Bill
Bill > S3437
NJ S3437
NJ S3437Allows public libraries, boards of education, and local governments to dispose of certain personal property without advertising for bids.
summary
Introduced
02/09/2026
02/09/2026
In Committee
02/09/2026
02/09/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill would revise the "Public School Contracts Law," ("PSCL") N.J.S.18A:18A-1 et seq., the "Local Public Contracts Law," ("LPCL") P.L.1971, c.198 (C.40A:11-1 et seq.), and current law regarding county library commissions and boards of trustees for regional, municipal or joint public libraries. The bill enhances the ability of boards of education, governing bodies of municipalities, counties, and other local entities, to dispose of certain personal property through private sales. Currently, a county library commission or a board of trustees for a regional, municipal, or joint public library may purchase certain library materials without advertising for bids. These library materials include: books, periodicals, newspapers, documents, pamphlets, photographs, reproductions, microforms, pictorial or graphic works, musical scores, maps, charts, globes, sound recordings, slides, films, filmstrips, video and magnetic tapes, other printed or published matter, and audiovisual and other materials of a similar nature. This bill amends the law to allow public libraries to also dispose of those materials without advertising for bids. The bill further provides that a board of education or governing body of a local governing unit seeking to dispose of certain property with an estimated fair value no less than 15 percent of the bid threshold, but no greater than the actual bid threshold, as defined by the PSCL and LPCL, may sell such property by private sale if the contracting agent, to the extent practicable, obtains at least two competitive offers. Property sold in this manner would go to the party with the highest offer. In addition, the bill would revise the PSCL and the LPCL to allow a school board or local governing body seeking to sell personal property with an estimated fair value which is less than 15 percent of the bid threshold to do so by private sale without advertising for bids or soliciting competitive offers.
AI Summary
This bill allows public libraries, school boards, and local governments to sell certain personal property without the usual requirement of advertising for bids, which is a process designed to ensure fair pricing through competition. Specifically, public libraries will now be able to dispose of library materials like books, periodicals, and audiovisual items without advertising for bids, similar to how they can currently purchase these items. For other personal property, school boards and local governing bodies can sell items with an estimated fair value between 15% and 100% of the "bid threshold" (a monetary limit set by law) through a private sale, provided they obtain at least two competitive offers, with the highest offer winning. If the property's estimated fair value is less than 15% of the bid threshold, or if it's livestock or perishable goods, it can be sold privately without bids or competitive offers, or even donated to certain entities, with some restrictions on donations. This aims to streamline the disposal of unneeded public property.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee (on 02/09/2026)
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/S3437 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S3500/3437_I1.HTM |
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