Bill Text: NJ S202 | 2026-2027 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires Rutgers University study economic impact of military installations in NJ; appropriates $155,000.
Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced) 2026-02-19 - Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee [S202 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2026-S202-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
222nd LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator PATRICK J. DIEGNAN, JR.
District 18 (Middlesex)
Senator KRISTIN M. CORRADO
District 40 (Bergen, Essex and Passaic)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senators A.M.Bucco and Space
SYNOPSIS
Requires Rutgers University study economic impact of military installations in NJ; appropriates $155,000.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning a study of the economic impact of the military installations in New Jersey.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. The Rutgers Economic Advisory Service in the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy of Rutgers, The State University, shall study the economic impact of the military installations in New Jersey to determine the overall impact of the installations upon the State gross domestic product.
The purpose of the analysis shall be to:
(1) provide data-driven insights to deliver a thorough understanding of the economic impacts of proposed operating and capital budgets for all military installations within the State, including direct and indirect impacts at the State and county levels;
(2) evaluate the benefits and provide an objective review of potential construction and infrastructure projects, military and civilian employment, and State and local tax generation; and
(3) support strategic decision-making to serve as a foundation for evidence-based resource allocation and long-term planning while identifying potential weaknesses and threats.
A report shall be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), within one year after the effective date of this act, P.L. , c. (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
b. The Rutgers Economic Advisory Service in the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy of Rutgers, The State University, shall be entitled to call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of such employees of any State, county, or municipal department, board, commission, or agency as may be required and as may be available to it for the purpose of carrying out its duties under this act, and employ such staff, contract with such consultants and experts, and incur such traveling and other miscellaneous expenses as it may deem necessary to perform its duties and as may be within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise made available to it for those purposes.
c. For the purposes of this section:
"Military installation" means a base, camp, post, station, yard, center, homeport facility for any ship, or other activity under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense, including any leased facility, located within the State. Such term does not include any facility used primarily for civil works, rivers and harbors projects, or flood control projects.
2. There is appropriated from the General Fund to Rutgers, The State University, the sum of $155,000 for the purposes of this act, P.L. , c. (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy of Rutgers, The State University, through its Economic Advisory Service, to study the economic impact of the military installations in New Jersey to determine the overall impact of the installations upon the State gross domestic product.
The purpose of the analysis is to: provide data-driven insights to deliver a thorough understanding of the economic impacts of proposed operating and capital budgets for all military installations within the State, including direct and indirect impacts at the State and county levels; evaluate the benefits and provide an objective review of potential construction and infrastructure projects, military and civilian employment, and State and local tax generation; and support strategic decision-making to serve as a foundation for evidence-based resource allocation and long-term planning while identifying potential weaknesses and threats.
The Bloustein School is a recognized authority in this field and conducted similar studies in 2010 and 2013. The new study will provide up-to-date information for State policymakers. The insights derived from the analysis will enable informed, strategic, and impactful decisions that foster economic growth and prosperity.
The bill appropriates $155,000 to Rutgers, The State University, to perform the study.
