Sponsored by:
Assemblyman CHRIS TULLY
District 38 (Bergen)
Assemblywoman LINDA S. CARTER
District 22 (Somerset and Union)
Assemblywoman HEATHER SIMMONS
District 3 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblyman Stanley
SYNOPSIS
Codifies Eagleton Science and Politics Fellowship Program at Eagleton Institute of Politics; makes appropriation.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act codifying the Eagleton Science and Politics Fellowship Program, supplementing Title 52 of the Revised Statutes, and making an appropriation.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. There is established the Eagleton Science and Politics Fellowship Program at the Eagleton Institute of Politics of Rutgers University. Scientists, engineers, and health care professionals with a PhD or equivalent doctoral professional degree in natural sciences, engineering, or healthcare shall be selected to participate in the program as fellows.
b. The State shall appropriate funds in each fiscal year to the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers, the State University to finance the stipends and benefits provided to six fellows pursuant to subsection c. of this section, and for the cost of administering the Science and Politics Fellowship Program.
c. Six fellows shall be selected each year and shall be assigned to work with the New Jersey Legislature and the Executive Branch. The fellows shall be referred to as the John Weingart Science Fellows.
Three fellows shall be assigned to work with the Legislature, with each fellow placed in either the Office of Legislative Services, the Senate Majority Office, the Senate Minority Office, the General Assembly Majority Office, or the General Assembly Minority Office. Three fellows shall be assigned to work in the Executive Branch. Placement shall be determined by the Director of the Science and Politics Fellowship Program, appointed pursuant to subsection d. of this section, in consultation with interested State offices.
Each fellow shall receive a stipend during the period of fellowship, as well as health, dental, and vision benefits for the term of their fellowship. Each fellow shall participate for a period of one year on a full time basis.
d. The Director of the Eagleton Institute of Politics of Rutgers, the State University shall appoint the director of the Science and Politics Fellowship Program, who shall administer the program and recruit and select the fellows.
2. Notwithstanding any other
funds allocated, there is appropriated from the State General Fund to the
Eagleton Institute of Politics of Rutgers, the State University for the Science
and Politics Fellowship Program the sum of $338,000 for the stipends and the
administrative costs of the program, implementing the provisions of this act, P.L.
, c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill).
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill codifies the Eagleton Science and Politics Fellowship Program at the Eagleton Institute of Politics of Rutgers, the State University. The program will be funded by the State, and the fellows will be referred to as the John Weingart Science Fellows. John Weingart is a former Associate Director of the Eagleton Institute of Politics and a founder of the fellowship program.
The program has been in successful operation for several years, and was launched to bring certain expertise to New Jersey State legislative and executive offices. The fellows are scientists, engineers, and health care professionals with a PhD or equivalent doctoral professional degree in natural sciences, engineering, or healthcare. The fellows serve for a period of one year on a fulltime basis and receive a stipend of $60,000 and other benefits.
The program helps to bridge the gap between science and politics. The fellows bring their advanced knowledge and technical skills to State government, develop an understanding of State government, and learn how to build careers in public service. Their advanced knowledge and technical skills help support New Jersey State government officials in making evidence-based decisions in public policy areas involving science, engineering, and healthcare.
Six fellows will be selected each year and assigned to work with the New Jersey Legislature and the Executive Branch. The director of the fellowship program will determine placement, as well as recruit and select the fellows.
The FY 2024 Annual Appropriations Act already appropriates $320,000 for the current program. This bill appropriates an additional $338,000 for the stipends and the administrative costs of the program.