NJ governor signs measure restricting access to government records

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed a controversial measure Wednesday that critics say will restrict access to government records and could enable corruption in the future.

The legislation, NJ S2930 (24R), overhauls the state’s existing Open Public Records Act, likely making it harder for media outlets and the public to access some documents. 

The legislation would continue to limit access to government text and email correspondence and permit agencies charging more for releasing information — even if the evidence is not always in complete form. The law also makes it harder for lawyers to get back fees in cases where requests are wrongfully denied by agencies. 

Murphy, in a “signing statement,” acknowledged that while the law might disappoint some organizations, he believed the adjustments to the law were “relatively modest” and necessary.

“Before I discuss the merits of the bill, I want to acknowledge that I know that this decision will disappoint many members of the advocacy community, including a number of social justice, labor, and environmental organizations, among others,” Murphy said. “I have heard the many objections to the bill directly, and I know that they are made in good faith and with good intentions.” 

“And I know that closer to home, New Jerseyans across the political spectrum feel deeply betrayed and outraged by the serious allegations that our senior United States Senator accepted bribes from a foreign government,” he continued, referring to Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), who is currently facing trial for public corruption. 

The governor added, “If I believed that this bill would enable corruption in any way, I would unhesitatingly veto it.”

Critics were quick to denounce the legislation. The League of Women Voters of New Jersey (LWVNJ) wrote in a post on social platform X that the move marks a “dark day” for democracy.

“Instead of listening to the public and safeguarding transparency, NJ lawmakers have turned their backs on one of our essential rights. Hobbling public access to information is neither reform or modernization,” Jesse Burns, LWVNJ chair, said in a statement.

“This long struggle to defend democracy has proven we must restore power to the people of this state so they cannot continue to be blatantly ignored by those that are meant to serve them,” she added.

Housing and Community Development Network of NJ, a nonprofit, said the bill was a “travesty and a “major blow” to transparency. 

The bill’s backers said the legislation was designed to help out clerks who deal with lots of public records requests.

The legislation was originally introduced in March. It was then pulled back for discussion of amendments, was brought back in May in committees of both chambers and ultimately passed.