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Bill

S 3196

Deactivates certain committees, councils, panels, and task forces of advisory or temporary nature if entity does not meet or have quorum at least once every year.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Kristin Corrado

New Jersey bill automatically deactivates state advisory committees and task forces failing to meet quorum annually, removing inactive government bodies.

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Bill Summary · S 3196

Legislative bill overview

S 3196 establishes an automatic deactivation mechanism for New Jersey state advisory committees, councils, panels, and task forces that fail to meet or achieve quorum at least once annually. The bill essentially creates a "use it or lose it" policy where inactive advisory bodies are automatically terminated unless they demonstrate ongoing activity.

Why is this important

Advisory bodies often proliferate within government over decades, creating administrative overhead and potential duplication of efforts. This bill addresses government efficiency by removing inactive entities that consume resources without providing meaningful input, while theoretically allowing important committees to continue operating with minimal burden (one annual meeting).

Potential points of contention

  • Discretionary judgment: The definitions of "advisory or temporary nature" may be ambiguous, potentially catching committees that are genuinely important but meet infrequently by design (e.g., long-term planning bodies that need periodic rather than annual review)
  • Institutional knowledge loss: Deactivating committees eliminates established expertise networks and relationships that may take time to rebuild if a committee later proves necessary
  • Quorum requirements as barrier: Some committees may struggle to achieve quorum due to scheduling challenges or member availability issues unrelated to the committee's actual importance or function

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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