WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

A 805

Relates to requiring gender neutral bathrooms in state-owned buildings

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Burdick and 8 co-sponsors

Expands bribery to include soliciting or accepting benefits to influence future official actions by candidates and elected officials who have not yet assumed office.

REFERRED TO INVESTIGATIONS AND GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 805

Summary: New Jersey Assembly Bill A 805 (Introduced Version)

Note on title vs. content: The bill text provided relates to bribery in official and political matters, not to gender-neutral bathrooms. This summary reflects the introduced version and legislative content as provided.

1) Purpose and intent

  • The bill broadens the scope of “bribery in official and political matters” to include solicitation or acceptance of benefits as consideration for future official actions by persons seeking or holding public office.
  • It clarifies that candidates for elective public office (and individuals who have not yet assumed office) can be charged with bribery if they solicit or accept benefits to influence future actions for the benefit provider.
  • It aims to address conduct where a candidate or prospective official exchanges or seeks contributions (or other benefits) in return for future favorable action, aligning state law with perceived needs highlighted by prior cases (notably referencing a corrective aim in response to prior rulings in U.S. v. Manzo).

2) Key provisions and changes

  • Offense: A person commits bribery if they directly or indirectly offer, confer, or agree to confer, or solicit, accept, or agree to accept from another any benefit as consideration for:
    • a decision, opinion, recommendation, vote, or exercise of discretion by a public servant, party official, or voter on a public issue or public election;
    • a decision, vote, recommendation, or exercise of official discretion in a judicial or administrative proceeding; or
    • the performance of official duties.
  • Expanded “public servant” definition: Includes anyone who is a candidate for public office (as defined by NE laws governing candidates) and any person elected but who has not yet assumed office, whose activities are overseen by the Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC).
  • Campaign contributions: The bill expressly states that it does not apply to lawful campaign speeches, advertisements, or other campaign activity used to generate lawful campaign contributions under The New Jersey Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting Act.
  • Severity and penalties:
    • General bribery: Second-degree crime, penalties typically 5-10 years’ imprisonment, fines up to $150,000, or both.
    • Value threshold: If the benefit is $200 or less, the offense is a third-degree crime (typically 3-5 years’ imprisonment, fines up to $15,000, or both).
  • Effective date: The act would take effect immediately upon enactment.

3) Who and what is affected

  • Potential defendants include:
    • Current public servants and party officials (as under existing bribery law).
    • Candidates for public office and individuals who have been elected but have not yet assumed office.
  • Entities and oversight: People whose actions fall under the regulatory purview of ELEC, particularly those seeking or holding elected office.
  • Campaign activities: General lawful campaign activity designed to raise contributions remains exempt.

4) Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Referred to Investigations and Government Operations.
  • Introduced: January 9, 2024.
  • Related actions (as per record): Companion bills exist in other houses (S 2138) and prior-session equivalents (A 10652, A 523, S 2665). The bill has undergone legislative actions including committee referrals, advancement to third reading, and passage stages in related timelines, but the exact current status should be confirmed in the latest legislative roster.

5) Sponsors and related measures

  • Primary sponsor: Harvey Epstein.
  • Co-sponsors: MaryJane Shimsky, Dana Levenberg, Chris Burdick, Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, Tony Simone, Steven Raga, Karines Reyes, Yudelka Tapia.
  • Related/companion bills: S 2138 (companion in Senate), S 2665 (companion), A 10652 (prior-session), A 523 (prior-session).

This summary provides the bill’s core intent, substantive changes, who would be affected, key penalties, and procedural status based on the introduced version text provided. For complete legal analysis or latest status, please refer to the New Jersey Legislature’s official bill tracking resources.

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

Sign in to ask a question.