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CA

Bill

SJR 147

Establishes New Jersey Government Efficiency Commission.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Carmen Amato and 1 co-sponsor

Creates the New Jersey Government Efficiency Commission to streamline state functions, cut red tape, identify cost savings, and report findings to the Governor and Legislature.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee
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Bill Summary · SJR 147

Summary of Senate Joint Resolution 147 (SJR 147)

Purpose and scope

  • Establishes a New Jersey Government Efficiency Commission (the “Commission”) in, but not of, the Department of the Treasury.
  • Primary goal: streamline government functions, eliminate red tape, remove redundancies and overlapping responsibilities, and identify cost-reduction opportunities across state government.

Key provisions

  • Commission composition (seven members total):
    • State Treasurer (or the Treasurer’s designee) serves as chair.
    • One member of the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce.
    • Four public members appointed by: the Governor; the President of the Senate; the Speaker of the General Assembly; the Minority Leader of the Senate; and the Minority Leader of the General Assembly (one appointee by each office).
  • Terms and initial appointments:
    • Public members’ initial terms: two members for three years, two for two years, and one for one year.
    • After initial appointments, public members serve three-year terms.
    • Vacancies filled by the same appointing authority that made the original appointment.
    • Members may be removed for cause.
    • Initial appointments must occur within 30 days of the act’s effective date.
  • Formation and meetings:
    • The Commission is formed upon the appointment of a majority of its members.
    • Meetings are at the chair’s discretion, as needed to fulfill duties.
    • Treasury staff will provide support; the Commission may utilize staff from other state, county, or municipal entities as needed.
  • Duties and scope:
    • Investigate and develop strategies for:
    • Streamlining government functions.
    • Eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy, redundancies, and overlapping functions.
    • Identifying cost-reduction opportunities in government.

Reporting and accountability

  • The Commission must report its findings and recommendations to:
    • The Governor
    • The Legislature (pursuant to the reporting requirements in N.J. law, specifically C.52:14-19.1)
  • Timelines:
    • An initial report within one year of formation.
    • Annual reports to follow, thereafter.

Effective date and status

  • Effective date: Immediate (the joint resolution takes effect immediately).
  • Status: Introduced in the Senate on January 30, 2025; referred to the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee.
  • Classification: Joint resolution.

Potential implications and considerations

  • Creates a formal, independent-looking mechanism within the Treasury to assess efficiency across state government.
  • Requires no explicit new appropriation in the introduced text, but implementation would rely on Treasury staff support and potential use of other state personnel.
  • Public-member appointments involve multiple political offices, which could influence priorities and timelines.
  • Initial one-year milestone for a comprehensive early findings report, followed by annual updates, establishes a measurable cadence for evaluating government functions and cost-saving opportunities.

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

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