The New Jersey Senate Economic Growth Committee advanced legislation to create a New Jersey Innovation Authority, a proposal the sponsor said is modeled on the Economic Development Authority (EDA) but would focus on improving government services and the delivery of digital tools.

David Cole, New Jersey’s chief innovation officer, testified that the proposal would create an independent board to oversee innovation work and ensure continuity across administrations. Cole said existing appropriations fund the office’s work and that the proposal does not request bonding authority.

Committee members asked for additional detail about costs, staffing and the timing of a transition. Senator Pinacchio and others voiced concern that a new authority could become a permanent bureaucracy with hiring and benefit costs and might gain bonding power in the future. Cole said the administration does not seek new appropriations beyond current funding and that the bill was not intended to duplicate the EDA’s mission.

Why it matters: Supporters said a permanent authority could stabilize cross‑agency digital projects — for example, call‑center platforms and permit modernization — that committee members said currently leave constituents frustrated when systems fail. Critics said the structure and timing warrant scrutiny, including whether an authority should be formed shortly before a transition to a new administration.

Key details: Cole told the committee the governor’s budget contains roughly $5.94 million appropriated to the office (grant‑in‑aid) and a separate $4 million line for permit modernization projects. He said authority staff would be drawn from the existing office and that the proposal does not seek bonding power.

Next steps: Committee members voted to amend and release the bill for further consideration, and Cole agreed to provide additional operational details as requested by senators.