WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

A 2128

Repeals law that requires funds for legislative agents to be assessed on student tuition bills in certain manner.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Carter and 8 co-sponsors

Repeals the 1995 ban on including funds for legislative-advocacy groups on tuition bills, while keeping optional-fee safeguards via referenda and disclosures.

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 2128

Bill Summary – A-2128 (New Jersey, 2022 Session)

Overview

  • Jurisdiction: New Jersey
  • Committee: Assembly Higher Education (introduced January 13, 2026)
  • Principal aim: Repeal the 1995 law (P.L.1995, c.63) that restricts how funds for legislative agents can be assessed on student tuition bills at public higher education institutions.
  • Status: Introduced; immediate effective date upon enactment.

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill repeals P.L.1995, c.63 (C.18A:62-22), which the sponsor argues limits students’ rights by restricting the assessment of funds for legislative agents or organizations that attempt to influence legislation on student tuition bills.
  • The sponsor contends the law has the effect of silencing students participating in certain organizations by preventing these groups from having funding placed on tuition bills, even when nonpartisan.

Key Provisions (as repealed by A-2128)

  • Repeal of current restriction: P.L.1995, c.63, which prohibits public college/university governing bodies from allowing funds for legislative agents or advocacy organizations that influence legislation to be assessed on student tuition bills.
  • Allowance for optional fees (existing framework): The current law permits optional fees for nonpartisan organizations employing legislative agents or attempting to influence legislation, but only if:
    • The optional fee is authorized by a majority vote in a student referendum.
    • The fee appears on the student tuition bill as a separately assessed item and is not a mandatory charge or a waivable fee.
    • A disclosure accompanies the fee, explaining:
    • The nature of the item.
    • That the item is not a required charge.
    • The student may add the charge to the total amount due.
    • The item appeared on the bill at the request of the student body and may not reflect the institution’s endorsement.

Who/What Is Affected

  • Public institutions of higher education in New Jersey (e.g., public colleges and universities) and their governing bodies.
  • Student organizations that engage in legislative advocacy or attempt to influence legislation.
  • Students who may be assessed optional fees for such organizations (subject to the existing optional-fee framework and referenda requirements).

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective date: The act specifies that it shall take effect immediately upon enactment.
  • Legislative process: As of the provided information, the bill has been introduced and referred to the Assembly Higher Education Committee for consideration.
  • Action history: Introduced on 2026-01-13.

Potential Impact and Considerations

  • Increased funding flexibility: By repealing the prohibition, public institutions could assign funds for legislative-advocacy organizations (including possible student-funded support) without being constrained by the 1995 limitation.
  • Student referenda requirement remains: If optional fees for such organizations continue, they would still require a majority vote in a student referendum and must follow disclosure requirements.
  • Debate over speech and association: The repeal could shift the balance between student association rights, campus governance, and institutional financial oversight. Stakeholders may include student governments, advocacy groups, institutional administrators, and taxpayers.
  • Transparency safeguards: The existing disclosure requirements for optional fees would continue to apply for any such fees, ensuring students understand the nature and non-mandatory status of these charges.

Summary

A-2128 seeks to repeal a 1995 restriction on funding for legislative-advocacy activities within public higher education by removing the prohibition on assessing funds for legislative agents on tuition bills. While the repeal removes the explicit ban, it retains the existing framework for optional fees, including referendum approval and disclosure, thus maintaining some guardrails around any student-authorized charges related to advocacy organizations. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage.

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

Sign in to ask a question.