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New JerseyA5728220th Legislature (2024-2025)HouseWALLET

Establishes New Jersey Innovation Authority.

Sponsored By: Angela V. McKnight (Democratic), William F. Moen Jr. (Democratic), Eliana Pintor Marin (Democratic), Chris Tully (Democratic), Andrew Zwicker (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Innovation projects gain funding and grant options

Beginning January 5, 2026, the Authority can give grants and other financial help for innovation work. It can seek public and private contributions; private foundation support for operations must follow the State's Uniform Ethics Code. Unused, uncommitted funds appropriated under the 2024 law for Permit Modernization or the National Center for Civic Innovation can fund operations. Transfers require approval from the Chief Innovation Officer and Treasury's Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting. The law sets no funding amounts, grant amounts, or grant eligibility rules.

New Jersey creates government technology authority

Beginning January 5, 2026, the law creates the New Jersey Innovation Authority within the Treasury Department. It leads State technology innovation, helps modernize government services, gathers resident input, and measures progress. Its 13-member board includes four State officials and nine public members, whose regular terms last five years. A Chief Innovation Officer runs daily operations. The Authority must follow State ethics and rulemaking requirements, report annually by March 31, and obtain independent financial audits. The law sets no direct household benefit amount.

Authority can charge technology service users

Beginning January 5, 2026, the Authority can charge for platforms, services, and products it develops. It can also impose reasonable fees for its activities, including administrative, operating, and legal expenses. People and organizations using these services can face charges. The law sets no fee amounts and does not identify which household users pay.

Some Authority staff gain ethics exception

Beginning January 5, 2026, covered Authority officers, board members, and employees gain an exception to a one-year ethics restriction. They can handle official matters involving their most recent former employer when that employer meets specific requirements. The employer must be an independent, nonpartisan nonprofit funded by State appropriations in each of the three preceding State fiscal years. Those funds must support government-service advice and implementation work done in consultation with the Chief Innovation Officer. Other State ethics requirements still apply.

Authority contracts require bids with exceptions

Beginning January 5, 2026, the Authority generally must advertise contracts for public bids, giving vendors a chance to compete. Exceptions cover small purchases, emergencies, expert services, and innovative ideas that a bid request cannot describe without revealing protected ideas. Contracts cannot be split to avoid bidding; required certifications must be kept, and lower thresholds in other State laws apply. After no responsive bids, the Authority can negotiate an award consistent with the bid specifications. It can also directly fund a designated nonprofit for Authority work, with exemptions from specified grant and procurement laws.

Authority staff work outside civil service

Beginning January 5, 2026, the Chief Innovation Officer can hire Authority staff outside New Jersey's civil service law. The officer sets staff qualifications, job terms, duties, and pay. This gives the Authority hiring flexibility but places these jobs outside the usual civil service framework. The law sets no pay amounts or changes for other public employees.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Angela V. McKnight

    Democratic • Senate

  • William F. Moen Jr.

    Democratic • House

  • Eliana Pintor Marin

    Democratic • House

  • Chris Tully

    Democratic • House

  • Andrew Zwicker

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Carol A. Murphy

    Democratic • House

  • Britnee N. Timberlake

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 90 • No: 21

Senate vote • 12/22/2025

3RDG FINAL PASSAGE

Yes: 29 • No: 8

House vote • 12/8/2025

3RDG FINAL PASSAGE

Yes: 61 • No: 13 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor — P.L.2025, c.190.

    1/5/2026Governor

  2. Passed Senate, PBH — (29-8)

    12/22/2025Senate

  3. Substituted for S4485 (2R)

    12/22/2025Senate

  4. Reported, 2nd Reading in Senate

    12/15/2025Senate

  5. Received in Senate, Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee

    12/11/2025Senate

  6. Passed Assembly — (61-13-2)

    12/8/2025House

  7. Reported, 2nd Reading in Assembly

    6/26/2025House

  8. TRANS Assembly Budget Committee

    6/26/2025House

  9. REP/ACA, Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee

    6/16/2025House

  10. Introduced, 1st Reading in Assembly, Referred to Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee

    5/22/2025House

Bill Text

  • Version PL2025

    3/5/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • Version AL2025

    1/29/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology (6/16/25 1R)

    12/23/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • Senate Budget and Appropriations Substitute (12/15/25 1R)

    12/16/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • Assembly Budget Substitute (6/26/25 1R)

    6/27/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • 6/24/25; 1R

    6/24/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Substitute (6/16/25)

    6/17/2025

    HTMLPDF

  • As Introduced

    5/23/2025

    HTMLPDF

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