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Bill > S3129


NJ S3129

NJ S3129
Establishes Co-Curricular Activity Emergency Grant Program to support operations of co-curricular activities at public schools; appropriates $750,000.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill establishes a Co-Curricular Activity Emergency Grant Program in the Department of Education to support the continued operations of certain academic-related, co-curricular activities that are offered to students by public schools. The bill permits any school district, charter school, or renaissance school to apply to the Department of Education for a co-curricular activity emergency grant. Each grant would be dedicated to supporting the operations of one or more co-curricular activities that are offered to students who attend the recipient school. When submitting an application, the school district, charter school, or renaissance school would be required to designate the co-curricular activities to which grant funding would be dedicated. Under the bill, each grant would be awarded in an amount determined by the Commissioner of Education. When awarding grants, the commissioner may give preference to applicants that experienced the largest reduction in revenues due to the outbreak of COVID-19, or dedicate funding to specific co-curricular activities. As used in the bill, a "co-curricular activity" means a voluntary activity or program that is conducted outside of regular school hours and supplements the academic experience of participating students, including such activities as model United Nations, debate competitions, theatrical performances, musical performances, and other academic-related activities. The bill also appropriates $750,000 from the General Fund to support the operations of the grant program.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a Co-Curricular Activity Emergency Grant Program within the Department of Education, allocating $750,000 from the General Fund to support the ongoing operations of academic-related, voluntary activities offered outside of regular school hours by public schools, including school districts, charter schools, and renaissance schools. These "co-curricular activities" supplement students' academic experiences and can include programs like model United Nations, debate, theater, and music. Schools applying for these grants must specify which activities the funds will support, and the Commissioner of Education will determine the grant amounts, potentially prioritizing applicants who experienced significant revenue losses due to COVID-19 or those focusing on particular activities. The bill also allows the Commissioner to quickly implement necessary regulations for the program.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (5)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 01/13/2026)

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