New Jersey Legislature

New Jersey Legislature
New Jersey Legislature
216th New Jersey Legislature
Type
Type	Bicameral
Houses	Senate; General Assembly
Leadership
President of the Senate	Stephen M. Sweeney,D; since January 12, 2010
Speaker of the General Assembly	Vincent Prieto,D; since January 14, 2014
Structure
Seats	120
Political groups	Democratic Party; Republican Party
Elections
Last election	November 3, 2015 (only theNew Jersey General Assemblywas up for election)
Meeting place
	New Jersey State House,Trenton,New Jersey
Website
	www.njleg.state.nj.us

TheNew Jersey Legislatureis thelegislativebranch of thegovernmentof theU.S.stateofNew Jersey.In its current form, as defined by theNew Jersey Constitution of 1947,the Legislature consists of two houses: theGeneral Assemblyand theSenate.The Legislature meets in theNew Jersey State House,in thestate capitalofTrenton.

History

Colonial period

The New Jersey Legislature was established in 1702 upon the surrender by theProprietorsofEast Jerseyand those ofWest Jerseyof the right of government toQueen Anne.Anne's government united the two colonies as theProvince of New Jersey,aroyal colony,establishing a new system of government.

On December 6, 1775, GovernorWilliam Franklinprorogued the New Jersey Legislature until January 3, 1776, but it never met again.^[1]On May 30, 1776, Franklin attempted to convene the legislature, but was met instead with an order by theNew Jersey Provincial Congressfor his arrest.^[2]On July 2, 1776, the Provincial Congress approved a newconstitutionwhich ordered new elections; on August 13 an entire new legislature was elected.

Provincial Congress and the Constitution of 1776

In 1775, representatives from New Jersey's 13 counties established aProvincial Congressto supersede theRoyal Governor.

The Constitution of 1844

The New Jersey Constitution of 1844 provided for a direct popular election of the governor, and gave him the power to veto bills passed by the Legislature. The General Assembly was expanded to 60 members, elected annually and apportioned to the counties based on population.

Regardless of any changes, the Legislature met infrequently, had high turnover among its members, and was far from being the most influential or powerful organ of state government.^[3]

The Constitution of 1947 and modern developments

New Jersey adopted its current constitution in 1947. Under this constitution, the governor was given additional veto powers and the ability to serve two terms. Hundreds of independent agencies were consolidated into 20 principal executive departments under the control of the governor. Senators' terms were extended to four years; assemblymen's terms to two years.

In 1966, the Senate was expanded from 21 to 40 members and the General Assembly from 60 to 80. Following aUnited States Supreme Courtdecision in 1964 and aNew Jersey Supreme Courtdecision in 1972, the state's legislative districts were reapportioned into thecurrent arrangement.Two more modern developments have also helped shape the Legislature: the increase in importance of legislative committees and the development of longer tenures for the legislative leadership.^[3]

Organization

Powers

The Legislature has the power to enact laws by a majority vote of both houses, subject to theGovernor of New Jersey's ability tovetoa bill. A veto may be overridden by the Legislature if there is a two-thirds majority in favor of overriding in each House.

By a three-fifths vote of each house, the Legislature may propose an amendment to the State Constitution. Alternatively, it may propose an amendment by a majority vote two consecutive years. The Senate has the sole authority to confirm or reject gubernatorial nominees for judicial and some executive positions.^[4]

Houses, members, and qualifications

The current organization of the Legislature is outlined by Article IV ( "Legislative" ) of the New Jersey State Constitution of 1947.To become a member of the Assembly, an individual must be at least 21 years old, must have resided in their district for one year and the state for two years, and must live in the represented district. To become a Senator, an individual must be 30 years old, must have lived in their district for two years and the state for four years, and again must live in the represented district.^[5]

Current legislature

The sitting Legislature is the 215th Legislature of the State of New Jersey.

Currently, the Democrats are the majority party in both Houses. In the Senate there are 24 Democrats and 16 Republicans. There are 48 Democrats and 32 Republicans serving in the General Assembly.

Senate

The senate is the upper house in the New Jersey legislature. Currently, 40 people serve in the Senate for two years after redistricting, followed by four-year terms.

General Assembly

The general assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey legislature. Currently, 80 people are in the New Jersey legislature for two-year terms.

References

↑Journal of the Governor and Council Vol. VI (1769-1775), Archives of the State of New Jersey, First Series, Vol. XVIII; The John L. Murphy Publishing Co., Printers, Trenton, New Jersey, 1893. p. 566
↑"The Governors of New Jersey 1664-1974: Biographical Essays", New Jersey Historical Commission, Trenton, New Jersey, 1982. p. 75
↑^3.0^3.1"New Jersey Legislature, Historical Information".Archived fromthe originalon 2009-06-28.Retrieved2009-08-12.
↑""New Jersey Legislature – Our Legislature"".Archived fromthe originalon 2011-10-31.Retrieved2016-04-16.
↑"New Jersey Constitution 1947".Archived fromthe originalon 2009-06-30.Retrieved2009-08-12.

Other websites

New Jersey Legislature Archived2018-03-08 at theWayback Machine
New Jersey Senate Republicans
New Jersey Senate Democrats
New Jersey Assembly Republicans Archived2002-09-14 at theLibrary of CongressWeb Archives
New Jersey Assembly Democrats

[1] Journal of the Governor and Council Vol. VI (1769-1775), Archives of the State of New Jersey, First Series, Vol. XVIII; The John L. Murphy Publishing Co., Printers, Trenton, New Jersey, 1893. p. 566

[2] "The Governors of New Jersey 1664-1974: Biographical Essays", New Jersey Historical Commission, Trenton, New Jersey, 1982. p. 75

[njleg.state.nj.us-3] 3.0^3.1"New Jersey Legislature, Historical Information".Archived fromthe originalon 2009-06-28.Retrieved2009-08-12.

[4] ""New Jersey Legislature – Our Legislature"".Archived fromthe originalon 2011-10-31.Retrieved2016-04-16.

[5] "New Jersey Constitution 1947".Archived fromthe originalon 2009-06-30.Retrieved2009-08-12.

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