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Committee moves forward on bill to modernize county college contracts law
Summary
A5502, which updates the county college contracts law to align procurement with state college rules and permit bidder disqualification for prior negative experience, was released unanimously after testimony from Rita Heitkamp describing longstanding procurement disadvantages for community colleges.
The Assembly Higher Education Committee unanimously released Assembly Bill 5502 on Friday after a supporter described the measure as a needed modernization of the county college contracts law.
Rita Heitkamp, identified in committee as the New Jersey Community College chief innovation and policy officer, testified that the county college contracts law—codified in 1983—has not been substantially updated in nearly four decades and leaves community colleges at a disadvantage compared with other public institutions. She told the committee the bill would align county college procurement rules with recent updates to state college procurement law and allow contracting to be more efficient and cost-effective for county institutions.
Heitkamp said the change is a long-standing priority of community-college business officers and asked the committee for support. With no committee amendments on the floor and no substantive questions from members, the committee voted by roll call. Assemblywoman Simmons, drawing on more than 30 years in higher education, thanked colleagues for considering the bill and recorded her vote in favor.
Why it matters: Committee supporters said A5502 would modernize procurement authority for county colleges and could improve their ability to procure goods and services more efficiently; the bill was released to the next legislative step with a unanimous committee vote.
