New Jersey Assembly Bill A5320

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/13/25
• Refer: 2/13/25
• Report Pass: 5/15/25

Caption

Amends Fiscal Year 2025 annual appropriations act to assign distribution of funding for Community Security Initiatives to Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey.

Impact

The introduction of A5320 aims to streamline the funding process by ensuring that the financial resources are directly tied to the appropriate organizational body, which is the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey. This change is intended to enhance the effectiveness of funding distribution so that community security efforts can be more efficiently managed and allocated according to localized needs. The amendment would require the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting’s approval to disburse these funds, thereby promoting accountability in funding distribution.

Summary

Assembly Bill A5320 aims to amend the Fiscal Year 2025 annual appropriations act by specifically assigning the distribution of $1.5 million in funding for Community Security Initiatives to the Jewish Federation of Southern New Jersey. This funding is designated to support community security initiatives undertaken by Jewish Federations across the state of New Jersey. Currently, the appropriations act funds are allocated generically to the Jewish Federation of New Jersey, but A5320 seeks to clarify and specify that the distribution is to be managed by the Southern New Jersey organization.

Contention

While the bill seems straightforward in its intent to modify the financial allocation within the existing appropriations framework, it does raise some potential points of contention. Discussions around the bill may revolve around the exclusivity of funding directed specifically towards a religious community organization, leading to debates over equity in funding for security initiatives among various community groups. Additionally, stakeholders may express differing views regarding the role and influence of religious organizations in public safety matters, particularly in relation to governmental funding.