LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE
[First Reprint]
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR
ASSEMBLY, No. 5802
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
DATED: JANUARY 15, 2026
SUMMARY
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Synopsis: |
Concerns Statewide Longitudinal Data System for Education and Workforce Development. |
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Type of Impact: |
Potential annual State expenditure increase. |
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Agencies Affected: |
Department of Education; Office of the Secretary of Higher Education; Higher Education Student Assistance Authority; Department of Labor and Workforce Development; Motor Vehicle Commission |
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Office of Legislative Services Estimate |
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Fiscal Impact |
Annual |
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Potential State Cost Increase |
Indeterminate |
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· The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) determines that this bill may result in State cost increases to support the infrastructure and maintenance of the Statewide Longitudinal Data System for Education and Workforce Development.
· The OLS notes, however, that annual appropriations acts in recent years have already provided funding for this data system through budget language directing revenue from the Special Education Medicaid Initiative program, as well as additional State funds, to fund costs attributable to the State Longitudinal Data System for Education and Workforce Development.
· Since this bill appears to codify the data system that has been funded through the annual appropriations act, it is likely that the State will not experience significant costs above those that are already incurred to support the data system’s costs.
BILL DESCRIPTION
This bill codifies the Statewide Longitudinal Data System for Education and Workforce Development. The system is established to maintain linked longitudinal data to inform policy and decisions concerning the improvement of quality of life, education, and employment opportunities for residents of the State. The system would be overseen and maintained by the Statewide Longitudinal Data System Governing Body, which would consist of one representative from each of the following State agencies: the Department of Education, the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Each participating agency is required pursuant to the bill to provide data necessary for the purposes of the data system. Under the bill, the governing body may choose a designee, including the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University, to maintain the data system. The bill also amends various pieces of State law to authorize the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to provide certain motor vehicle records for the purposes of the data system.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
None received.
OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES
The OLS determines that this bill may result in State cost increases to support the infrastructure and maintenance of the Statewide Longitudinal Data System for Education and Workforce Development.
The OLS notes, however, that annual appropriations acts in recent years have already provided funding for a project that has previously been referred to as the State Longitudinal Data System. Budget language included in the Department of Education portion of the annual appropriations act directs revenue from the Special Education Medicaid Initiative program to fund costs, including required enhancements and upgrades, attributable to the State Longitudinal Data System. The annual appropriations act has also included language authorizing the issuance of unlimited supplemental appropriations to satisfy the costs of the data system in the event that Special Education Medicaid Initiative funds are insufficient. Lastly, language included as part of the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education’s portion of the annual appropriations act has authorized supplemental appropriations up to $500,000 for the purpose of supporting the maintenance of the longitudinal data system.
Since this bill appears to codify the data system that has already been funded through the appropriations act, it is likely that the State will not experience significant costs above those that are already incurred to support the data system’s costs. While the OLS does not have access to information concerning the amount of Special Education Medicaid Initiative program funds and State funds that are specifically expended on the State Longitudinal Data System, the data system’s annual report for 2024 indicates an annual cost of approximately $1.7 million.
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Section: |
Education |
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Analyst: |
Assistant Fiscal Analyst |
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Approved: |
Thomas Koenig Legislative Budget and Finance Officer |
This legislative fiscal estimate has been produced by the Office of Legislative Services due to the failure of the Executive Branch to respond to our request for a fiscal note.
This fiscal estimate has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67 (C.52:13B-6 et seq.).