Bill Text: NJ ACR174 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Amends State Constitution to provide that general appropriation law will continue in effect until State enacts new general appropriation law.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-05-04 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee [ACR174 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-ACR174-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman RONALD S. DANCER
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
SYNOPSIS
Amends State Constitution to provide that general appropriation law will continue in effect until State enacts new general appropriation law.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Concurrent Resolution proposing to amend Article VIII, Section II, paragraph 2 of the Constitution of the State of New Jersey.
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):
1. The following proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of New Jersey is hereby agreed to:
PROPOSED AMENDMENT
Amend Article VIII, Section II, paragraph 2, to read as follows:
2. No money shall be drawn from the State treasury but for appropriations made by law. All moneys for the support of the State government and for all other State purposes as far as can be ascertained or reasonably foreseen, shall be provided for in one general appropriation law covering one and the same fiscal year; except that when a change in the fiscal year is made, necessary provision may be made to effect the transition; and except that a general appropriation law shall continue in effect after the conclusion of a fiscal year, and money shall be drawn in amounts that do not exceed the recurring expenditures previously authorized by the general appropriation law, until a new general appropriation law is enacted. No general appropriation law or other law appropriating money for any State purpose shall be enacted if the appropriation contained therein, together with all prior appropriations made for the same fiscal period, shall exceed the total amount of revenue on hand and anticipated which will be available to meet such appropriations during such fiscal period, as certified by the Governor.
(cf: Art.VIII, Sec.II, par.2, effective January 1, 1948)
2. When this proposed amendment to the Constitution is finally agreed to pursuant to Article IX, paragraph 1 of the Constitution, it shall be submitted to the people at the next general election occurring more than three months after the final agreement and shall be published at least once in at least one newspaper of each county designated by the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the General Assembly and the Secretary of State, not less than three months prior to the general election.
3. This proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be submitted to the people at that election in the following manner and form:
There shall be printed on each official ballot to be used at the general election, the following:
a. In every municipality in which voting machines are not used, a legend which shall immediately precede the question as follows:
If you favor the proposition printed below make a cross (X), plus (+), or check (a) in the square opposite the word "Yes." If you are opposed thereto make a cross (X), plus (+) or check (a) in the square opposite the word "No."
b. In every municipality the following question:
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ALLOWS THE STATE BUDGET TO REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL A NEW STATE BUDGET IS ADOPTED |
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YES
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Do you approve amending the State Constitution to allow the annual State budget to remain in effect after June 30? The State budget would remain in effect until the State adopts a new State budget. |
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INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT |
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NO
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This constitutional amendment would allow the annual State budget to remain in effect after June 30. The annual State budget will remain in effect until the State adopts a new State budget. Spending will continue at or below the levels previously authorized until the State adopts a new State budget. Currently, the State adopts a State budget for a fiscal year from July 1 to June 30. Failure to adopt a new State budget prior to the start of a new fiscal year on July 1 may result in a government shutdown. This amendment is intended to prevent a government shutdown resulting from the failure of the State to adopt a new State budget prior to July 1. |
STATEMENT
This constitutional amendment allows the general appropriation law to continue in effect after the conclusion of a fiscal year until the State enacts a new general appropriation law. Expenditures will continue at or below the level authorized by the appropriation law remaining in effect. The amendment is intended to prevent a government shutdown resulting from the failure to enact a new general appropriation law prior to the start of a new fiscal year on July 1.
