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New JerseyA5712220th Legislature (2024-2025)HouseWALLET

Establishes Air Traffic Controller Loan Redemption Program; supports partnership between public institution of higher education and federal Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative and establishment of Center for Study of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena; appropriates $3.5 million.*

Sponsored By: Linda S. Carter (Democratic), Craig J. Coughlin (Democratic), Shama A. Haider (Democratic), Raj Mukherji (Democratic), Vincent J. Polistina (Republican)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Controller loan relief comes with service obligations

Effective January 12, 2026, New Jersey creates student-loan help for state residents with an appropriate degree. They must start Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controller employment after that date and work at an approved site. Approved sites include New Jersey airports, airports run by multistate agencies serving New Jersey, and federal facilities serving those airports. Qualifying debt includes federal, state, and private undergraduate or graduate loans, including interest. After each full service year, relief equals 16%, 26%, 28%, and 30% of qualifying debt for years one through four. Annual caps are $16,000, $26,000, $28,000, and $30,000, respectively; total relief cannot exceed $100,000. Selection depends on available funds and requires a written service contract; partial years earn no relief. Participants who end their contract by written notice must repay the full loan amounts redeemed. Death or total and permanent disability cancels service obligations without repayment. The disability must prevent contract service and be expected to last indefinitely or result in death, as determined by HESAA. HESAA can also cancel or suspend obligations for extreme hardship. The law provides $1 million, with no more than 5% for administration, and requires HESAA to adopt program rules.

Public colleges get aviation education grants

Effective January 12, 2026, the law creates aviation grants for selected New Jersey public colleges and universities. It provides $2.5 million for the program and directs total grant awards of $2.5 million annually. Grants support federal drone-training partnerships, a Center for the Study of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, and non-engineering aviation degrees. Those degrees include basic air traffic control and aviation administration courses; grants also encourage federal air traffic controller training partnerships. Applicants must document active or planned participation in these training and degree programs and capacity to support the center. The Secretary of Higher Education selects one or more institutions, with preference for an institution in a first-class county. The Secretary determines allowed uses in consultation with labor and other agencies and must publish the application notice within 120 days. The office must adopt program rules, and the program can accept gifts and other contributions. This money supports college programs rather than direct household payments.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Linda S. Carter

    Democratic • House

  • Craig J. Coughlin

    Democratic • House

  • Shama A. Haider

    Democratic • House

  • Raj Mukherji

    Democratic • Senate

  • Vincent J. Polistina

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Mitchelle Drulis

    Democratic • House

  • Roy Freiman

    Democratic • House

  • Tennille R. McCoy

    Democratic • House

  • Carol A. Murphy

    Democratic • House

  • Ramirez, Jessica

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Shanique Speight

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 174 • No: 8

House vote • 12/22/2025

CONCUR IN SA

Yes: 66 • No: 3 • Other: 2

Senate vote • 12/22/2025

3RDG FINAL PASSAGE

Yes: 37 • No: 0

House vote • 6/30/2025

3RDG FINAL PASSAGE

Yes: 71 • No: 5 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor — P.L.2025, c.269.

    1/12/2026Governor

  2. Passed Assembly, PBH — (66-3-2)

    12/22/2025House

  3. Received in Assembly, 2RAC

    12/22/2025House

  4. Passed Senate — (37-0)

    12/22/2025Senate

  5. Substituted for S4432 (2R)

    12/22/2025Senate

  6. REP/SCA, 2nd Reading in Senate

    12/15/2025Senate

  7. Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee

    11/17/2025Senate

  8. Reported, 2nd Reading in Senate

    11/17/2025Senate

  9. Received in Senate, Referred to Senate Higher Education Committee

    10/20/2025Senate

  10. Passed Assembly — (71-5-2)

    6/30/2025House

  11. REP/ACA, 2nd Reading in Assembly

    6/19/2025House

  12. REP/ACA, Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee

    6/12/2025House

  13. Introduced, 1st Reading in Assembly, Referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee

    5/22/2025House

Bill Text

  • Version PL2025

    4/29/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • Version AL2025

    4/17/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • 12/24/25; 3R

    12/24/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • Senate Budget and Appropriations (12/15/25 3R)

    12/22/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • Senate Budget and Appropriations Substitute (12/15/25 2R)

    12/16/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • Senate Higher Education Substitute (11/17/25 2R)

    11/18/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • 7/1/25; 2R

    7/1/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • Assembly Appropriations (6/19/25 2R)

    7/1/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • 6/23/25; 1R

    6/23/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • Assembly Appropriations Substitute (6/19/25 1R)

    6/19/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • As Introduced

    6/13/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • Assembly Higher Education (6/12/25 1R)

    6/13/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • Assembly Higher Education Substitute (6/12/25)

    6/13/2025

    HTMLPDF

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