ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 2158

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 3, 2016

      The Assembly Education Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 2158.

     This bill provides that a school district may use its emergency reserve fund to finance school security improvements, including improvements to school facilities.  Under current law, a district may only withdraw money from the emergency reserve fund to pay the cost of unanticipated general fund current expense costs.  The bill also provides that proceeds from bonds issued by the Economic Development Authority to finance the State’s school construction program may be used to fund school facilities projects related to improving school security.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2016-2017 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.