This bill establishes the Eagleton Science and Politics Fellowship Program at the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University, codifying its operations and funding. The program is designed to select six fellows each year, referred to as the John Weingart Science Fellows, who are scientists, engineers, and healthcare professionals with a PhD or equivalent degree. These fellows will work full-time for one year within the New Jersey Legislature and the Executive Branch, receiving a stipend of $60,000 along with health, dental, and vision benefits. The director of the fellowship program, appointed by the Eagleton Institute, will oversee the administration, recruitment, and placement of the fellows.

To support this initiative, the bill appropriates $338,000 from the State General Fund to cover stipends and administrative costs associated with the fellowship program. This funding is in addition to the $320,000 already allocated in the FY 2024 Annual Appropriations Act. The program aims to enhance the integration of scientific expertise into state governance, enabling officials to make informed, evidence-based decisions in areas related to science, engineering, and healthcare.