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

BILL NUMBER:S4417A

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

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

Summary of 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.

Legislative history

2011:S 357-A Passed Senate/A.5274-A Passed Assembly 2009-10: S.360 Judiciary 2009-10: S.8234 Judiciary/A.6340A Judiciary 2007-08: S.2981 Judiciary/A.2108 Judiciary 2005-06: S.4659 Judiciary/A.2057 Judiciary 2003-04: S.4128 Judiciary/A.6497 Judiciary 2001-02: A.5770 Judiciary 1999-00: A.4870 Judiciary 1997-98: A.8542 Judiciary

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 Assembly concurs) that the foregoing amendment be submitted to the people for approval at the general election to be held in the year 2014 in accordance with the provisions of the election law.