This bill amends existing legislation concerning educational research and service corporations in New Jersey, expanding the types of contracts these corporations can enter into on behalf of their members. Specifically, it allows these corporations to act as lead agencies or contracting units for the procurement of a broader range of goods and services, including educational technology systems and related services. Additionally, the bill permits educational research and service corporations to enter into agreements with voting member institutions of higher education for services, consulting, staffing, or goods related to educational technology systems, categorizing these agreements as shared services agreements exempt from public bidding requirements under state law.

The bill also clarifies that educational research and service corporations are considered local units under the "Uniform Shared Services and Consolidation Act," enabling them to procure goods and services on behalf of various local entities, including municipalities and school districts. While the bill maintains that these corporations must adhere to applicable state and local procurement laws, it provides specific exemptions for the newly defined agreements and procurement activities outlined in the legislation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:3B-6.1