ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 5021

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JANUARY 8, 2026

      The Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 5021.

      As reported, this bill amends the annual appropriations act for Fiscal Year 2026 to expand the authorized use of grant funding for Centenary University.

      Currently, the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations act provides a $1,500,000 grants-in-aid appropriation to Centenary University for capital improvements.  The bill amends this line-item appropriation to remove the requirement that the funds be used solely for capital improvements.  By removing this requirement, these funds could be used by the university for general purposes.  This bill does not increase appropriations in the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations act.

      As reported by the committee, Senate Bill No. 5021 is identical to Assembly Bill No. 6296, which was also reported by the committee on this date.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      This bill is not certified as requiring a fiscal note.