This bill establishes a digital democracy online portal within the New Jersey legislative framework, allowing the public to submit and track legislative proposals. The Office of Legislative Services is tasked with creating and maintaining this portal, which will include essential information for each proposal such as the proposal number, subject, date of receipt, contact information option for the submitter, current status, and any related bill numbers with tracking data. The portal aims to enhance public engagement in the legislative process by providing a centralized and accessible platform for citizens to contribute their ideas.

Additionally, the bill outlines a process for members of the Legislature to request that a proposal be drafted into legislation. When a request is made, the proposal will be marked as reserved, and all related information will be kept confidential until the proposal is formally introduced as legislation. This initiative is designed to streamline the interaction between the public and the legislative process, ensuring that citizen input is considered in the development of new laws. The act is set to take effect 365 days after its enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 52:11-78