By Debra Bradley, Esq. and Jennie Lamon – Your NJPSA Government Relations Team
In what is the busiest time of the year at the Statehouse, there was a lot happening this week in Trenton! On Thursday, the Legislature passed the budget bill for the new fiscal year that will begin on July 1st. Leading up to Thursday’s budget vote, the Statehouse was a blitz of late June activity, both in person and by way of Zoom. There were quite a few important bills that had action. By the end of the week, many, many bills had landed on the Governor’s desk. We will be closely monitoring the bills that are now on the Governor’s desk and will keep you informed when and if they become law. Following is a summary of all of the relevant bills that moved this week and their current status.
The State Budget FY2022
On Thursday, June 24th, lawmakers sent a $46.4 billion state budget to the Governor. It is anticipated that Governor Murphy will sign the Budget, essentially unchanged although he does have the legal authority to “red-line” items he disagrees with. The budget is a healthy one boosted by $6 billion in federal stimulus aid through the American Rescue Plan (ARP); $4 billion in funds that were borrowed through bonding during the emergency in anticipation of a potential drop in revenues as a result of the impacts of COVID-19 on our economy and better-than expected tax revenue collections of about $5 billion dollars. The budget bills are cited below:
S-2022/A-5870 Appropriates $46,380,012,000 in State funds and $21,026,030,082 in federal funds for the State budget for fiscal year 2021-2022. On June 24th, the Senate passed this bill (25-15) and the Assembly passed it (49-26-0).
S-3949/A-5871 FY 2021 State supplemental appropriation; appropriates $100.3 million in General Fund monies and $14.4 million in Property Tax Relief Fund monies. On June 24th, the Senate passed this bill (36-3), and the Assembly passed the measure (49-26-0).
Some highlights of the budget, as they impact education include the following:
- Public schools are receiving $9.3 billion in direct state aid payments in FY 22, which includes an increase of $578 million in K-12 formula aid as proposed by Governor Murphy in his February 2021 Budget Address. The aid continues to be distributed pursuant to the provisions of S2, legislation enacted into law several years ago that phased out Stabilization Aid in some districts and redistributed that aid to other school districts.
- In an effort to assist all New Jersey school districts, Extraordinary Special Education funding is being increased by an additional $125 million , bringing the total appropriation for next year to $400 million dollars. This is a 45% increase over last year’s amount and it means that 85% of extraordinary special education expenses will be covered by the state;
- The budget includes a historic, nearly $7 Billion dollar pension payment, the state’s first full pension contribution in more than two decades (and an extra $505 million from what the Governor proposed in his budget address in February);
- Legislation enacting the Clayton Model Pilot Program for social emotional learning that was enacted by the Legislature is funded in the budget with $500,000 dollars;
- Similarly, $5 million dollars is allocated to the Community Schools Pilot Program which is created by pending legislation;
- Districts impacted by the presence of military families will be prioritized in receiving Stabilization Aid through a $50 million grant program for districts suffering from reductions in state aid;
- Charter Schools will receive $5 million for facilities’ improvements;
- Districts losing state aid under the provisions of S2 have the ability to recoup some of that lost aid if they choose to participate in a regionalization study under the provisions of new legislation creating regionalization that will be enacted with the budget bill. These districts could recapture almost 19% of their state aid loss in this budget year for their participation in a regionalization study;
- The highly popular School Based Youth Services Program, housed in the Office of School Linked Services in the Department of Children and Families will receive an increase. Last year, this funding was at risk but NJPSA and other advocacy groups persuasively lobbied for its return to budget funding. This budget year, over $26.5 million is allocated for DCF Office of School Linked Services, an increase of $11 million over current funding levels; and
- Budget language is often critical. This year, budget language requires analysis and reporting on the usage and effectiveness of federal stimulus funding by local school districts and the NJDOE for federal stimulus aid including the American Rescue Plan (ARP).
In addition to the State Budget bill, the following education related bills were also sent to the Governor for his consideration:
A-4433/S-2715 Creates grant program to encourage school districts to partner with institutions of higher education in training school-based mental health services providers. On Monday, June 21, 2021, this bill was passed by the Senate by a vote of (40-0) and the General Assembly by a vote of (72-0-0). This bill now goes to the Governor for his consideration. If Governor Murphy signs it, the bill will become law.
A-4544/S-3150 Permits school nurse who is retired from TPAF to return to employment for up to two years without reenrollment in TPAF. On Monday, June 21, 2021, this bill was passed by the Senate by a vote of (40-0) and the General Assembly by a vote of (72-0-0). This bill has now passed both houses and will go to the Governor for his consideration. If Governor Murphy signs it, the bill will become law.
S-3948/A-5896 Authorizes supplemental State aid to school districts receiving certain federal Impact Aid; makes appropriation. On Monday, June 21, 2021, this bill was unanimously passed by the full Senate (40-0). The same day, the bill was passed by the General Assembly (68-2-2). The bill has now passed both houses and will go to the Governor for his consideration. If Governor Murphy signs it, the bill will become law.
S-225/A-679 Provides that student-athlete who sustains concussion must return to regular school activities prior to return to competition; requires school districts to implement six-step return-to-competition process. On Monday, June 21st, this bill was unanimously passed by the General Assembly (72-0-0), and the Senate (38-0). The bill has now passed both houses and will go to the Governor for his consideration. If Governor Murphy signs it, the bill will become law.
S-2826/A-4594 Directs DOE to establish five-year pilot program for issuance of limited certificate of eligibility with advanced standing and limited certificate of eligibility for certain teacher candidates. On June 21, 2021, this bill passed the General Assembly by a vote of (65-5-1). Having previously passed the Senate on June 3rd, the bill has now passed both houses and will go to the Governor for his consideration. If Governor Murphy signs it, the bill will become law.
S-2834/A-5312 Mandates training on culturally responsive teaching for all candidates for teaching certification. On June 21st, this bill was passed by the General Assembly by a vote of (58-11-3). Having previously passed the Senate on February 19th, this bill has now been passed by both houses and will go to the Governor for his consideration. If Governor Murphy signs it, the bill will become law.
A-5882/S-3943 (Vitale / Madden) – Establishes State supplement for federal summer food service program meals. On June 24th, 2021, this bill was both passed by the Assembly (72-3-0) and the Senate (40-0). This bill has now been passed by both houses and will go to the Governor for his consideration. If Governor Murphy signs it, the bill will become law.
A-5833/S-3944 (Ruiz / Turner) – Establishes State supplement for “breakfast after the bell” meals. On June 24th,this bill was both passed by the Assembly (71-4-0) and the Senate (40-0). This bill has now been passed by both houses and will go to the Governor for his consideration. If Governor Murphy signs it, the bill will become law.
A-5539/S-3954 (Sarlo / Sweeney) – Provides partial pension and retirement income exclusion for taxpayers with income between $100,000 and $150,000. On June 24th, this bill was passed by the Assembly (75-0-0) and the Senate (40-0). This bill has now been passed by both houses and will go to the Governor for his consideration. If Governor Murphy signs it, the bill will become law.
A-1995 / S-3149 (Pinkin / Downey / Pou / Turner) – Requires registration of international student exchange visitor placement organizations with Commissioner of Education. On June 24th, this bill was passed by the Senate by a vote of (40-0). Having previously passed the General Assembly by a vote of (72-2-0) on November 16, 2020, this bill has now passed both Houses and will go to the Governor for his consideration. If the Governor signs it, it will become law.
A-4434 /S-2716 (Greenwald / Lampitt / Mukherji / Beach / Ruiz) – Establishes Student Wellness Grant Program in DOE. On June 24th, this bill was passed by the Senate (40-0). Having previously been passed by the Assembly on March 1st, 2021 by a vote of (70-0-0), this bill has now passed both houses. It will now go to the Governor for his consideration. If Governor Murphy signs it, it will become law.
A-4435 / S-2717 (Verrelli / Greenwald / Speight / Beach / Corrado) – Requires DCF to give priority to certain school districts with student mental health counseling centers in awarding grants under School Based Youth Services Program. On June 24, this bill was passed by the Senate (39-1). Having previously passed the General Assembly on March 1, 2021 by a vote of (68-0-2), this bill will go to the Governor for his consideration. If Governor Murphy signs it, it will become law.
A-5597 / S-3801 (Conaway / Jimenez / Speight / Vitale) – Permits school districts to administer student health surveys after prior written notification to parents and legal guardians. On June 24th, this bill was passed by the Senate by a vote of (24-15). Having previously passed in the Assembly by a vote of (48-28-0), this bill will go to the Governor for his consideration. If Governor Murphy signs it, it will become law.
A-5886 / S-3959 (Caputo / Stanley / Reynolds-Jackson / Addiego / Turner) – Awards project grants under “Securing Our Children’s Future Fund” for school security projects in certain school districts; appropriates $66,173,243. On June 24th, this bill passed the Senate by a vote of (40-0). Earlier in the week, this bill was also passed by the General Assembly on June 21st by a vote of (72-0-0). Having passed both houses, this bill will now go to the Governor. If Governor Murphy signs it, it will become law.
A-5887 / S-3960 (Benson / Jimenez / Taliaferro / Cunningham / Turner) – Awards project grants under “Securing Our Children’s Future Fund” for water infrastructure projects in certain school districts; appropriates $6,608,212. On June 21st, this bill was passed by the Assembly by a vote of (71-0-0). Three days later, the Senate also passed the bill by a vote of (40-0). The bill has now passed both houses and will go to the Governor for his consideration. If Governor Murphy signs it, it will become law.
A-5888 / S-3961 (DeAngelo / Armato / Quijano / Cunningham / Ruiz) – Provides project grants under “Securing Our Children’s Future Fund” for career and technical education at county colleges; appropriates $26,456,996. On June 21st, this bill was passed by the Assembly by a vote of (72-0-0). Three days later, the Senate also passed the bill by a vote of (40-0). The bill has now passed both houses and will go to the Governor for his consideration. If Governor Murphy signs it, it will become law.
A-5889 / S-3962 (Mazzeo / Zwicker / Johnson / Sweeney / Turner / Ruiz) – Provides project grants under “Securing Our Children’s Fund” for career and technical education expansion in county vocational school districts; appropriates $222,904,769. On June 21st, this bill was passed by the Assembly by a vote of (72-0-0). Three days later, the Senate also passed the bill by a vote of (40-0). The bill has now passed both houses and will go to the Governor for his consideration. If Governor Murphy signs it, it will become law.
A-5365 / S-3872 (Caputo / Sumter / Mukherji / Turner / Ruiz) – Permits parent or guardian to request grade retention for student during 2021-2022 school year. This bill has passed both houses. On June 3rd, it passed the Assembly by a unanimous vote of (72-0-0). On June 24th, it was passed by the Senate (39-1). The bill now goes to the Governor for his consideration and, if signed, will become law.
S-84 / A-3149 (Bateman / Singleton / Greenstein / Murphy / Greenwald / Freiman) – Requires institutions of higher education and public and nonpublic high schools and middle schools to adopt anti-hazing policies; expands activities encompassing criminal hazing and upgrades penalties for engaging in these activities. This bill has passed both houses. On June 15th, it was passed by the Senate (40-0). This week, the Assembly passed the bill on June 24th by a vote of (75-0-0). The bill now goes to the Governor for his consideration and, if signed, will become law.
S-108 / A-169 (Gill / Turner / Caputo / Wirths) – Concerns speech rights of student journalists at public schools and public institutions of higher education. This bill has been passed by both houses. On March 5, 2020, it passed the Senate unanimously(40-0). This week, the bill cleared the General Assembly on June 24th by a vote of (74-0-0). The bill now goes to the Governor for his consideration and, if signed, will become law.
S-969 / A-2687 (Ruiz / Turner / Mazzeo / Lampitt / Moen) – Establishes loan redemption program for teachers in certain fields to redeem loan amounts received under New Jersey College Loans to Assist State Students Loan Program through employment in certain low performing schools. This bill has passed both houses. On March 5th, the Senate passed it by a unanimous vote of (40-0). This week, the Assembly passed it on June 24th (73-1-0). The bill now goes to the Governor for his consideration and, if signed, will become law.
S-2160 / A-5701 (Sweeney / Oroho / Singer / Carter / Lampitt / Jasey) – Creates special education unit within the Office of Administrative Law; requires annual report. This bill has passed both houses. On June 3rd, it was passed unanimously by the Senate (38-0). This week, the General Assembly took up the measure and on June 24th passed it with another unanimous vote (75-0-0). The bill now goes to the Governor for his consideration and, if signed, will become law.
S-3881 / A-5834 (Sarlo / Coughlin / Jasey) – Extends deadline for completion and filing of annual audit report of school district for 2020-2021 school year; establishes deadline for submission of Audit Summary for 2020-2021 school year. This measure passed both houses this week, with a vote in the Senate on June 21st (40-0) and a vote in the Assembly three days later on June 24th (74-0-0). The bill now goes to the Governor for his consideration and, if signed, will become law.
S-3253 / A-2619 (Singleton / Ruiz / Murphy / Speight / Mukherji) – Establishes alternate route to expedite certification of teachers at early college high school programs. This bill has been passed by both houses. On June 3rd, it passed by the Senate (37-0). Then, on Thursday of this week, the Assembly also unanimously approved the measure (74-0-0). The bill now goes to the Governor for his consideration and, if signed, will become law.
Bills Passed by the NJ State Senate this Week:
A-4436/S-2718 Establishes “Student Mental Health Task Force.” On Monday, June 21, 2021, this bill was passed by the Senate by a vote of (40-0) and has been sent back to the General Assembly to concur with Senate Amendments.
S-990 Requires school district to provide information to DOE on various aspects of computer science courses. On Monday June 21st, this bill was passed by the Senate (39-1) and was referred to the Assembly Education Committee.
S-3213 Establishes New Jersey Community Learning Program in DOE to provide comprehensive extended learning time programs in certain communities; dedicates portion of State cannabis revenue to support program. On Monday June 21st, this bill was passed by the Senate (34-5) and was referred to the Assembly Education Committee.
S-3685 Permits teacher and professional staff member who provides special services retired from TPAF to return to employment for up to two years without reenrollment in TPAF if employment commences during state of emergency for COVID-19 pandemic. On Monday June 21st, the bill was passed by the Senate (40-0). It has been referred to the Assembly State and Local Government Committee where it awaits a hearing.
S-3995 (Sweeney / Singleton) – Establishes School and Small Business Energy Efficiency Stimulus Program Fund in BPU. On June 24th, this bill passed the Senate by a vote of (37-2).
Bills Passed by the General Assembly this Week:
A-1599 Requires public school students with concussion to be evaluated by licensed health care professionals before return to school; requires school districts to provide restrictions or limitations to student as needed. On Monday June 21st, the General Assembly unanimously passed the bill (72-0-0). It has now been referred to the Senate Education Committee, where it awaits a hearing.
A-1971 Directs BPU to develop and implement electric school bus pilot program. On June 21, 2021, the bill was passed by the General Assembly by a vote of (57-14-1). It has been referred to the Senate Economic Growth Committee, where it awaits a hearing.
A-4008 Provides secondary classroom experience credit towards meeting requirements of classroom training portion of registered apprenticeship. On June 21, 2021, the bill was unanimously passed by the Assembly (72-0-0) and referred to the Senate Labor Committee, where it currently awaits a hearing.
S-3488/A-5537 Modifies certain procedures pertaining to school district regionalization; establishes grant program for cost reimbursement of conducting regionalization feasibility studies; and provides financial incentives for regionalization. On June 21st, this bill was unanimously passed by the General Assembly by a vote of (72-0-0) and received in the Senate, 2nd Reading on Concurrence.
A-5817 Revises violation and fines for approving or assigning unauthorized individuals as school bus drivers. On June 21st, this bill was unanimously passed by the General Assembly (72-0-0) and received in the Senate without committee reference, which means it will go directly to the Senate floor.
A-5825 Changes effective date of Garden State Health Plan; exempts certain charter and renaissance schools from certain healthcare plan requirements; requires certain negotiations over certain health care costs. On June 21st, this bill was unanimously passed by the General Assembly (72-0-0) and received in the Senate without committee reference, which means it will go directly to the Senate floor.
A-192 (Carter / Kennedy / Timberlake) – Establishes “New Jersey STEM Scholars Grant Pilot Program” in Department of Education. On June 24, 2021, this bill was passed by the Assembly by a vote of (75-0-0).
A-2957 (McKeon) – Establishes task force to examine issues and make recommendations concerning youth sports, including abusive coaching, confrontational parents, and bullying of players. On June 24, 2021, this bill was passed by the Assembly by a vote of (75-0-0).
A-5814 (Swain / Tully) – Creates School Bus Safety Ombudsman position in, but not of, Department of Education. On June 24, 2021, this bill was passed by the Assembly by a vote of (60-13-2).
A-5818 (Tully / Swain) – Provides for debarment of school bus contractors for certain violations; requires certain information in pupil transportation contract bid. On June 24, 2021, this bill was passed by the Assembly by a vote of (75-0-0).