Eliminates requirement for State residency for public officers and employees with limited historic exceptions.

This bill eliminates the requirement for most New Jersey public officials and employees to maintain their principal residence in the state. It removes the current residency rule from state law, except for limited existing exceptions such as temporary faculty positions at state colleges and employees working primarily outside New Jersey. The bill also eliminates the current exemption committee process that allowed special requests for exceptions. This change directly affects thousands of state workers, including those in executive, legislative, judicial branches, and public education, by removing a longstanding residency obligation. The law would take effect upon passage, with no new exemption process needed.