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A 2677

Prohibits bill certified for fiscal note or estimate from being released from committee without fiscal note or estimate.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Chris DePhillips and 2 co-sponsors

Bills certified for a fiscal note cannot leave committee until a complete fiscal note/estimate is ready, improving transparency.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee
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Bill Summary · A 2677

Summary of New Jersey A 2677 (Session 222)

Title

Prohibits bills certified for fiscal note or estimate from being released from committee without a fiscal note or estimate

Purpose and intent

  • The bill narrows the process for moving a bill out of committee by ensuring that any bill certified for a fiscal note or legislative fiscal estimate cannot be released from committee until the fiscal note or estimate is complete.
  • Its aim is to improve fiscal transparency and accountability by preventing advancement of bills whose fiscal impact has not been fully assessed.

Key provisions

  1. Amends P.L.1980, c.67 (New Jersey Statutes, commonly cited as governing fiscal notes/estimates)

    • Section 5 (updated language):
      • If the Legislative Budget and Finance Officer (LBFO) has a complete fiscal note or legislative fiscal estimate, the Officer must transmit an electronic copy to the sponsor (the sponsor whose name appears first on the bill) with a notice that the sponsor may object within three business days after receipt.
      • If the LBFO has not yet prepared a complete fiscal note or legislative fiscal estimate for a bill that has been certified for such a note/estimate, the bill cannot be released from committee until the fiscal note/estimate is complete.

  2. Effective date

    • The act takes effect on the first day of the third month following enactment.

Who/what would be affected

  • Legislative process:
    • Lawmakers and committee staff would be affected, as bills certified for fiscal notes or legislative fiscal estimates could not advance from committee until a complete note/estimate is available.
    • Sponsors of bills would receive electronic fiscal notes/estimates and have a three-business-day window to object if desired.
  • Fiscal analysis:
    • The Legislative Budget and Finance Office (LBFO) would retain the role of issuing complete fiscal notes and estimates before a bill can advance.
  • Stakeholders
    • Members of the Legislature, fiscal analysts, and individuals or entities tracking the fiscal impact of proposed legislation.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Certification process:
    • A bill can be certified for a fiscal note/estimate, triggering the requirement that the note be complete before committee release.
  • Notification and objection:
    • Once a complete fiscal note/estimate exists, the LBFO must electronically deliver it to the sponsor first named on the bill.
    • The sponsor has a 3-business-day window to object to the fiscal note/estimate.
  • Blocking mechanism:
    • If a complete fiscal note/estimate is not available, the bill cannot be released from committee, effectively delaying or halting progression until analysis is complete.
  • Enactment timing:
    • The act itself becomes effective on the first day of the third month after enactment, giving time for implementation.

Practical impact

  • Increased guardrails to ensure fiscal considerations are fully reflected before a bill advances from committee.
  • Potentially reduces risk of advancing legislation with unanalyzed or incomplete fiscal implications.
  • May slow the initial advancement of some bills if fiscal notes are not yet complete, but ensures greater transparency and accountability in the legislative process.

Notable details

  • The three-day window to object after receipt of the fiscal note/estimate is a specific procedural element intended to give sponsors a brief opportunity to raise concerns.
  • The provision aligns with and amends existing law (P.L.1980, c.67) to tighten release conditions for bills certified for fiscal analysis.

Action history: Introduced January 13, 2026; referred to Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Committee.

Sponsors: Chris DePhillips, Dawn Fantasia, Erik Peterson (co-sponsors).

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

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