The Council on Local Mandates, which is independent of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of State government, was created pursuant to the "State Mandate, State Pay" amendment to the New Jersey Constitution, approved by voters in November 1995, and an enabling statute, the Council Statute, that became effective in May 1996.

The Council has the exclusive constitutional authority to rule that a State law, rule, or regulation imposes an unconstitutional "unfunded mandate" on boards of education, counties, or municipalities. Under the Constitution, if the Council so rules, the "unfunded mandate" in the law, rule or regulation ceases to be mandatory in effect and "expires."

To learn more about the Council and its activities, please consult the information provided under General Background.