ASSEMBLY HOMELAND SECURITY AND STATE PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5790

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 14, 2021

      The Assembly Homeland Security and State Preparedness Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 5790.

      As reported by the committee, Assembly Bill No. 5790 requires the Attorney General, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, to establish and maintain, at a publicly accessible location on its Internet website, a searchable database of information concerning domestic extremist organizations operating within or with any known connection to the State.

      The bill defines a “domestic extremist organization” as a group formed or individuals associated for the purpose of engaging in domestic extremism. “Domestic extremism” is defined as the activity of groups or individuals who commit or plan violent criminal acts motivated by a political or ideological viewpoint.

      The bill requires the database to include, but not be limited to, the following information concerning each domestic extremist organization:  any name or nickname associated with the organization; a description of the organization’s purpose and objectives; information concerning membership and recruiting tactics of the organization, including whether the organization is known to recruit current or former members of law enforcement agencies or the military; and any known criminal activities of the group.