Public Utility Law Section CLE
Date: Nov 14, 2023 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Riker Danzig LLP, Trenton and Online
Member Price: $29
Section Price: $29
Areas of Law: Public Utility
Keynote
Moderator
Presenters
- Mary Kathryn Roberts, Esq.
- Riker Danzig LLP, Trenton
The Public Utility Law Section (PULS) invites you to attend a 1-hour hybrid CLE on "Election Transparency Act" which begins at 10 a.m. on Tues., Nov. 14, presented by Mary Kathryn Roberts, Esq.
On April 3rd, Governor Murphy signed S2866 — the “Elections Transparency Act” P.L.2023, c.30.The legislation will significantly impact the political contributions landscape in New Jersey. It allows for more giving and more spending, while at the same time imposing tighter reporting requirements. On the whole, it favors disclosure over restriction. It is retroactive to January I, 2023, with some exception . The legislation makes significant changes to the New Jersey Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting Act, N.J.S.A. I9:44A-I et seq., originally enacted in 1973. For convenience, the Assembly Appropriations Committee’s full statement summarizing the law is provided below. However, we anticipate the following provisions are among those which will have the most immediate and direct impact on New Jersey’s business community:
1. The legislation sets a two year statute of limitations on enforcement actions. Because the law is retroactive, any matters older than two years, that have not yet been the subject of an enforcement action, should be time-barred.
2. The law decreases contribution reporting limits from $300 to $200 - pretty much across the board. This new $200 threshold will need to be ingrained amongst contributors.
3. Contribution limits to candidates from individuals, corporations, political committees, and continuing political committees are doubled. This means corporations can give $5,200 per election (primary and general) instead of $2,600. (This provision is not retroactive and takes effect after the 2023 primary election).
4. Reporting thresholds are changing for independent expenditure committees.
5. The statute defangs some of the existing “anti-wheeling” measures. For example, business entities will now be permitted to make
contributions to State political party committees and legislative leadership committees and still be awarded public contracts - including those awarded by the State’s many independent authorities.
6. State agencies and independent authorities will now enjoy the same flexible“ fair and open process” exemption that has traditionally been relied upon by local government entities. This means that these State entities can now award a contract to a contractor who has made reportable contributions so long as the award is made pursuant to a fair and open process.
The live program will take place in Riker Danzig LLP (50 West State Street, Suite 1010, Trenton, NJ 08608-1220)
This CLE program is open to all members of the NJSBA Public Utility Law Section.
9:30 Networking and Breakfast
10:00 CLE Program
11:00 PULS Business Meeting which will include an election recap by Mary Kay with assistance
from Christina Farrell from the New Jersey Utilities Association.
NJ CLE: | NJ CLE information: This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 1.2 hours of total CLE credit (Full Credits Available: NJ General: 1.2). |
NY CLE (t&nt): | NY Professional Practice Non-Transitional: 1.0 |
PA CLE: | PA Substantive Credit: 1.0
$4.00 fee – separate check payable to NJICLE must be submitted at the end of the program |