SENATE COMMUNITY AND URBAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 3615

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 5, 2025

      The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 3615.

As amended and reported, this bill amends existing law establishing a regional authority to develop and operate a rehabilitation and reentry center.  The bill renames the "management committee" as the "board of authority commissioners" and requires two or more counties to enter into an agreement establishing the regional authority.

      The bill also makes certain changes to: (1) time considerations concerning applications to the Local Finance Board; (2) provisions related to withdrawal from and dissolution of authorities under the bill; and (3) provide for certain financial apportionments for debt service.

      The bill further allows for a registered municipal accountant to conduct an audit of the authority and makes specific reference to the employment of correctional police officers.

      As amended and reported by the committee, Senate Bill No. 3615 is identical to Assembly Bill No. 4877, which was also reported by the committee on this date.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to

      (1)  provide for proportional responsibility, if any, of a withdrawing county from a regional authority;

      (2)  make specific reference to the employment of correctional police officers;

      (3) allow a separate formula for the apportionment of any debt service pursuant to the inter-county agreement on the adjusted tax levy; and

      (4)  specify certain statutory citations.