SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1842

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  NOVEMBER 15, 2021

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 1842.

      As amended and reported by the committee, this bill makes permanent the three year "New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Pilot Program" established in the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (OHSP) by P.L.2017, c.246.  This pilot program expired on January 10, 2020. 

      As amended, the bill establishes the permanent "New Jersey Nonprofit Security Grant Program" (NJNSGP) to provide grants from annually appropriated funds to eligible nonprofit organizations at the greatest risk of attack to: (1) hire certain permanent or temporary security personnel; and (2) acquire target hardening equipment.

      The amended bill specifically requires the OHSP to request annually as part of its budget proposal at least $2,000,000 for the NJNSGP to award grants to eligible nonprofit organizations for the purpose of preparing against terrorist attacks, threats, domestic extremism, or other violent acts.  These organizations may apply for up to $10,000 in grants for the costs of permanent or temporary security personnel and up to $50,000 for acquiring target hardening equipment.  As amended, OHSP may adjust the grant amounts based upon the final availability of funds, analytical trends, and emerging threats. 

      Eligible nonprofit organizations under the amended bill are nonprofit organizations which are located in the State and are exempt from federal taxation pursuant to federal law.  Security personnel includes federal, State, county, and municipal law enforcement officers, special law enforcement officers, and licensed security officers.  The grant can cover the costs of hiring security personnel for an event that is within the State, but away from the applicant’s location, for which the applicant is legally liable.  Grant funds under the bill may only be used for security investments within the State and are prohibited from being used to support security needs while traveling out of the State.  

      Applicants for grants from the program are permitted to apply for either security personnel or equipment grants, or both, in each year of the program, but OHSP may only award funds for either security personnel or equipment in a fiscal year.  The OHSP is to give preference to applicants who have not received a grant within the last two grant cycles. 

      As amended and reported by the committee, Senate Bill No. 1842 is identical to Assembly Bill No. 1663 (2R), which also was reported by the committee on this same date. 

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

     The committee amended the bill to: 

     1)  specify that funds are to be dedicated to those nonprofit organizations at greatest risk of attack;

     2)  authorize the Director of Office of Homeland Security and State Preparedness to adjust appropriated grant amounts for security personnel and target hardening based on the final availability of funds, analytical trends, and emerging threats; and

     3)  limit grants to covering the costs of security personnel for events within the geographic boundaries of the State. 

     The committee also made other technical and clarifying amendments to the bill.