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A 5712

Provides for the recovery, reuse and recycling of hardcover books

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Michaelle Solages

NJ A5712 creates an air traffic controller loan-redemption program (up to $100k, 4 years of service) and grants totaling $2.5M to public colleges to expand aviation training.

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Bill Summary · A 5712

Summary — A5712 (2025): Air Traffic Controller Loan Redemption & Aviation Education Grants

Status & Timeline
- Introduced: May 22, 2025. Passed Assembly: June 30, 2025 (71–5–2). Reported favorably by Senate Higher Education Committee (2nd Reprint) on Nov 17, 2025 and referred to Senate Budget & Appropriations. Companion: S4432.
- Office of Legislative Services (OLS) fiscal estimate (June–July 2025) available.

Purpose
- To recruit and retain air traffic controllers and expand aviation-related education in New Jersey by (1) creating a loan redemption program for eligible air traffic controllers and (2) funding grants to public colleges to support aviation training initiatives.

Key provisions

  1. Air Traffic Controller Loan Redemption Program (within HESAA)
  2. Appropriation: $1,000,000 (supplemental), up to 5% ($50,000) for administrative costs.
  3. Eligibility: New Jersey resident employed as an air traffic controller at an “approved site” (an airport in the State or operated by a multi‑state agency serving the State). (Note: some earlier versions added a requirement to commence FAA employment after the bill’s effective date.)
  4. Benefit schedule (applies to “qualifying student loan amounts” — cumulative outstanding federal, State, or commercial student loans at selection):
    • 1st full year of service: redemption = 16% of qualifying loans (capped at $16,000);
    • 2nd year: additional 26% (capped at $26,000);
    • 3rd year: additional 28% (capped at $28,000);
    • 4th year: additional 30% (capped at $30,000).
  5. Total loan redemption per participant is capped at $100,000.

  6. Program administered by HESAA; participants enter written contracts; HESAA may adopt implementing rules; provisions for nullification in cases of death, total/permanent disability, or extreme hardship.

  7. Aviation Education & Training Grants (Office of the Secretary of Higher Education)

  8. Appropriation: $2,500,000 total for grants to public institutions.

  9. Purpose: support institutional participation in federal Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Collegiate Training Initiative; facilitate non‑engineering aviation degree programs with air traffic control/administration coursework; encourage participation in the FAA Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative; support establishment of a “Center for the Study of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena” (UAP).

  10. Application: institutions submit applications in form/manner prescribed by the Secretary; application materials include confirmation/plan for federal UAS participation, capacity for UAP Center, program plans, etc.

  11. Selection: Secretary reviews applications and selects one or more public institutions; preference is to institutions located in a county of the first class. (Earlier drafts set specific grant caps per institution; amended versions provide a total $2.5M in grants to be distributed.)

Fiscal impact (OLS)
- Up to $3.5 million State cost in Year 1 ($1.0M for loan redemption; $2.5M for grants). If not fully spent Year 1, residuals carry forward until exhausted.
- Revenue increase to participating institutions: up to $2.5M (indeterminate thereafter).
- OLS note: If each loan-redemption recipient received the $100,000 maximum, the $1M appropriation would support roughly 9–10 participants (payments are spread over the service years). Ongoing costs for a UAP Center are indeterminate.

Who is affected
- Eligible air traffic controllers (NJ residents at approved airports) — potential student loan relief tied to service.
- Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (administers loan redemption).
- Office of the Secretary of Higher Education and public colleges (grant applicants/recipients).
- FAA and participating airports (workforce/training partnerships).

Notes
- The bill has been amended through committee stages; specific administrative and eligibility details vary across reprints. Readers should consult the most recent reprint text for implementation language and any requirements added or removed in committee.

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

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