Committee releases air‑traffic controller loan‑redemption program with $3.5 million appropriation

The Assembly Higher Education Committee amended and released Assembly Bill 5712, which establishes an air‑traffic controller loan redemption program in the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority and a grants program in the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, and appropriates $3,500,000.

Committee amendments require eligible air‑traffic controllers to commence employment with the Federal Aviation Administration following the effective date of the bill to qualify for loan redemption, require applicants to submit an application within one year of initial hire at an approved site, direct HESAA to promulgate rules and regulations for the program, and limit administrative expenditures to no more than 5% of the amount appropriated to operate the program. The committee also made a technical title change.

Witness slips filed support from multiple industry and academic groups, including the New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities, the South Jersey Chamber of Commerce, NJBIA, Rutgers University, Thomas Edison University and labor organizations; several indicated no need to testify orally.

Committee members asked no substantive questions during the hearing and voted to amend and release the bill. Recorded votes were: Assemblywoman Matsakis — yes; Assemblyman Charfenberger — yes; Assemblyman Abdelaziz — yes; Assemblywoman Simmons — yes; Assemblyman Miller — yes; Assemblyman Atkins — left a vote in the affirmative; Chairwoman Carter — yes. The committee chair announced the bill was released.