Allows satisfaction of constitutional requirement that bills be on members desks by distribution of bills in electronically written form

1 Co-sponsor

• Suzi Oppenheimer

BILL NUMBER:S357A

Title of bill

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment to section 14 of article 3 of the constitution, in relation to the manner of passing bills

Purpose or general idea of bill

Allows satisfaction of constitutional requirement that bills be on Members' desks by distribution of bills in electronically written form.

Summary of specific provisions

Amends Section 14 of Article 3 of the constitution relating to the requirement that no bill shall be passed or become law unless it shall have been printed and placed upon the desks of Members. This bill adds language that specifies that a bill shall be deemed printed and on Members' desks if:

* It is set forth in a legible electronic format by electronic means, and; * It is available for review at the desks of Members. Also, "electronic means" is specifically defined to mean any method of transmission between computers that: * i. Allows the recipient to reproduce the information transmitted in a tangible medium, so that if any member prefers to review the information printed on paper, he or she can do so, and * ii. Does not allow additions, deletions or other changes to be made without leaving an adequate record thereof.

Justification

In today's technologically advanced age, a significant amount of time, money, and paper can be saved by providing legislation on the desks of Members, prior to their voting, in electronic rather than paper format. The benefits would be especially pronounced when voting on budget bills since they are voluminous by nature. The Legislative Session, currently lengthy, is additionally protracted since members must wait for each piece of legislation to be reprinted as last minute changes are incorporated. Inputting bills into a software program on a computer, transmitting them through electronic means to individual computers located on each member's desk, would speed up the process. Through the reduction of paperwork and time expended in the current process results in a more efficient and cost effective one. This legislation would make an electronic option available to all Members.

Members who prefer to receive and review a paper version of any bill will have access to one. This legislation clearly specifies that every member who so desires, must have access to a paper version of any legislation on his or her desk.

Prior legislative history

A.6340A and S.8234 of 2009/2010 A.2108 and S.2981 of 2007/2008 A.2057 and S.4659 of 2005/2006 A.6497 and S.4128 of 2003/2004 A.5770 of 2001/2002 A.4870 of 1999/2000 A.8542 of 1997/1998

Fiscal implications

There is an initial cost for installing a computer system in the Assembly and Senate chambers, but thereafter a savings in printing costs.

Effective date

Resolved (if the Senate concurs) that the foregoing amendment be referred to the first regular legislative session convening after the next succeeding general election.