ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1732

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 19, 2026

      The Assembly Education Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1732.

      This bill appropriates $3 million annually, from funds collected from the Social Equity Excise Fee that is assessed on cannabis, to the Department of State to support funding for Freedom Schools in New Jersey. 

      The Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Fund is the repository of several revenues the State collects within the confines of the regulated cannabis retail program.  One of the revenues, the Social Equity Excise Fee, is the particular revenue stream to which the Freedom Schools appropriation would be charged.

      The New Jersey Office of Faith Based Initiatives Freedom School Project supports New Jersey Freedom Schools.  Freedom Schools provide education and character-building support to kindergarten through 12th grade students and their families by implementing an intensive academic summer program as well as continuous follow up, homework, and tutoring services throughout the academic school year. 

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.