On September 11, 2026, Assemblyman Brian Bergen introduced legislation at the New Jersey Statehouse in Trenton that would bar all legislators from using personal cellphones while inside the building. The bill seeks to eliminate the possibility of lawmakers playing games or gambling on their devices during voting sessions.
The measure comes after mounting criticism that some members of the General Assembly and Senate have been observed checking or scrolling on phones during floor debates and roll‑call votes. Critics argue that such behavior distracts from the legislative process and raises questions about the seriousness with which elected officials approach their duties. Bergen’s proposal would make it a violation of House rules for any member to hold or operate a cellphone in the chamber, the floor, or any committee room, with potential penalties ranging from a formal reprimand to loss of voting privileges for repeat offenses.
Supporters of the bill say the ban would reinforce decorum and ensure that legislative business receives undivided attention. Opponents caution that a blanket prohibition could impede legitimate communication, such as contacting staff or emergency services, and suggest that a more limited policy might be preferable. The bill is slated for committee review later this month, and if approved it could become the first statewide rule explicitly restricting legislators’ personal device use during official proceedings.
If enacted, the rule would join a growing list of workplace and government policies aimed at curbing digital distractions. The proposal reflects a broader effort by New Jersey’s political leadership to address perceived lapses in professionalism and to restore public confidence in the integrity of the state’s lawmaking process.