A 1732 New Jersey General Assembly · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Appropriates $3 million annually to Freedom Schools in New Jersey using funds collected under Social Equity Excise Fee.

This bill allocates $3 million annually from cannabis tax revenue (Social Equity Excise Fee) to fund Freedom Schools in New Jersey. The funds are directed to the Department of State for direct support of these schools, subject to budget approval. It specifically affects Freedom Schools - public or community-based educational programs - by providing dedicated state funding through an existing tax revenue stream, without altering eligibility or program requirements. The measure takes immediate effect upon enactment.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Feb 19, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Technical Review Of Prefiled Bill Introduced · 2 edits · Jan 13, 2026
MINOR
The bill moved from Assembly Education Committee report status to introduced status pending technical review by Legislative Counsel. A legislative statement section was added at the end explaining that the bill appropriates $3 million annually from the Social Equity Excise Fee on cannabis to the Department of State to support Freedom Schools, which provide academic and character-building programs for K-12 students and their families.
TECHNICAL

Bill status changed from 'As reported by the Assembly Education Committee with technical review' to 'Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel'

SCOPE

A legislative statement was added explaining the bill's purpose: appropriating $3 million annually from the Social Equity Excise Fee (a cannabis tax) to the Department of State to fund Freedom Schools that provide summer academic programs and year-round tutoring for K-12 students and families

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Feb 19, 2026
Committee
Reported and Referred to Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs Committee
lower
Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee
lower
2 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors