ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 3517

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JANUARY 8, 2026

      The Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 3517.

      As reported, this bill specifies the personnel titles for which the Superintendent of State Police may change the rank and grade for the efficient operation of the Division of State Police in the Department of Law and Public Safety and which command staff positions the superintendent may change upon the approval of the Attorney General (AG).  Currently, the superintendent may change or increase the rank and grade of any member or increase the number of personnel for the efficient operation of the division with the approval of the AG.  These changes are to be budgeted within the limitations of the division’s appropriations.

      Specifically, the bill permits the superintendent to change the ranks and grades of any trooper, detective, first-line supervisor, mid-level manager, or executive-level personnel for the efficient operation of the division without the approval of the AG.  The bill also provides that the superintendent may only make changes to command staff positions holding the rank of major and lieutenant colonel upon the approval of the AG.  The bill requires that any personnel changes be effected within the limitations of the division’s appropriations, consistent with current law. 

      As reported by the committee, Senate Bill No. 3517 is identical to Assembly Bill No. 4604, which was also reported by the committee on this date.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) estimates that this bill may result in an indeterminate, likely marginal, increase in State administrative expenditures associated with personnel-management and record-keeping activities for changes in rank and grade within the Division of State Police in the Department of Law and Public Safety. These activities may include reviewing personnel files, documenting reclassifications, and updating internal systems. 

      However, depending on the division’s resource allocation policies, the added workload may or may not augment State administrative expenditures.