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Bill > S2054
NJ S2054
NJ S2054Permits board of county commissioners to establish "Sharing Resources" grant and loan program to encourage shared services and municipal consolidation.
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill permits the board of county commissioners of any county to establish a "Sharing Resources" grant and loan program for local units within the county that plan to study the feasibility of a shared service agreement, a joint meeting contract, or municipal consolidation. Grant and loan monies may be used to fund studies, consultant costs and one-time start-up costs of a shared service agreement, joint meeting contract, or municipal consolidation. The board of county commissioners, in consultation with the Commissioner of Community Affairs, may promulgate rules and regulations necessary to effectuate the purposes of its program. The Commissioner of Community Affairs is required to provide common guidelines and procedures for the submission of grant applications to a county "Sharing Resources" grant program. Applications for one-time start-up costs are required to provide that local units may apply for financial assistance for the one-time start-up costs necessary to implement shared services. Costs that may be financed through the issuance of debt or capital lease agreements are excluded from this program. The board of county commissioners may set limits on aid awards and negotiate the various provisions, costs, payment provisions, and amounts of grants or loans to ensure that the proposed shared service is cost effective and in the public interest. The board of county commissioners may also provide technical support programs to assist local units in applying for grants or aid for studying shared services. The board of county commissioners may receive and expend moneys from the State, the federal government, or private individuals, corporations or associations thereof, to meet all or a portion of the expenses of the "Sharing Resources" grant and loan program, and may raise by taxation, pursuant to R.S.40:23-7, all or a portion of the money necessary to pay for the program.
AI Summary
This bill allows county boards of chosen freeholders, which are now referred to as county commissioners, to create a "Sharing Resources" grant and loan program to help local governments (municipalities and other local units) explore and implement shared services, joint contracts, or municipal consolidation, which means merging towns. This program can fund studies to see if these arrangements are feasible, cover consultant fees, and pay for initial one-time costs to get these shared services started, but it excludes costs that could be covered by debt or capital leases. The Commissioner of Community Affairs will provide standard guidelines for grant applications, and county commissioners can set limits on awards, negotiate terms, and ensure proposed projects are cost-effective and beneficial to the public, while also offering technical assistance to local units. Counties can use money from state, federal, or private sources, and can also raise funds through taxation to support this program.
Committee Categories
Housing and Urban Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S2054 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2500/2054_I1.HTM |
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