SCR109

A Concurrent Resolution proposing to amend the Article I, paragraph 23 of the New Jersey Constitution.

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):

1. The following proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of New Jersey is agreed to:

PROPOSED AMENDMENT

Amend Article I, paragraph 23 to read as follows:

23. Every employer shall, beginning the January 1 next following the date of the approval of this amendment by the people pursuant to Article IX of the Constitution, pay each employee subject to the "New Jersey State Wage and Hour Law," P.L.1966, c.113 (C.34:11-56a et seq.), or a successor State statute, a wage rate of not less than the rate required by that act, or $8.25 per hour, whichever is more. On the September 30 next following the date of the approval of this amendment, and on September 30 of each subsequent year until 2017 and on each subsequent year after 2023, the State minimum wage rate shall be increased, effective the following January 1, by any increase during the one year prior to that September 30 in the consumer price index for all urban wage earners and clerical workers (CPI-W) as calculated by the federal government. The minimum wage rate shall be whichever rate is higher of the rate set by the "New Jersey State Wage and Hour Law," P.L.1966, c.113 (C.34:11-56a et seq.), or a successor State statute, or the rate of $9.00 per hour as of January 1, 2018, to be increased by $1.00 on January 1 of each year until the rate is set at $15.00 per hour on January 1, 2024. If, at any time, the federal minimum hourly wage rate set by section 6 of the federal "Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938" (29 U.S.C. s.206), or a successor federal law, is raised to a level higher than the State minimum wage rate, then the State minimum wage rate shall be increased to the level of the federal minimum wage rate and all subsequent increases based on increases in the CPI-W pursuant to this paragraph shall be applied to the State minimum wage rate as increased to match the federal minimum wage rate. This paragraph shall not be construed as altering or amending any provision of the "New Jersey State Wage and Hour Law," P.L.1966, c.113 (C.34:11-56a et seq.) or a successor State statute, other than the hourly rate set by that act, or prohibiting the Legislature from amending that act.

(cf: Art. I, par. 23; added effective December 5, 2013)

2. When this proposed amendment to the Constitution is finally agreed to pursuant to Article IX, paragraph 1 of the Constitution, it shall be submitted to the people at the next general election occurring more than three months after the final agreement and shall be published at least once in at least one newspaper of each county designated by the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the General Assembly and the Secretary of State, not less than three months prior to the general election.

3. This proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be submitted to the people at that election in the following manner and form:

There shall be printed on each official ballot to be used at the general election, the following:

a. In every municipality in which voting machines are not used, a legend which shall immediately precede the question as follows:

If you favor the proposition printed below make a cross (X), plus (+), or check (a) in the square opposite the word "Yes." If you are opposed thereto make a cross (X), plus (+) or check (a) in the square opposite the word "No."

b. In every municipality the following question:

		CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO INCREASE THE STATE MINIMUM WAGE
	YES	Do you approve amending the State Constitution to set the State minimum wage rate at $9.00 per hour starting in 2018? The rate will then rise by one dollar each year until it reaches $15.00 in 2024. In 2025 and thereafter, the rate will increase when there is an increase in the cost of living.
		INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT
	NO	This amendment to the State Constitution sets the minimum wage rate at $9.00 per hour in 2018. The rate rises one dollar each year until it is set at $15 per hour in 2024. In 2025 and the years that follow, the rate will increase to reflect increases in the cost of living, as provided by current law.

STATEMENT

This amendment to the State Constitution sets the minimum wage rate at $9.00 per hour starting on January 1, 2018 and raises it one dollar each year until it is set at $15 per hour in 2024. In 2025 and in the years that follow, the rate will be increased when the cost of living increases, as provided by current law. The increases will be based on increases in the consumer price index.