Murphy Signs Order to Change NJ’s Homeland Security and Emergency Response

Executive Order No. 404 redefines the authority and role of the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness to improve coordination, intelligence sharing, and statewide readiness.

NEW JERSEY — Governor Phil Murphy signed Executive Order No. 404 on November 13, formally redefining the structure and authority of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (OHSP) in an attempt to enhance the state’s capacity to respond to threats and emergencies.

Originally established in 2006, the OHSP will now operate under an updated legal framework that more accurately reflects its core responsibilities in counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and emergency preparedness. The executive order aims to streamline the agency’s operational authority while ensuring better alignment with ongoing security and intelligence functions across New Jersey.

“Today’s Executive Order helps to bolster our Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, ensuring the Office is equipped with the information and tools needed to continue protecting our nine-and-a-half million residents from a wide range of potential threats,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “The Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, the New Jersey State Police, and the Office of Emergency Management are each critical to keeping New Jersey safe, and today marks an important step in preventing and mitigating future threats. By clearly outlining the division of responsibilities relating to threat response, we are guaranteeing swift and effective cross-agency collaboration when we need it most."

Clarifying Core Functions

Under the new order, OHSP is designated as the lead state agency for:

• Counterterrorism and counterintelligence coordination

• Cybersecurity oversight

• Emergency preparedness and training

• Dissemination of threat intelligence to state agencies and private partners

The executive order also formally outlines OHSP’s role in emergency management, ensuring clearer delineation of duties among OHSP, the New Jersey State Police, and the Office of Emergency Management. This distinction is intended to prevent overlap and improve interagency coordination during crises.

Leadership and Oversight

The Director of OHSP, who serves as the Governor’s Homeland Security and Preparedness Advisor, will continue to hold a Cabinet-level position and chair the Domestic Security Preparedness Task Force. The Director also holds responsibility for:

• Managing and allocating state and federal security-related funding

• Establishing funding guidelines

• Overseeing the implementation of preparedness programs across sectors

According to the Governor’s Office, the updated executive order was necessary to codify operational practices already in place and to formalize OHSP’s leadership role in statewide threat prevention and emergency response planning.

“This modernization ensures our ability to confront a broader spectrum of threats, from foreign intelligence operations to technological and biological risks, with the same vigilance, leadership, and coordination that have long defined OHSP," said OHSP Director Laurie Doran.

Executive Order No. 404 takes effect immediately and attempts to modernize New Jersey’s homeland security infrastructure in response to evolving threats.