NJ S3788

Establishes a 13-member Task Force on Higher Education Governance and Funding to examine New Jersey's higher education system, including its organization, governance, and funding mechanisms.

Task force membership includes the Secretary of Higher Education, Higher Education Student Assistance Authority Executive Director, appointees from the Senate President and Assembly Speaker, and seven Governor appointees representing public universities, state colleges, county colleges, independent institutions, and faculty unions.

Requires the task force to analyze State funding mechanisms, regulatory requirements, institutional governance structures, workforce alignment, and the impact of changes since the 1994 abolishment of the Department of Higher Education.

Task force must organize within 60 days, hold at least one public hearing within six months, and submit a final report with recommendations within one year.

Appropriates $200,000 from the General Fund to the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education for task force operations, including hiring external consultants.