New Jersey A 2608: Establishes Economic Development Incentive Review Commission.

Bill Text

A2608 

ASSEMBLY, No. 2608 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

� 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman CARMEN THERESA MORALES

District 34 (Essex)

SYNOPSIS

���� Provides funding to nonprofit organizations to 
implement smart technology and artificial intelligence systems to enhance 
security infrastructure.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT 

���� Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative 
Counsel.

�� 

An Act establishing the �New Jersey Equitable Nonprofit 
Security and Innovation Grant Program� and supplementing chapter 9 of Appendix 
A.

���� Be It 
Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of 
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� a.� For the purposes of 
this section:

���� �Artificial intelligence� 
means: (1) any artificial system that performs tasks under varying and 
unpredictable circumstances without significant human oversight, or that can 
learn from experience and improve performance when exposed to data sets; (2) an 
artificial system developed in computer software, physical hardware, or other 
context that solves tasks requiring human-like perception, cognition, planning, 
learning, communication, or physical action; (3) an artificial system designed 
to think or act like a human, including cognitive architectures and neural 
networks; (4) a set of techniques, including machine learning, that is designed 
to approximate a cognitive task; or (5) an artificial system designed to act 
rationally, including an intelligent software agent or embodied robot that 
achieves goals using perception, planning, reasoning, learning, communicating, 
decision making, and acting.

���� �Nonprofit organization� means 
a private nonprofit corporation that has been determined by the Internal 
Revenue Service of the United States Department of the Treasury to be exempt 
from income taxation pursuant to section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal 
Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. s.501(c)(3).

���� �Smart technology� means a 
range of technologies and devices, including but not limited to automation, 
artificial intelligence, wireless and wired communications, sensors, actuators, 
meters, connected and interconnected devices, data sharing, and data analytics, 
that are used in various applications to make communities or an infrastructure more 
efficient, cost-effective, or environmentally sustainable.

���� b.��� There is hereby 
established the �New Jersey Equitable Nonprofit Security and Innovation Grant 
Program� in the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, which shall 
provide grants to nonprofit organizations, including places of worship as 
annually appropriated to:

���� (1)�� implement smart 
technology, including but not limited to motion sensors, smart meters, and 
automated systems designed to operate only when necessary, to optimize 
electrical or power usage to lower operational costs; and

���� (2)�� integrate artificial 
intelligence systems, including but not limited to artificial intelligence 
powered surveillance, systems for detecting threats, and the utilization of 
artificial intelligence-powered control systems that provide real-time 
monitoring and response capabilities, to enhance security infrastructure. 

���� The purpose of the New Jersey 
Equitable Nonprofit Security and Innovation Grant Program is to promote 
innovation, security enhancement, and equity within nonprofit organizations in 
this State while fostering collaboration, community engagement, and continuous 
technological advancement.

���� c.���� The Director of the 
Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness shall administer the New Jersey 
Equitable Nonprofit Security and Innovation Grant Program. There shall annually 
be distributed to approved eligible nonprofit organizations a maximum grant of 
up to $25,000 per approved application for the implementation of smart 
technology and a maximum grant of up to $100,000 per approved application for 
the integration of artificial intelligence systems.� The director may adjust 
these amounts based upon the final availability of funds, analytical trends, 
and emerging need-based priorities. 

���� d.��� A nonprofit organization 
shall apply to the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to receive grants 
under the New Jersey Equitable Nonprofit Security and Innovation Grant Program 
for either the cost of implementing smart technology or integrating artificial 
intelligence systems, or both.� The funds distributed to grant recipients under 
the program shall be utilized solely for implementing smart technology or 
integrating artificial intelligence systems, or both, within this State.� 

���� As part of the application 
process, applicants shall provide a comprehensive needs assessment that 
outlines the agency�s specific security challenges and areas in which they 
intend to implement smart technology to improve operational efficiency.� While 
all nonprofit organizations operating in this State are eligible for the New 
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