Establishes New Jersey Delegation on Government Efficiency.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Bob Auth and 10 co-sponsors

Establishes the New Jersey Delegation on Government Efficiency (DOGE) to examine state operations, identify savings, potentially eliminate agencies, and report within 20 months.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly State and Local Government Committee

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AJR 213 — Summary

Overview

AJR 213 is a joint resolution introduced in the New Jersey Assembly on January 30, 2025. It establishes the New Jersey Delegation on Government Efficiency (DOGE), a state-body housed in, but not part of, the Department of the Treasury. The primary purpose is to examine State government operations to identify savings opportunities and enhance efficiency, including the potential elimination of agencies or functions. The resolution is effective immediately and terminates upon the DOGE’s final report submission.

Purpose and Intent

Create a formal, independent body to review and improve government efficiency.

Identify ways to better save public funds and streamline government functions.

Consider structural reforms, including possible elimination of agencies or functions, to address budgetary challenges while preserving core priorities.

Key Provisions

Doge Structure: The DOGE is chaired by the State Auditor (or a designee) and may include up to 20 public members.

Selection Committee: Public members are chosen by a bipartisan Selection Committee consisting of:

Governor (or designee)
President of the Senate (or designee)
Speaker of the General Assembly (or designee)
Senate Minority Leader (or designee)
Assembly Minority Leader (or designee)

Appointment Process: Applicants must submit through a form of public notice; at least four members of the Selection Committee must approve each appointment.

Qualifications: Minimum requirements include relevant experience in overseeing or conducting performance audits of large public or private entities and a statement of potential conflicts of interest.

Compensation: The Selection Committee may set hourly or per diem rates for DOGE members, subject to approval by at least four committee members.

Duties and Authority:

The DOGE will examine various aspects of State government to identify cost savings and efficiency gains.
It may request staff support from the Treasury and may utilize employees from other state, county, or municipal entities as needed.
It must provide a process for public input on potential actions or areas for review.

Meetings and Transparency: DOGE meetings are held at the chair’s call and are subject to the Open Public Meetings Act.

Staffing and Support: The Treasury Department provides staff support to the DOGE.

Reporting: Within 20 months of its first meeting, the DOGE must complete and submit a report detailing findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature (and the report will be published on the Treasury website).

Timeline and Sunset

Effective Date: Immediate upon enactment.

Expiration: The joint resolution expires when the DOGE submits its final report.

Who Is Affected

State government operations and potential programmatic functions under consideration.

Public members appointed to the DOGE.

State agencies and departments that may be reviewed or referenced in the DOGE’s work.

Context and Potential Impact

Aims to address fiscal pressures by improving efficiency and reducing unnecessary spending.

Seeks bipartisan legitimacy through its appointment process and independence from the Treasury, while leveraging Treasury staff support.

Could influence structural reforms if major efficiencies or eliminations are identified.

Status

Introduced in the Assembly on January 30, 2025; referred to the Assembly State and Local Government Committee.