New Jersey Assembly Bill A3197

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Increases amount of cigarette and other tobacco products tax revenues provided to New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research from $1 million to $4 million; establishes dedicated, non-lapsing Cancer Research Fund.

Impact

The proposed changes in A3197 will directly impact funding allocations for cancer research activities in New Jersey. By creating a non-lapsing fund, the bill ensures that the resources are protected from being transferred to the General Fund, which has been a concern in previous years. This alteration aims to facilitate consistent and reliable funding for significant cancer research projects that are authorized and approved by the NJCCR, further supporting the state's goal of advancing cancer treatment and prevention initiatives.

Summary

Assembly Bill A3197 aims to significantly increase funding for the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research (NJCCR) by raising the amount of revenues obtained from cigarette and other tobacco product taxes from $1 million to $4 million annually. The bill proposes the establishment of a dedicated, non-lapsing Cancer Research Fund within the Department of the Treasury. This funding is intended to enhance the existing financial resources available for cancer research, making it comparable to state funding allocated for other critical areas such as spinal cord and brain injury research which also typically sees funding in the range of $4 million to $6 million.

Contention

Discussions surrounding A3197 may revolve around potential contention regarding the allocation of tax revenues from tobacco products. Some stakeholders may question the ethics of using revenue from tobacco taxes to fund cancer research, given that tobacco use is a primary cause of cancer. Additionally, there may be debates on whether the increase in funding is adequate or if it addresses other pressing public health issues within the state. Furthermore, any shifts in funding could necessitate careful monitoring to ensure the efficient use of taxpayer dollars towards cancer research objectives.