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New Jersey Public Service Commission Disclosure Ranking Report Card Click to select a state

WASHINGTON November 17, 2005 — The Center for Public Integrity evaluated financial disclosure requirements for public utility board members in all 50 states. Based on a 43-question survey, researchers graded each state on openness from 0 to 100 points. (See methodology)

Grade: B
Rank: 4th

Total Score: 80/100
Access Score: 7/8
Enforcement Score: 3/5
Extent Score: 67/83
Filing Score: 3/4
  Question Answer Points Section Notes
1 Requires financial disclosure filing? Yes 1/1 Filing  
2 Requires complete financial disclosure filing (no update)? Yes 1/1 Filing  
3 Requires financial disclosure filing annually? Yes 1/1 Filing  
4 Requires complete financial disclosure filing for candidates (prior to election) and for nominees (prior to confirmation)? No 0/1 Filing  
5 Employment information required? Yes 5/5 Extent  
6 Employment information not narrowly defined? Yes 5/5 Extent  
7 Employer/business name required? Yes 5/5 Extent  
8 Employment job title required? No 0/2 Extent  
9 Employer description required? No 0/2 Extent  
10 Value range/income amount required? Yes 5/5 Extent  
11 Spouse employment information required and clear? Yes 5/5 Extent  
12 Officer/director information required? Yes 4/4 Extent  
13 Officer/director information not narrowly defined? No 0/4 Extent Filers not required to report uncompensated directorships. 
14 Officer/director entity name required? Yes 4/4 Extent  
15 Officer/director entity description required? No 0/2 Extent  
16 Spouse officer/director information required and clear? Yes 4/4 Extent  
17 Investment information required? Yes 3/3 Extent  
18 Investment information not narrowly defined? Yes 3/3 Extent  
19 Investment entity name required? Yes 3/3 Extent  
20 Investment entity description required? Yes 1/2 Extent Half points awarded because filers not required to describe company where stock is held. 
21 Investment value range/holding amount required? Yes 3/3 Extent  
22 Spouse investment information required and clear? Yes 3/3 Extent  
23 Client information required? Yes 2/2 Extent  
24 Client name required? No 0/2 Extent  
25 Client value range/income amount required? Yes 2/2 Extent  
26 Spouse client information required and clear? Yes 2/2 Extent  
27 Real-property information required? Yes 2/2 Extent  
28 Real-property information not narrowly defined? Yes 2/2 Extent  
29 Real-property value range/amount required? Yes 2/2 Extent  
30 Spouse real-property information required and clear? Yes 2/2 Extent  
31 Spouse name required? No 0/2 Extent  
32 Dependent name required? No 0/1 Extent  
33 Financial disclosure filings in central office? Yes 1/1 Access  
34 Commissioners not forwarded reviewer information? Yes 1/1 Access  
35 In-person appearance not required to obtain filings? Yes 1/1 Access  
36 Copy fees less than 50 cents per page? No 0/1 Access  
37 Blank disclosure form available on Web? Yes 1/1 Access  
38 Disclosure filings available electronically or on the Web in any format? Yes 3/3 Access Available at: http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ethics/  
39 Late-filing penalties on the books? No 0/1 Enforcement  
40 Misfiling penalties on the books? Yes 1/1 Enforcement  
41 State has auditing authority? Yes 1/1 Enforcement  
42 State routinely reviews filings for accuracy and completeness either through formal audit process or informal review process? Yes 1/1 Enforcement  
43 State published list of delinquent filers on Web or in printed document? No 0/1 Enforcement