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Bill

ACR 150

Urges Governor to protect religious liberty during declared state of emergency.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Greg McGuckin

Urge the Governor to protect religious liberty during emergencies, guiding agencies to honor free exercise while balancing health and safety.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · ACR 150

Summary of ACR 150 (Session 222, New Jersey)

Purpose and intent

ACR 150 is a concurrent resolution that urges the Governor of New Jersey to take action to protect religious liberty during any declared state of emergency. The bill frames religious liberty as a fundamental constitutional right that should be preserved and safeguarded when emergency powers are activated. By urging executive action, the resolution seeks to influence state policy and messaging without imposing new statutory requirements.

Key provisions and changes

  • Non-binding in nature: As a concurrent resolution, ACR 150 does not create new law or impose enforceable obligations. Instead, it expresses the Legislature’s position and requests that the Governor implement or consider measures consistent with protecting religious liberty during emergencies.
  • Protection focus areas (implied): While the text of the resolution is not provided here, resolutions of this type typically advocate for:
    • Ensuring that religious organizations and individuals are not unduly burdened by emergency orders.
    • Allowing religious gatherings and worship to continue with appropriate safety measures.
    • Providing exemptions or accommodations for faith-based operations that are consistent with public health and safety.
    • Maintaining the free exercise of religion while balancing other emergency objectives.
  • Advisory and exhortatory language: The resolution commonly calls on state agencies, departments, and officials to honor religious liberty in their emergency response actions and to communicate that commitment publicly.

Who or what would be affected

  • State agencies and officials: The resolution principally targets the Governor, and by extension state executive branch agencies, urging them to consider religious liberty protections in emergency orders and policy decisions.
  • Religious organizations and adherents: Individuals and faith communities may benefit from reiterated commitments to protect religious exercise during emergencies, particularly if agency actions align with the resolution’s spirit.
  • General public: The resolution signals a policy emphasis that could influence how emergency rules are drafted and communicated, potentially affecting public messaging and the administration of emergency restrictions.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Sponsor and co-sponsor: Sponsored by a legislator with Greg McGuckin listed as a co-sponsor.
  • Legislative status: As a concurrent resolution, it would typically require approval by both houses of the Legislature and would then be transmitted to the Governor for consideration. If enacted, it would express the Legislature’s stance rather than enact binding legal changes.
  • Adoption timeline: No specific dates are provided here; like other concurrent resolutions, it would follow the standard bill passage timeline in New Jersey, moving through committees and floor votes as dictated by the legislative calendar.

Practical impact

  • The resolution serves to articulate a clear legislative expectation that religious liberty be protected during emergencies. While it does not alter statutes or grant new powers, it can influence policy decisions, guidance, and public messaging by the Governor and state agencies. The impact depends on how the executive branch responds to the resolution in practice and whether agencies adopt protective considerations for religious exercise in their emergency-related actions.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to include any specific text from the bill or compare it to related measures in other states.

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

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