Bill
A 5606
The bill ensures the $500,000 Meals on Wheels grant is distributed by the official Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, clarifying administration and immediate effectiveness.
Title: Summary of Assembly Bill No. A-5606 (FY 2025 Meals on Wheels funding distribution clarification)
Note on title: The bill’s content in the provided materials concerns clarifying the distribution of a $500,000 Meals on Wheels grant in the FY 2025 state budget, not a nondiscrimination provision. The summary below reflects the actual provisions and effects as shown in the accompanying documents.
Overview and purpose
- Purpose: To correct and clarify the distribution of a $500,000 Meals on Wheels grant within the FY 2025 state appropriations act, ensuring the funds are allocated to and distributed by the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey (JFNNJ) for the Meals on Wheels program.
- Context: The FY 2025 appropriation already provides $500,000 for the Meals on Wheels program but designated distribution to the Jewish Federation of New Jersey, which is not the official organization name. The bill designates JFNNJ as the distributing entity to align with the intended recipient.
Key provisions
- Specific amendment: Reallocates the line item under the Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Services, Grants-in-Aid for Programs for the Aged to read:
- Total Grant: $500,000 (from General Fund)
- Grants-in-Aid: Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey – Meals on Wheels Program: $500,000
- Effective date: Immediate (takes effect on enactment).
- Legislative fix: Amends P.L.2024, c.22 (FY 2025 annual appropriations act) to replace the unnamed or incorrectly named recipient with the official organization (JFNNJ).
Affected parties and impact
- Primary beneficiary: Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey (as the designated distributor of the Meals on Wheels funds) and, by extension, providers and recipients served by the Meals on Wheels program in the state.
- State budget impact: Maintains the $500,000 appropriation for the Meals on Wheels program; the bill does not create new funding or alter the total appropriation, but clarifies administrative responsibility and distribution.
- Administrative effect: Reduces potential confusion or misallocation caused by referencing the non-official organization name; ensures funds are administered by the intended organization.
Procedural and timeline highlights
- Introduced: May 5, 2025 (Assembly, A-5606)
- Primary sponsors: Assemblyman Chris Tully (District 38); Senator Nicholas P. Scutari (companion S-4474)
- Legislative actions:
- February–May 2025: Referred to appropriate committees; Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably; Senate committees report favorably.
- May 22, 2025: Passed the Assembly (77-0-0)
- June 2–4, 2025: Passed the Senate (38-0) and returned to the Assembly
- June 4, 2025: Enacted as P.L. 2025, c. 61; effective immediately
- Companion legislation: S-4474 (Senate version), identical in substance
Bottom line
A-5606 is a technical corrections bill that preserves a $500,000 Meals on Wheels grant in the FY 2025 budget, but guarantees the funds are distributed by the correct, officially named organization—Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey—thereby ensuring proper administration and delivery of Meals on Wheels services. The act is immediately effective and codified as Chapter 61 of 2025.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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