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Bill > S1503
NJ S1503
NJ S1503Establishes "Higher Education Deferred Maintenance Fund" to provide funding for deferred maintenance needs at public institutions of higher education.
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 establishes a "Higher Education Deferred Maintenance Fund" to provide funding for deferred maintenance needs at public institutions of higher education. The bill requires public institutions of higher education to, within 90 days following enactment, submit a deferred maintenance plan to the Secretary of Higher Education that details the institution's outstanding deferred maintenance needs and the anticipated cost of addressing the needs. The deferred maintenance plan would be updated every five years, except that an institution of higher education that maintains a long-range facilities plan pursuant to current law may revise and submit the deferred maintenance plan in conjunction with the institution's updates to the long-range facilities plan. Additionally, the bill establishes the "Higher Education Deferred Maintenance Fund," which would be credited with moneys appropriated by the Legislature, as well as any other federal or private funds available for the purpose of addressing deferred maintenance needs at public institutions of higher education. The bill authorizes the Legislature to, from time to time, appropriate the moneys credited to the fund to support the costs of deferred maintenance projects. The bill requires the Secretary of Higher Education, in consultation with the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority and representatives from public institutions of higher education, to develop a formula to allocate funding appropriated from the Higher Education Deferred Maintenance Fund. The bill also stipulates that funds allocated to a public institution of higher education under the bill may account for: up to 50 percent of the cost of a deferred maintenance project at a four-year public institution of higher education; and up to 100 percent of the cost of a deferred maintenance project at a two-year public institution of higher education. Any remaining costs are to be supported by non-State funds.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a "Higher Education Deferred Maintenance Fund" to address overdue repairs and upkeep at public colleges and universities. "Deferred maintenance" refers to maintenance that was planned but not completed, and a "deferred maintenance project" is any work done to fix these issues. Public higher education institutions will have 90 days after the bill becomes law to submit a plan to the Secretary of Higher Education, detailing their outstanding maintenance needs and estimated costs, which will be updated every five years. The fund will receive money appropriated by the Legislature, as well as any federal or private funds. The Secretary, working with the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority and university representatives, will create a system to distribute these funds. The bill specifies that these funds can cover up to 50% of the cost for a four-year university's maintenance project and up to 100% for a two-year college's project, with any remaining costs needing to be covered by non-state sources.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Higher Education 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/S1503 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S2000/1503_I1.HTM |
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