New Jersey Government 101

Understanding how New Jersey’s government works is key to making your voice heard. Learn the roles of each branch, how laws are made, and how the state budget shapes services.

Page Updated on: 10/8/2025

Purpose of Government

To organize society in a way that maintains order and security, protects individual rights, provides essential services, ensures justice, and promotes the general welfare of its citizens.

Branches of Government

Executive

This branch enforces laws
    • The Governor is the head of the executive branch
    • The Governor is responsible for signing legislation into law
    • There are 18 departments and 56 agencies that serve different functions including providing services and resources to residents

Official Website of the State of New Jersey

Legislative

This branch creates laws and consists of two houses: the Senate and General Assembly
  • Members of the Legislature are chosen from 40 electoral districts, with each district electing one Senator and two Assemblymembers
  • Each house passes legislation
Senate
  • Consists of 40 members
  • Senate President is the head of the Senate and is chosen from and by members of the Senate
  • Members of certain boards and commissions are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate
General Assembly
  • Consists of 80 members
  • Assembly Speaker is the head of the General Assembly and is chosen from and by members of the General Assembly
Involvement of Political Parties
  • The political party with the most members in each house is considered the majority party
  • The political party with the fewest members in each house is considered the minority party

New Jersey Legislature Website

Judicial

This branch interprets laws
    • Consists of the New Jersey Supreme Court and numerous lower courts
    • The Supreme Court consists of a Chief Justice and six Associate Justices who are all appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate

New Jersey Courts Website

Lifespan of a Bill

The Path of Legislation
Legislature Committees

The number and types of committees change based on the discretion of the Senate President and Assembly Speaker

  • 17 Senate Committees
  • 26 Assembly Committees
  • 7 Joint Senate and Assembly Committees
  • 13 Other Committees

New Jersey Legislature Website

State Regulations
  • State regulations, called the New Jersey Administrative Code, are rules adopted by state agencies in the Executive branch of government
  • Regulations are primarily responsible for providing details and outlining the implementation of state and federal statutes

Autism State Regulations Website

State Budget
  • New Jersey’s budget is set on a fiscal year basis which starts on July 1st and lasts until June 30th of the following year
  • Budget timeline
    • Governor proposes budget to Legislature after working with all the departments and agencies on their current and upcoming priorities
    • 2 legislative committees (Senate Budget and Appropriations and Assembly Budget) hold hearings with State departments and the public on the budget
    • Both houses of the Legislature pass the budget after making changes they see fit
    • The Governor must sign the budget into law before July 1st each year

New Jersey Office of Management and Budget Website

Autism NJ