SENATE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2106

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  OCTOBER 22, 2018

      The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2106.

      This bill requires the Adjutant General to identify each New Jersey resident who enrolls in the United States Military Academy, United States Naval Academy, United States Coast Guard Academy, United States Merchant Marine Academy, or United States Air Force Academy, and issue a New Jersey State flag to that individual.

      This bill honors each resident of New Jersey who enrolls in a federal service academy for that individual’s commitment to the defense of New Jersey and the United States of America. These distinguished New Jersey residents have dedicated themselves to a life of military service, and have each demonstrated superior academic ability and integrity.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      The department provided informal fiscal information estimating that under the bill the department would issue 70 flags per year at a cost of $105 per flag.

      Each United States Congressman may have one nominee accepted for each academy each year.  New Jersey has 12 members in the House of Representatives and 2 Senators for a total of 14 Congressmen and there are 5 academies: the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York; the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland; the United Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the United States Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut; and the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York. 

      Flag costs include: $65 to purchase each flag; $25 in processing fees per flag; and $15 in shipping costs per flag.