AR160

An Assembly Resolution urging the Governor to dedicate Meta settlement funds for school funding.

Whereas, In August 2026, New Jersey, along with 50 other states and territories, entered into a settlement agreement with Meta Platforms, Inc., through which the company will remit up to $17.1 billion in settlement payments to the states and territories; and

Whereas, The State of New Jersey is set to receive at least $525 million, and could receive over $752 million, as a result of payments from this settlement; and

Whereas, The plaintiff States claim that Meta knowingly exploited minors with intentionally addictive social media platforms, exposed young users to serious mental harm, and intentionally misled the public about the safety of its platforms; and

Whereas, According to a study conducted by the University of Delaware’s College of Education and Human Development, children engaging in frequent social media use are more likely to experience decreased academic achievement compared to their peers; and

Whereas, Due to the nature of this settlement, it is fitting that these funds be distributed in a way that helps to uplift and empower the children in this State who have been, or still are, affected by the consequences of Meta’s alleged actions; and

Whereas, Using this settlement’s proceeds to provide aid to school districts helps to ensure that children are receiving the thorough and efficient education that they deserve; and

Whereas, While all school districts educate children affected by Meta’s alleged actions, there is an acute need to support students in districts that are spending below adequacy, as calculated for each school district under current law; and

Whereas, These school districts may be more likely to face particularly significant financial difficulties, and many of them may be forced to cut staff, reduce student support services, and eliminate extracurricular programs, all of which are critical in supporting a student’s academic achievement, social-emotional learning and development, and mental health; and

Whereas, It is critical that the Governor utilizes these funds to address substantial school budget deficits among these school districts and ensure that the districts are able to retain staff and continue various academic, student support, and extracurricular programming, all of which are important in supporting youth mental health and academic achievement; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. This House respectfully urges the Governor to dedicate funds received from the settlement entered with Meta Platforms, Inc. in August 2026 to school districts that are spending below adequacy, as calculated pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2018, c.67 (C.18A:7F-70), thereby ensuring that children in these districts can benefit from services and supports that improve student mental health and academic achievement.

2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Governor and the Commissioner of Education.

STATEMENT

This resolution urges the Governor to dedicate funds received from the Meta Platforms, Inc. settlement to support school funding in certain school districts. The plaintiff States claim that Meta knowingly exploited minors with intentionally addictive social media platforms, exposed young users to serious mental harms, and intentionally misled the public about the safety of its platforms. As a result, Meta is paying up to $17.1 billion in a multistate settlement with 51 states and territories, including New Jersey. New Jersey is set to receive $525 million and could receive over $752 million.

Due to the nature of this settlement, it is fitting that these funds be distributed in a way that helps to uplift and empower the children in this State who have been, or still are, affected by the consequences of Meta’s alleged actions. While all school districts educate children affected by Meta’s alleged actions, there is an acute need to support students in districts that are spending below adequacy, as calculated for each school district under current law. These school districts may be more likely to face particularly significant financial difficulties which can disrupt a student’s academic achievement, social-emotional learning and development, and mental health. It is critical that the Governor utilizes these funds to address substantial school budget deficits among these school districts to support youth mental health and academic achievement.