ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5034

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 14, 2026

      The Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 5034.

      As amended, this bill establishes that the Superintendent of State Police is to hold the rank of Colonel of State Police and permits the appointment of a retirant without reenrollment in the State Police Retirement System (SPRS).

      Under the provisions of this amended bill, the superintendent is to hold the uniformed rank of Colonel of the State Police and is entitled to wear the corresponding uniform.  The amended bill grants the superintendent all privileges and powers conferred upon members of the State Police pursuant to current law.

      In addition, in order to hold the rank of colonel, the amended bill requires the superintendent to be a graduate of the New Jersey State Police Academy and to apply for and obtain an initial or renewal law enforcement license pursuant to current law if the superintendent does not already hold an active license.

      In addition, under the amended bill, notwithstanding the provisions of current law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, a person who is a retirant of the SPRS is eligible for appointment as the Superintendent of State Police without reenrollment in the retirement system and is eligible to hold the rank of colonel regardless of age or retirant status under the “State Police Retirement System Act” provided that the person completes the requirements set forth under the bill and previously retired in good standing prior to appointment.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to:

      1)  require that, in order to hold the rank of colonel, the superintendent be a graduate of the New Jersey State Police Academy; as introduced, the bill required the superintendent to, in order to hold the rank of colonel, complete, update, or renew any New Jersey State Police Academy basic police officer certification required to hold the position of New Jersey State Police Officer;

      2)  clarify that in order to hold the rank of colonel, the superintendent is to apply for and obtain an initial or renewal law enforcement license pursuant to current law if the superintendent does not already hold an active license;

      3)  provide that the superintendent receive a salary as provided by law as currently set forth in statutory law; as introduced, the bill provided that the superintendent is to receive a salary in the amount of $210,000 pursuant to current law;

      4)  provide that a person who is a retirant of the SPRS is eligible for appointment as superintendent without reenrollment in the retirement system; as introduced the bill provided that a retirant of the SPRS is eligible for appointment as superintendent and is not required to reenroll in the SPRS provided that the retirement meets the requirement for a bona fide severance from employment and any employment or reemployment has not been prearranged before retirement, and provided further that the salary established by law for the superintendent for a person who is a retirant of the system and who is not reenrolled in the system is not to be considered as compensation for retirement system purposes and is not to enhance the retirement allowance received by that person as a retirant of the system;

      5)  remove the provision specifying that the superintendent is to serve as and perform the duties of the State Director of Emergency Management; and

      6)  make a clarifying change.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      Fiscal information is currently unavailable.