ASSEMBLY TOURISM, GAMING AND THE ARTS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 3558

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  SEPTEMBER 14, 2026

      The Assembly Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 3558.

      This bill provides for voluntary contributions by taxpayers on gross income tax returns to support public humanities programming in New Jersey.  The bill establishes a special fund to be known as the "New Jersey Council for the Humanities Fund” to which all donations collected from voluntary contributions are to be deposited.  The bill requires the Legislature to appropriate moneys deposited in the fund to the New Jersey Council for the Humanities to be used for the provision of grant funding to individuals and entities to support humanities programming in this State.  The bill provides, however, that costs incurred by the Division of Taxation for collection or administration attributable to the New Jersey Council for the Humanities Fund may be deducted from contributions collected prior to the appropriation of funds.

      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.