This bill aims to enhance the transparency of political contributions made by business entities that hold public contracts in New Jersey. It establishes a uniform legal framework that prohibits state agencies, counties, municipalities, local boards of education, and fire districts from entering into contracts valued over $17,500 with business entities that have made contributions to certain political committees or candidates within the preceding year. Additionally, it restricts these business entities from making further contributions during the term of the contract. The bill repeals the local option for setting contribution limits, standardizing the rules across the state. Key amendments include the removal of language that allowed contracts awarded through a "fair and open process" to bypass these restrictions and the introduction of new definitions for "business entity" and "contribution."

Furthermore, the bill modifies existing laws regulating public contracts by allowing political party committees to receive contributions from business entities seeking contracts, while still prohibiting contributions to candidate committees and legislative leadership committees. It increases the maximum contribution limit from $300 to $1,000 and aligns the definition of "business entity" with a previous executive order. New disclosure requirements mandate that business entities report contributions made to independent expenditure committees. The bill centralizes the application of pay-to-play regulations by repealing provisions that allowed local governments to establish their own rules. Its provisions will take effect 90 days after enactment, providing public entities time to prepare for implementation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 19:44A-20.3, 19:44A-20.4, 19:44A-20.5, 19:44A-20.6, 19:44A-20.7, 19:44A-20.8, 19:44A-20.9, 19:44A-20.10, 19:44A-20.11, 19:44A-20.12, 19:44A-20.21, 19:44A-20.24, 19:44A-20.26, 19:44A-20.27