(TRENTON) – An Assembly panel on Monday released legislation Assembly Democrats Robert Andrzejczak and Nelson Albano sponsored to mandate the presence of the United States flag at all official meeting of public entities.
“In any meeting of representatives who have been elected or appointed to represent the people’s interest, the United States Flag should be present,” said Andrzejczak (D-Cape May, Atlantic, Cumberland). “Currently, many meetings open with saluting the flag and reciting the pledge of allegiance during meetings. This legislation would simply codify it and underscore its importance.”
“Some municipalities have enacted local ordinances to require this in every public meeting,” said Albano (D- Cape May, Atlantic, Cumberland). “A statewide regulation reinforces these ordinances and streamlines the opening procedures of all meetings of government.”
The bill (A-4156) requires that all public bodies covered by the provisions of the Open Public Meetings Act have a United States flag displayed in the meeting room and that the person presiding lead those present in a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. If enacted, the bill would take effect immediately.
The Assembly State Government Committee released the measure in an afternoon committee hearing.