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Bill > A4384
NJ A4384
NJ A4384Directs State Treasurer to debit from State operating aid allocated to public research university amount equal to costs incurred by institution in implementing agreements reached with certain student protestors.
summary
Introduced
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
In Committee
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill directs the State Treasurer to debit from a public research university's State operating aid an amount equal to the costs incurred by the institution in implementing any agreements reached with students protesting the Israel-Hamas conflict that began on October 7, 2023. Under the bill, aid is to be reduced by the costs associated with: (1) the institution's acceptance of, and any institutional aid provided for, displaced Gazan students; (2) establishing an Arab Cultural Center; (3) establishing an educational and collaborative partnership with Birzeit University; (4) hiring senior administrators with cultural competency and knowledge about Arabs, Palestinians, Muslims, anti-Palestinian racism, and Islamophobia; 5) hiring additional professors specializing in Palestine studies and Middle East studies; (6) establishing a center for Palestinian studies and the departmentalization of Middle East studies; (7) displaying the flags of a country or territory that is controlled by a foreign terrorist organization as designated by the United States Secretary of State; and (8) providing amnesty to students, student groups, faculty, and staff involved in anti-Semitic protests on the campus of the institution. This bill is in response to encampments on the lawns of Voorhees Mall at Rutgers University-New Brunswick by students demanding various actions from the institution in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The sponsor notes that Rutgers negotiated with the trespassing students and came to agreements with students supporting a terrorist organization. The sponsor also notes that, if implemented, the agreements will require the spending of taxpayer dollars.
AI Summary
This bill directs the State Treasurer to reduce the State operating aid given to a public research university by the amount the university spends to fulfill agreements made with students who protested the Israel-Hamas conflict. This includes costs for accepting and aiding displaced students from Gaza, creating an Arab Cultural Center, partnering with Birzeit University, hiring administrators and professors with specific cultural knowledge and expertise in Palestine and Middle East studies, establishing a Palestinian studies center, and allowing the display of flags of entities designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the U.S. Secretary of State. The bill also mandates that the university provide amnesty to individuals involved in anti-Semitic protests, and the reduction in aid would cover the costs associated with this amnesty. This legislation is a response to protests at Rutgers University, where the sponsor claims the university negotiated with trespassing students and agreed to spend taxpayer money on demands that include supporting a terrorist organization.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee (on 02/19/2026)
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/A4384 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A4500/4384_I1.HTM |
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