New Jersey Assembly Bill A2328

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Requires DCA to track natural disaster-related spending by State and local government.

Impact

The enactment of A2328 is expected to significantly improve the fiscal transparency of how local and state governments manage funds concerning natural disasters. By categorizing expenditures into preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery, the bill provides a structured approach to understanding disaster-related financial activities. The DCA is also tasked with reporting on the origin of these funds and any anticipated reimbursements, which could foster more strategic financial planning and allocation in the future.

Summary

Assembly Bill A2328 aims to require the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to track and report on natural disaster-related spending across various levels of government. This bill mandates the DCA to develop a plain-language budget summary that outlines expenditures related to natural disasters, ensuring that the public can easily understand how funds are allocated for disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts. This summary will be made available online, enhancing transparency and accountability for government spending.

Contention

There are potential areas of contention surrounding the bill, particularly regarding the administrative burden it may place on local governments as they are required to summarize their spending related to natural disasters. Critics may argue that this requirement could strain resources, especially in smaller municipalities. However, supporters contend that the benefits of enhanced accountability and public awareness outweigh the challenges. Additionally, the bill’s efficacy will depend on the DCA’s ability to create and maintain a user-friendly reporting system that accurately reflects this spending.