215th Legislature Comes To Close, NJPSA Waits for Final Answer On Several Bills

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The 215th Legislature came to close the evening of January 13 but for several legislative proposals, NJPSA awaits a final answer. 

The Rules

Under the New Jersey Constitution, the Governor has seven (7) days following the end of a two-year session to make a decision on any pending legislation.  He can either sign, veto, or pocket veto any bill presented to him at the close of a session.  A pocket veto, simply means that he did not act to sign or affirmatively veto a bill, and as such the bill by operation of law, is vetoed.

NJPSA Successes

NJPSA was successful in not only support of several legislative initiatives, but also successfully halted several bills that had significant operational concerns that needed to be addressed prior to passage into law.   This chart outlines where legislation that moved during the Lame Duck Session (post-election to the end of the legislative session) stands as of January 16.  NJPSA will be updating it again on January 22 (the final day by which the Governor can act) at which point it will be final.  

Also included on the chart are any bills the Governor has thus far signed as well as several initiatives NJPSA is monitoring but has not taken an official position on.  These bills have an impact on schools and their operation, but do not directly impact NJPSA membership.

215th Lame Duck Legislative Chart