Governor Murphy’s SFY2025 detailed budget recommendations for the Department of Law and Public Safety (DLPS) total $759.2 million, which is an increase of $3.4 million for the expansion for the Arrive Together Pilot Program, creation of a new class of State Police recruits, and coverage of staffing and non-salary expenses. For more on the Governor’s overall budget proposal, please see our SFY2025 Budget writeup.
Below is a review of DLPS’s budget and its impact on local governments.
Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness: For SFY-2025 the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (OHSP) is recommended to receive $31.7 million, an increase of 7.09% or $2.1 million over the SFY2024 budget. The additional funds are to be allocated to enhance cybersecurity initiatives and hire more staff to perform security assessments at sites that are vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control: The Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s (ABC) recommended allocation for SFY2025 remains level of $61.45 million from SFY2024. In SFY2024 there were 15,000 permits, 9,400 retail licenses, and 1,500 state licenses issued throughout the state. The ABC is responsible for the implementation of and regulation of the Alcoholic Beverage Industry throughout the state. Juvenile Justice Commission: The Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC) is budgeted to receive an allocation of $138.9 million, a $3 million increase, representing an increase of 2.21% from the SFY2024 budget allocation of $135.9 million. The JJC operates as the central authority within the state government for juvenile justice, overseeing the planning, policy-making, and service provision by offering residential community homes, community-based parole, and transitional services for juveniles.
State Ethics Commission: SFY2025 budget funding recommendations for the State Ethics Commission (SEC) total $1.4 million, an increase of $200,000 over the SFY2024 allocation of $1.2 million to hire more staff and meet non-salary requirements of the SEC. The SEC is responsible for overseeing and enforcing the NJ Conflicts of Interest Law, the Uniform Ethics Code, and the Casino Control Act. The SEC is also responsible for creating and implementing ethics training and reporting requirements, conducting investigations, and providing ethics opinions.
Election Law Enforcement Commission: The Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) recommended allocation for SFY2025 is $36.3 million, a 415.25% increase from SFY2024’s allocation of $5.9 million. The increase can be attributed to improving the Gubernatorial Elections Fund and implementing IT upgrades as required by Daniel’s Law.
ELEC is responsible for ensuring transparency in political financing by overseeing reporting contributions and expenditures by all candidates, political parties, and political committees on a quarterly reporting basis. This also includes lobbyists and pay-to-play disclosures.
State Police: The New Jersey State Police are set to receive an allocation of $431 million for SFY2025, compared to SFY2024’s allocation of $410 million. The increase of funding is attributed to a revenue shift to support State Police salaries. The State Police enforces law across the state including rural areas and encompasses highway patrol.
Department Objective: The Department of Law and Public Safety (DLPS) is guided by the Attorney General, overseeing law enforcement and criminal justice, legal representation, and the regulation of casinos and horse racing. The DLPS has serval divisions, including the Division of Criminal Justice, responsible for the detection and prosecution of criminal activities, providing oversight to county prosecutor offices and local law enforcement. Consumer protection is managed by the Division of Consumer Affairs, which also regulates various market activities and oversees professional licensing. The Division on Civil Rights enforces anti-discrimination laws and ensures the civil rights of the State’s residents are protected.
These figures are based on the Governor’s proposal and may change based on public testimony, changes by the Legislature, and discussions with the Administration before its enactment by the end of June. The League will provide further updates as the budget process continues.