Bill
S 3835
Creates the Office of Cybersecurity Infrastructure to set state cybersecurity and AI policies, coordinate executive-branch tech, and enable secure public/private interactions.
Note on source materials
- The materials you provided contain conflicting metadata (bill title and sponsors) but the bill text, committee statement, and fiscal note all describe an act to establish an Office of Cybersecurity Infrastructure in New Jersey. This summary is based on the bill text, committee report (Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee, 2/25/2025) and the Legislative Fiscal Estimate (8/4/2025).
Summary
- S.3835 would create the Office of Cybersecurity Infrastructure (OCI) in the Executive Branch of New Jersey state government. The OCI would be located “in, but not of,” the Department of the Treasury and operate independently of supervision or control by the State Treasurer or the Department. The office’s mission is to develop and implement statewide cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) policies, coordinate technology infrastructure and agency cybersecurity operations across the Executive Branch, and enable secure interactions between residents and nonprofit/private organizations.
Key provisions
- Establishes the Office of Cybersecurity Infrastructure and defines “cybersecurity infrastructure” and “artificial intelligence (AI).”
- Placement: OCI is “in, but not of,” the Department of the Treasury and constituted as an independent State instrumentality.
- Leadership:
- As amended by committee, led by a Director of the Office of Cybersecurity Infrastructure, appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate; serves full‑time and receives a statutory salary.
- Director may appoint up to six Deputy Directors (each serving at pleasure of the Director) responsible for planning, coordination, budgeting, architecture, and large-scale initiatives.
- Duties and powers:
- Establish and implement State cybersecurity policies.
- Establish, implement, and monitor technology infrastructure so private and nonprofit entities can securely interact with residents.
- Establish AI policies to guide safe public/private integration of AI into professional practices.
- Coordinate and conduct cybersecurity operations for Executive Branch agencies, draft Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with departments/agencies, and enter into agreements with public/private entities as needed.
- Director must consult with the State Chief Technology Officer (Office of Information Technology), the State Chief Information Security Officer, and the Director of the New Jersey Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC).
- Transparency and reporting:
- OCI must develop and maintain a public website about its operations.
- Director provides periodic reports to the Governor and an annual report to the Governor and Legislature due on or before January 1 each year; the annual report must be publicly posted.
Fiscal and operational impact
- Office of Legislative Services (8/4/2025): Annual State expenditure increase — indeterminate. The bill does not specify staffing levels, organizational structure, or an operating budget. OLS also notes unclear overlap or coordination with existing entities (Office of Information Technology, NJ Office of Homeland Security & Preparedness, NJCCIC) and potential need for leased office space. The Director will submit OCI budget requests directly to the Division of Budget and Accounting (Treasury).
Who would be affected
- Executive Branch departments and agencies (required to engage in SLAs and coordination).
- State-level cybersecurity and IT entities (coordination, potential role re‑definition).
- Private and nonprofit organizations that interact with residents (may rely on OCI infrastructure guidance or agreements).
- New Jersey residents (benefit from improved cybersecurity and AI policy frameworks).
- The Legislature (receives annual reports).
Procedural status (as provided)
- Introduced: October 24, 2024.
- Reported out of Senate committee with amendments: February 25, 2025.
- Referred/committed to Finance: Reported and committed to Finance on May 19, 2025.
- Companion and related bills noted in materials.
Effective date
- The bill states it would take effect immediately upon enactment.
Questions or follow-ups
- If you want, I can:
- Compare this bill to related measures (A5036, A4893, S7770) or previous session versions.
- Draft a short explainer for affected agencies (what to expect if OCI is enacted).
- Track subsequent actions (Finance committee outcomes, floor votes).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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