NJ S3771

Establishes a 13-member Task Force on Higher Education Governance and Funding, including the Secretary of Higher Education, the Executive Director of the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, legislative appointees, and representatives from public universities, state colleges, county colleges, independent institutions, and faculty unions

Requires the task force to examine organizational structures, state oversight entities, funding mechanisms, and their impact on tuition and student outcomes, including a review of state operating aid as a percentage of public institution budgets since fiscal year 2000

Directs analysis of statutory and regulatory requirements imposed on higher education institutions, the effects of abolishing the Department of Higher Education in 1994, workforce alignment, and relationships between county colleges and other institutions

Mandates identification of best practices from New Jersey and other states regarding funding options for operating and capital needs, governance structures, fringe benefits support, and barriers to cost efficiencies through shared services

Appropriates $200,000 from the General Fund to the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education to support the task force, which must hold at least one public hearing and issue a final report within one year of organizing