Amends Constitution to dedicate money credited to the "9-1-1 System and Emergency Response Trust Fund Account" to maintain 9-1-1 system and emergency response.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Rob Clifton and 3 co-sponsors

Constitutional amendment to dedicate all funds in the 9-1-1 System and Emergency Response Trust Fund Account to maintaining the 9-1-1 system and emergency response.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee

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Summary: Bill ACR 158

What this bill is

Type: Concurrent Resolution (constitutional amendment)

Title: Amends the Constitution to dedicate money credited to the “9-1-1 System and Emergency Response Trust Fund Account” to maintaining the 9-1-1 system and emergency response.

Status: Introduced in the New Jersey Assembly on March 24, 2025; referred to the Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee.

Sponsor: Assemblywoman Victoria A. Flynn (District 13, Monmouth). Co-sponsored by Assemblymen Clifton, Myhre, and Rumpf.

Related bill: SCR 50 (companion).

Purpose and intent

The bill seeks to amend the state constitution so that any money credited to the 9-1-1 System and Emergency Response Trust Fund Account would be dedicated specifically for maintaining the 9-1-1 system and related emergency response activities, rather than being available for other uses.

Key provisions (as introduced)

Constitutional amendment: Establishes a dedicated allocation or restriction on funds currently credited to the 9-1-1 System and Emergency Response Trust Fund Account.

Use of funds: The dedicated funds would be used exclusively to maintain and support the 9-1-1 system and emergency response capabilities.

Who/what would be affected

The 9-1-1 System and Emergency Response Trust Fund Account: Funds in the account would be restricted to maintenance and emergency response purposes.

State government and emergency services: Potentially more predictable, long-term financing for 9-1-1 infrastructure, technology, and related emergency-response operations.

Taxpayers and residents: Indirectly affected through potential changes in funding stability and any shifts in the balance between flexibility in emergency funding and dedicated funding mandates.

Financial and policy implications

Pros: Provides dedicated, stable funding for 9-1-1 system maintenance and emergency response, which could improve system reliability and upgrade readiness.

Cons: Reduces flexibility in how the fund’s money can be used, potentially constraining other emergency response or general fund priorities that might previously have drawn from the same account.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction: 03/24/2025

Committee action: Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee (no committee report or floor action provided yet in the introduced text).

Constitutional amendment path: As a constitutional measure, approval would typically require passage by both legislative chambers and a subsequent statewide voter referendum. The companion SCR 50 indicates parallel consideration in another chamber.

Notes on context

The bill is currently in the early stage of the legislative process as introduced. If advanced, it would require debate on the necessity and impact of dedicating fund resources to 9-1-1 and emergency response, alongside any fiscal analyses and potential voter consideration if ultimately adopted as a constitutional amendment.