ASSEMBLY HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 474

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 10, 2025

      The Assembly Higher Education Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 474.

      As amended, this bill makes a fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriation of $500,000 from the State General Fund to Rutgers University, New Brunswick for the Nurture thru Nature (NtN) program.  The NtN program was founded by Rutgers faculty in 2009 to provide science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational opportunities and hands-on learning opportunities to students in grades three through 12.

      The program addresses unique challenges facing students in nearby inner-city school districts, including under-representation in STEM fields, insufficient preparation for STEM careers, and summer learning loss.  The program has demonstrated significant benefits in increasing science and mathematics grades, increasing interest in STEM disciplines, increasing the rate of pursuit of higher education in STEM fields, and developing non-cognitive skills including problem solving, pro-social behavior, and leadership skills.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to provide that the supplemental appropriation is for the fiscal year 2025 appropriations act, rather than for the fiscal year 2023 appropriations act.  The committee amendments also modify certain technical aspects of the bill to be consistent with the fiscal year 2025 appropriations act.