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Bill

S 4508

Establishes scramble crosswalks leading to and from school buildings during times of student arrival and dismissal

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Addabbo and 9 co-sponsors

Creates a dedicated Higher Education Deferred Maintenance Fund to fund up to 50% (four-year) or 100% (county colleges) of planned deferred maintenance projects, with reporting.

REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
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Bill Summary · S 4508

Summary of S 4508

Note on title vs. content: The bill’s title refers to scramble crosswalks at school buildings, but the introduced version content provided here addresses funding and planning for deferred maintenance at public institutions of higher education in New Jersey. The summary below focuses on the actual provisions in the introduced version.

Overview and Intent

  • The bill creates a dedicated funding mechanism and planning requirements to address deferred maintenance at public institutions of higher education (four-year state colleges/universities and county colleges) in New Jersey.
  • It aims to standardize planning, funding, and reporting for deferred maintenance projects to improve the condition and safety of higher education facilities.

Key Provisions

1) Definitions and Planning Requirements

  • Defines:
    • Deferred maintenance: scheduled or unscheduled maintenance that was not performed.
    • Deferred maintenance project: capital improvements addressing deferred maintenance needs.
    • Secretary: Secretary of Higher Education.
  • Within 90 days after enactment, each public institution of higher education must:
    • Develop and submit to the Secretary a deferred maintenance plan detailing outstanding needs and estimated costs.
    • Update (revise and resubmit) the plan every five years. If an institution maintains a long-range facilities plan (per existing law), it may align and submit updates to both plans together.

2) Higher Education Deferred Maintenance Fund

  • Establishes a nonlapsing, revolving fund in the Department of the Treasury named the “Higher Education Deferred Maintenance Fund.”
  • The fund may receive:
    • Legislative appropriations.
    • Federal or private funds available for the purpose.
  • The Legislature may appropriate funds from this fund to support deferred maintenance projects as detailed in each institution’s plan.
  • The Secretary, in consultation with the Executive Director of the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority and representatives from public higher education institutions, must develop a formula to allocate funds to each institution.

3) Use of Funds and Reporting

  • Funds allocated to an institution may cover:
    • Up to 50% of the cost of a deferred maintenance project at a four-year public institution.
    • Up to 100% of the cost of a deferred maintenance project at a county college.
  • Any remaining project costs must be funded from non-State sources.
  • Institutions must report to the Secretary details of the deferred maintenance projects funded with these funds.

4) Effective Date

  • The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Affected Entities

  • Public institutions of higher education in New Jersey, including four-year state/public institutions and county colleges.
  • The fund is administered by the Treasury, with oversight and formula development by the Secretary of Higher Education, the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority, and participating institutions.

Legislative History and Sponsors

  • Introduced: May 22, 2025
  • Status: REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE (Senate Higher Education; action history shows prior referral to Transportation before advancing)
  • Primary sponsor: Jessica Ramos (with multiple cosponsors, including Luis R. Sepúlveda and others)

Related Bills

  • Several related or companion bills listed (e.g., S 8099, S 2880, S 2515; A 4251).

Potential Impact

  • Provides a structured, state-funded mechanism to address aging facilities across public colleges and universities.
  • Encourages regular, scheduled maintenance planning and transparent reporting.
  • Shifts a portion of deferred maintenance costs to the state through the new fund, potentially reducing long-term facility deterioration.
  • Requires institutions to secure non-State funds for remaining project costs beyond the State contribution.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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