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Bill > S296
NJ S296
NJ S296Requires State Treasurer, in consultation with State Comptroller, to promulgate rules and regulations concerning best practices for awarding independent State authority contracts.
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 requires the State Treasurer, in consultation with the State Comptroller, to adopt rules and regulations concerning best practices for purchases, contracts, or agreements made or awarded by independent State authorities. The bill implements suggestions made in a report issued by the State Comptroller on March 4, 2010, entitled "Best Practices for Awarding Service Contracts." The bill provides for exceptions from the rules and regulations, based upon the exceptions contained in Executive Order No. 37 of 2006. The bill also provides that, in the event of a conflict between the provisions of the bill and the regulations adopted thereunder and other State or federal laws, the latter will prevail.
AI Summary
This bill mandates that the State Treasurer, in collaboration with the State Comptroller, establish rules and regulations outlining best practices for how "independent State authorities" – which are defined as public entities or instrumentalities of the State not directly part of a principal department or subject to its control, excluding colleges and universities – award contracts for goods and services. These regulations aim to ensure a broad pool of bidders, fair vendor eligibility, clear contract terms emphasizing results, and a merit-based evaluation process with transparent criteria judged by qualified, conflict-free committees. The bill also specifies several exceptions to these rules, such as for contracts below a certain monetary threshold, emergencies, situations with only one available vendor, contracts with other government entities, innovative proposals where competition isn't beneficial, or when other state or federal laws dictate a different process. Importantly, if any part of this bill conflicts with other state or federal laws, those other laws will take precedence.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation 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/S296 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S0500/296_I1.HTM |
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