NJ A5728

Establishes the New Jersey Innovation Authority as a public body within the Department of the Treasury to serve as the State's primary authority on technology innovation and provide centralized implementation services to modernize government services

Authority will be governed by 13 members: 4 ex officio members (Chief Technology Officer, CEO of Economic Development Authority, State Treasurer, and Chief Counsel to the Governor) plus 9 public members appointed by the Governor (5 directly, 2 recommended by Assembly Speaker, 2 recommended by Senate President)

Creates a Chief Innovation Officer position to direct day-to-day operations, initially appointed by the Governor with subsequent appointments by the Authority; the officer can hire staff without Civil Service restrictions and reports directly to the Governor

Authority may accept private foundation funds, enter contracts with public and private entities, provide grants, charge fees for services, and make purchases without public bidding in certain circumstances including professional services and innovative proposals

Allows transfer of unencumbered funds previously appropriated for Permit Modernization and the National Center for Civic Innovation to the new Authority, and permits direct funding to designated nonprofits without standard procurement requirements