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Bill

ACR 149

Proposes constitutional amendment describing manner in which Legislature provides required maintenance and support of public schools.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Bob Auth and 1 co-sponsor

Describes the framework for how New Jersey legislators will provide for the maintenance and support of public schools, guiding future funding, standards, and accountability.

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Bill Summary · ACR 149

Overview

ACR 149 is a proposed constitutional amendment in the New Jersey Legislature (Session 222) that aims to describe the manner in which the Legislature provides for the required maintenance and support of public schools. The measure is sponsored with co-sponsors Dawn Fantasia and Bob Auth. As a constitutional amendment, it would require approval by the Legislature and typically may involve a future statewide voter referendum to take effect, depending on the specific procedural provisions attached to the joint resolution.

Purpose and Intent

  • To articulate how the Legislature will fulfill its constitutional obligation to provide for the maintenance and support of public schools.
  • To define or clarify the processes, standards, or mechanisms by which state funding and support for public education are described or administered within the framework of New Jersey’s constitution.

Key Provisions and Changes (as described by the bill)

  • Describes the manner in which the Legislature will provide for the maintenance and support of public schools. While the exact text of the amendment is not provided here, such resolutions typically specify:
    • The source or method of funding for public education (e.g., annual appropriations, formula-based funding, or earmarked revenues).
    • The role of state appropriations in meeting constitutional obligations related to education.
    • Any standards or criteria the Legislature intends to follow in distributing funds to school districts.
    • Potential procedural steps for implementation, transition, or oversight to ensure compliance with the amendment.
  • It is common for constitutional amendments to set forth principles or framework language rather than a detailed funding formula, leaving specific operational details to subsequent statutes or regulatory actions.

Who and What is Affected

  • Public schools and school districts in New Jersey would be affected insofar as the amendment shapes how the state fulfills its educational funding obligations.
  • State government, including the Legislature and the executive branch, would be guided by the constitutional change in designing and approving annual or multi-year funding plans for public education.
  • Students, parents, teachers, and administrators may experience the effects through the level and consistency of state support for K-12 education, subject to how the amendment is implemented and funded.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • As a Constitutional Amendment (ACR = Assembly Concurrent Resolution), it would typically require:
    • Passage by both houses of the Legislature.
    • A potential statewide voter referendum to ratify the amendment, depending on procedural rules in New Jersey.
    • Once ratified, the amendment would become part of the New Jersey Constitution, guiding subsequent funding practices.
  • Specific implementation dates, transition timelines, and any required interim rules or statutes would depend on the final language adopted and any accompanying legislative actions.

Practical Implications

  • If enacted and ratified, the amendment could provide a constitutional framework for how the state allocates resources to public education, potentially affecting funding formulas, distribution standards, and accountability measures.
  • The measure signals legislative intent to formalize the description of maintenance and support for public schools in the Constitutional framework, which may influence future budget negotiations and long-term planning.

Note: This summary reflects the bill’s stated purpose and typical features of similar constitutional amendments. For precise language, the text of ACR 149 and any accompanying floor statements or committee reports should be consulted.

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

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