SENATE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 3386

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JUNE 24, 2026

      The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 3386 (1R).

      As amended by the committee, this bill authorizes candidates and officeholders to use campaign funds for the reasonable costs of security measures for the candidate or officeholder, members of their family who reside in the same household, and staff, provided that the security measures address ongoing dangers or threats that would not otherwise exist were it not for the individual’s status or duties as a candidate or officeholder.

      Under the bill, candidates, candidate committees, joint candidate committees, and legislative leadership committees can make expenditures for:

      (1)  non-structural security devices, such as security hardware, locks, alarm systems, motion detectors, and security camera systems;

      (2)  structural security devices, such as wiring, lighting, gates, doors, and fencing, so long as such devices are intended solely to provide security;

      (3)  security personnel and services that are bona fide, legitimate, and professional; and

      (4)  cybersecurity software, devices, and services.

      Expenditures cannot be made for:

      (1)  the purchase of firearms or ammunition;

      (2)  payments to family members or entities owned or operated by family members; or

      (3)  home improvements not expressly authorized by this bill.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amendments remove language that restricted the use of funds for security measures, if those measures were for the sole purpose of improving the property or increasing the property value.

      The amendments also make discretionary the requirement that security devices be sold for a reasonable value.  The security devices must still be appropriately dissolved when the campaign or term of office has ended.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      This bill has not been certified as requiring a fiscal note.