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Bedminster officials say federal bill could reimburse local security costs; township pursuing options for volunteer reimbursement
Summary
Mayor Jacobs updated the committee that Congressman Kaine and Senator Booker have backed legislation being reviewed in 2025 that would provide retroactive and prospective reimbursement to municipalities and volunteer agencies for Secret Service‑requested security expenses; township staff will continue to press for funds and pursue state or federal alternatives for volunteer reimbursement.
Mayor Jacobs told the Bedminster Township Committee on June 2 that he and staff have been working with Congressman Kaine’s office and Senator Booker’s office to secure reimbursement for local agencies that provided security at the Secret Service’s request last year.
Jacobs said Kaine initially introduced legislation near the end of 2024 and reintroduced it in 2025; the provision discussed in the meeting would provide funds to local agencies and is written to be retroactive to July 2024. The mayor said the measure was folded into a larger federal bill and remains under review in the Senate.
Jacobs noted that the township’s expenditures were small compared with larger jurisdictions, but that the township pursued inclusion in the federal language to ensure local police, the county prosecutor and volunteer fire and first‑aid squads could be reimbursed. He told the committee the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security has some federal funds and may provide overtime reimbursements going forward, but those state funds would not be retroactive. The township also plans to seek FEMA and Department of Homeland Security guidance on possible reimbursement for volunteers.
The committee did not take formal action on the matter at the meeting. Jacobs said staff will continue to coordinate with Congressman Kaine’s office and state agencies to pursue funds for both paid and volunteer first responders.
Why it matters: If the federal provision remains in final legislation and is enacted, it could deliver retroactive reimbursements for extraordinary security expenses incurred at the Secret Service’s request, and help volunteer agencies recoup costs for equipment and hours spent.
