Assembly State and Local Government [Source] Translate

The meeting began with a Pledge of Allegiance and roll call, confirming all committee members were present. The first resolution discussed was AR-122, honoring Thomas Mundy Peterson, the first African American to vote in the U.S. after the ratification of the 15th Amendment. Peterson, born in Metuchen in 1824, cast his historic vote on March 31, 1870. The resolution was moved and unanimously approved. The committee then addressed bill A3503, which mandates public entities to purchase 5% of goods and services from a central nonprofit agency and includes training provisions for purchasing agents. Supporters testified about the bill's potential to create job opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The committee voted to substitute and release A3503. Bill A4072 was held for further discussion. The next item, A4073, extends the deadline for the gubernatorial budget message to March 10, 2026, and was released without objections. AJR 118 was discussed next, designating March 10, 2026, as South Plainfield Day in honor of the borough's 100th anniversary, which was moved and approved. The John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act, A1715, was introduced, aiming to enhance voting rights and appropriating $2.5 million for its implementation. Advocates emphasized the need for stronger protections against voter suppression, particularly for communities of color. The committee recognized the urgency of the bill and supported advancing it out of committee. Testimonies highlighted the importance of protecting voting rights in New Jersey, especially in light of recent federal court decisions weakening the Federal Voting Rights Act. A representative from the ACLU of New Jersey stressed the historical significance of the Voting Rights Act and the threats it faces, urging the committee to pass a state-level Voting Rights Act. Eric Carter Cruz-Borales from the League of Women Voters of New Jersey supported the legislation, noting the need for state action as federal protections diminish and emphasizing barriers faced by marginalized communities. Committee members raised questions about the bill's provisions, particularly regarding voter identification requirements. Testimonies included examples of voter intimidation in New Jersey, especially in communities of color, and the need for protections against such practices. Additional testimonies from organizations like AAPI New Jersey and the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters underscored the importance of language access and equitable voting practices. Stacy Goto from the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism shared her experiences as a poll worker, emphasizing the need for language access and voting rights protections. Madison Linton from the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice supported Bill A1715, highlighting the importance of maintaining language access provisions for the 1.2 million New Jerseyans who are limited English proficient. Michael Camino from Wake Up New Jersey opposed the bill, raising concerns about its implications for voter rights and potential excessive control over elections. He criticized the bill's provisions for allowing judges to redraw district maps and questioned the funding for language interpreters. Several individuals submitted testimony in favor of the bill without speaking. The committee discussed the bill's provisions, with some members expressing concerns about centralizing election oversight and creating unfunded mandates for local governments. Assemblyman Sawicki argued that the bill misrepresents voter access in New Jersey, citing high participation rates and existing voting options. The committee ultimately voted to move the bill out of committee, with some members in favor and others opposed. The meeting concluded with the committee being adjourned.