ASSEMBLY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND WOMEN'S AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 3346

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: OCTOBER 5, 2026

      The Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 3346.

      As amended, this bill directs the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, to conduct a comprehensive study to research scaling for the most efficient delivery of services by local units within the context of shared service agreements, joint contracts, and alternative service delivery methods.  The study would be conducted in consultation with the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs.

      New Jersey residents face the highest property tax burden in the United States and reducing this burden has been and continues to be a priority for the Legislature.  To further encourage streamlining of the delivery of local government services, a determination of efficiency and scaling is required in order to inform the Legislature as to the most effective methods to achieve savings for taxpayers, while still ensuring a high level of quality in the delivery of services.

      Under the bill, the study will examine, but not be limited to examining, increasing efficiency in the following areas of service delivery:

      (1) municipal courts;

      (2) construction code enforcement;

      (3) fire code enforcement;

      (4) municipal and county health services;

      (5) property tax assessments;

      (6) public works; and

      (7) provision of emergency services, including police, fire, and emergency medical response, and dispatch for emergency response.

      The bill specifies that the study may utilize a variety of research methods with a mission to collect and compile the data on which

comprehensive decisions can be made to encourage the most efficient and effective streamlining of delivery of services by local units.            Under the bill, the Bloustein School is required to issue a report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature within one year of the commencement of the study.

      The bill appropriates from the General Fund to Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, $90,000 to conduct the study and issue the report.

      This bill was prefiled 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.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to:

      (1) require that the study be conducted in consultation with the Division of Local Government Services in the Department of Community Affairs;

      (2) appropriate funds for the study from the General Fund instead of the Property Tax Relief Fund;

      (3) increase the appropriation for the study from $30,000 to $90,000; and

      (4) make a technical correction to syntax.