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Bill

S 4165

Relates to increasing the state code enforcement powers of the secretary of state

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jamaal Bailey and 5 co-sponsors

Creates a one-year Food Banks for Pets Pilot Program under the Health Dept to provide dog/cat food to financially strained owners, funded with $1M and evaluated for permanency.

REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
0
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Bill Summary · S 4165

Summary of New Jersey S 4165 (Introduced March 3, 2025)

Note: The bill’s title references increasing the state’s code enforcement powers of the secretary of state, but the introduced text focuses on creating a Food Banks for Pets Pilot Program administered by the Department of Health. The following summary reflects the introduced content and its substantive provisions.

Overview

  • Purpose: Establish a one-year (at minimum) pilot program to provide pet food (for cats and dogs) to pet owners facing financial hardship, with the goal of assisting households in meeting basic pet-care needs.
  • Primary administrator: New Jersey Department of Health (in coordination with selected nonprofit organizations and volunteer groups).
  • Reporting: Within one year of implementation, the department must report to the Governor and the Legislature with recommendations on whether to make the program permanent or disband it.
  • Funding: Creates a dedicated fund (Food Banks for Pets Fund) and allocates an initial $1,000,000 appropriation from the General Fund to support grants and program operations.

Key Provisions

A. Program Establishment and Scope

  • Establishes the Food Banks for Pets Pilot Program to provide pet food to financially challenged pet owners.
  • Term: Pilot lasts at least one year; may be extended if funding allows and program remains operational and goal-aligned.
  • Partners: Department of Health works with selected nonprofit organizations and volunteer groups to run the program.

B. Eligibility, Selection, and Operations

  • The department will:
    • Set eligibility criteria and selection processes for participating nonprofits/volunteer groups.
    • Identify and recruit suitable organizations to participate.
    • Delegate authority to selected partners to run the program (obtaining, collecting, and distributing pet food; managing monetary donations and food donations; establishing and operating pet food banks across municipalities; prioritizing eligible pet owners).
    • Coordinate with municipalities and participating organizations on implementation.
    • Promote participation through informational materials and outreach.
    • Adopt rules and regulations as needed under the Administrative Procedure Act.

C. Involvement of Animal Care Facilities

  • The department will consult with kennels, shelters, and pounds regarding their potential role and needs in the pilot, including potential involvement in operating food banks.

D. Donor and Recipient Immunities

  • Donors, recipient food banks, and distributing organizations are protected from liability for damages arising from donated or distributed pet food when donations/distributions are made in good faith.

E. Liability Protections

  • Good-faith participants in the food bank program are shielded from civil damages unless damages result from gross negligence, recklessness, or knowing misconduct.

F. Funding and Expenditures

  • The Department of Health may receive and spend funds from:
    • General appropriations/allocations aligned with the act
    • Grants, loans, gifts, bequests, endowments
    • Other permissible funding sources
  • The Food Banks for Pets Fund receives these funds and may be used for:
    • Advertising and publicizing the pilot
    • Developing and distributing informational materials
    • Awarding grants to participating organizations
    • Offsetting costs incurred by departments, municipalities, or participating groups
    • Financing additional activities supportive of the program's operation

G. Specific Appropriation

  • A specific appropriation of $1,000,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Health is made to seed the Food Banks for Pets Fund for grants and related activities.

Affected Parties

  • State: Department of Health (lead agency) and potentially other state-level coordination.
  • Local government: Municipalities hosting or partnering with food banks for pets.
  • Nonprofits and volunteers: Selected organizations that will operate food banks and distribute pet food.
  • Pet owners: Individuals/families facing financial hardship who own cats or dogs.
  • Animal care facilities: Kennels, shelters, and pounds may participate or support the pilot.

Timeline and Process

  • Implementation: Pilot to operate for at least one year, with possible extension.
  • Evaluation: A formal report due within one year of implementation to Governor and Legislature, including a recommendation on permanency.
  • Rules: Department may adopt regulations as needed under the Administrative Procedure Act.

Legislative Status and Sponsors

  • Status: REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO FINANCE
  • Introduced: March 3, 2025
  • Sponsors: Jamaal Bailey (primary), with cosponsors Brian Kavanagh, Kevin S. Parker, Michelle Hinchey, James Skoufis, and Gustavo Rivera
  • Related actions: Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee; also listed in prior-session related bills and companion/related bills

Note: This summary focuses on the introduced text’s substance and potential impact on pet-food access, nonprofit partnerships, and state administration of a pilot program.

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

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