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Bill

A 4224

Prohibits the percentage of disbursements from the state lottery fund that goes towards education aid from falling below 45.15%

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe DeStefano and 5 co-sponsors

Guarantees education aid at least 45.15% of state lottery fund disbursements to stabilize funding even if lottery receipts fall.

REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 4224

Summary: Assembly Bill A 4224 (2025)

Overview

A 4224 seeks to safeguard the portion of the state lottery fund disbursements that goes to education aid, establishing a floor of 45.15%. The bill’s core purpose is to prevent the share allocated to education from dipping below this specified threshold.

Purpose and Intent

  • Ensure a minimum guaranteed percentage of state lottery fund disbursements to education aid.
  • Create a fiscal guardrail intended to stabilize education funding derived from lottery revenues, regardless of fluctuations in overall lottery receipts.

Key Provisions (as described)

  • Prohibition on falling below a 45.15% share: The bill would require that the percentage of lottery fund disbursements allocated to education aid not be less than 45.15%.
  • Scope and definitions: The bill likely defines what constitutes “education aid” and “state lottery fund disbursements” within its text (not specified in the provided summary). The interpretation of these terms would determine the precise mechanics and affected programs.
  • Enforcement/administration: Specific enforcement mechanisms, reporting requirements, or remedies would be set forth in the bill’s text (not detailed in the summary).

Who/What Would Be Affected

  • Education programs and initiatives that receive funding through the state lottery fund.
  • The state budget planning process, particularly the relationship between lottery revenues and education funding.
  • The agencies and entities administering the lottery fund and education aid programs.
  • Potentially taxpayers and educational institutions, depending on how the floor interacts with other funding sources.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced: January 31, 2025.
  • Current status: Referred to Ways and Means (a committee that reviews fiscal and budgetary implications).
  • Legislative actions listed: Two entries on 2025-01-31 showing the referral to Ways and Means (likely a formatting or duplication note in the record).
  • Next steps (typical process): If advanced by Ways and Means, the bill would proceed to floor consideration, potential amendments, and votes in the chamber(s), followed by negotiation with the other house if applicable and eventual enactment or veto considerations.

Sponsors

  • Primary sponsor: Chris Tague
  • Co-sponsors: Nader Sayegh, Joe DeStefano, Brian D. Miller, Michael Durso, Stephen Hawley

Related Bills (prior-session)

  • A 6020, A 5739, A 10402, A 5400, A 5646, A 4221, A 2749 (prior-session bills with potentially similar aims or background)

Considerations and Questions

  • How “education aid” and “state lottery fund disbursements” are specifically defined in the bill.
  • Whether the floor is a hard statutory floor or a target subject to adjustments under budget constraints.
  • How the floor would be enforced if lottery revenues decline or if legislative priorities shift.
  • Impacts on other uses of the lottery fund if the education share is protected by a strict floor.

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

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