can refer an amendment through a simple majority vote (50%+1) in each legislative chamber during two successive legislative sessions. That amounts to a minimum of 41 votes in the New Jersey General Assembly and 21 votes in the New Jersey State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

2025 measures:

See also: 2025 ballot measures

Certified:

The following measures have been certified for the ballot.

No measures to list

Potential:

The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2025.

No measures to list

2024 measures:

Below is a list of measures that were referred to the 2024 ballot by the legislature or that have made it approximately halfway through the process in the legislature for referral to the ballot in 2024.

See also: 2024 ballot measures

Certified:

The following measures have been certified for the ballot.

No measures to list

Potential:

The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2024.

No measures to list

## See also[edit]

Elections | New Jersey State Government | State Legislatures | State Politics

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|
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* New Jersey General Assembly elections, 2023
* New Jersey General Assembly elections, 2021
* New Jersey General Assembly elections, 2019
* New Jersey General Assembly elections, 2017

* New Jersey State Legislature
* New Jersey State Senate
* Governor of New Jersey
* New Jersey Supreme Court

* State legislative elections: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018

* State government trifectas
* State government triplexes
* State executives
* State courts
* Ballot measures

## External links[edit]

* New Jersey State Legislature

## Footnotes[edit]

1. ↑ New Jersey Legislature, "New Jersey Assembly Leadership," accessed July 7, 2014
2. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
3. ↑ New Jersey Constitution, "Article IV, Section II," accessed February 2, 2023
4. ↑ NJ.com, "PETITION FILING INSTRUCTION SHEET 2023 PRIMARY ELECTION NEW JERSEY GENERAL ASSEMBLY," accessed February 2, 2023
5. ↑ The Thicket of State Legislatures, "Why do Four States Have Odd-Year Elections?" Aug. 25, 2011
6. ↑ NJ.gov, "2021 Primary Election Timeline," accessed January 22, 2021
7. ↑ New Jersey Secretary of State, "2017 Primary Election Timeline," accessed March 21, 2017
8. ↑ New Jersey Division of Elections, "Official List, Candidates for General Assembly for Primary Election, June 6, 2017," accessed April 13, 2017
9. ↑ New Jersey Department of Elections, "2015 Primary Election Timeline," accessed February 2, 2015
10. ↑ Follow the Money, "New Jersey General Assembly 2011 Campaign Contributions," accessed December 17, 2013
11. ↑ Follow the Money, "New Jersey General Assembly 2009 Candidates," accessed July 26, 2013
12. ↑ Follow the Money, "New Jersey General Assembly 2007 Candidates," accessed July 26, 2013
13. ↑ Follow the Money, "New Jersey General Assembly 2005 Candidates," accessed July 26, 2013
14. ↑ Follow the Money, "New Jersey General Assembly 2003 Candidates," accessed July 26, 2013
15. ↑ Follow the Money, "New Jersey General Assembly 2001 Candidates," accessed July 26, 2013
16. ↑ New Jersey Legislature, "Our Legislature," accessed February 10, 2021
17. ↑ New Jersey Legislature, "New Jersey Constitution," accessed February 10, 2021 (Article IV, Section 4, (1))
18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 All About Redistricting, "New Jersey," accessed May 6, 2015
19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 New Jersey Monitor, "Democrats, GOP agree on new legislative map for N.J.," February 18, 2022
20. ↑ Insider NJ, "Redistricting Commission Finalizes Legislative Map by 9-2 Vote," February 18, 2022
21. ↑ Star-Ledger, "New census data shows N.J.'s population grew most in southern counties, became more racially diverse," February 3, 2011
22. ↑ Star Ledger, "With release of census data, N.J. Legislature has 60 days to come up with redistricting map," February 3, 2011
23. ↑ NorthJersey.com, "What N.J.'s legislative redistricting means to you," April 19, 2011
24. ↑ NY Times, "Standoff Ends in Budget Deal for New Jersey," July 3, 2017
25. ↑ NBC New York, "Gov. Christie Orders New Jersey Government Shutdown Amid Budget Impasse," July 1, 2017
26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Politico, "Christie signs N.J. budget, ending 3-day government shutdown," July 3, 2017
27. ↑ Law 360, "New Jersey Legislation And Regulation To Watch In 2015," accessed January 21, 2014
28. ↑ www.nj.com, "New N.J. Legislature sworn in as Democrats focus on taxes, Hurricane Sandy," accessed January 15, 2014
29. ↑ Wall Street Journal, "Sandy Sets New Agenda for Christie ," January 6, 2013
30. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2011 Legislative Sessions Calendar," accessed June 6, 2014(Archived)
31. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2010 Legislative Sessions Calendar," accessed July 7, 2014(Archived)
32. ↑ Find Law, "Tenth Amendment - U.S. Constitution," accessed May 20, 2017
33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
34. ↑ The deadline may be extended for new governors with the agreement of the state legislature.
35. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Separation of Powers: Executive Veto Powers," accessed January 26, 2024

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