ASSEMBLY STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5148

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  NOVEMBER 15, 2021

      The Assembly State and Local Government Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 5148.

      As amended, this bill would authorize local government units to assess and collect a convenience fee of up to $3 for accepting an electronic payment, and clarifies that local units are also required to provide traditional payment options for those who prefer making payments via non-electronic means.  The Supreme Court of New Jersey recently affirmed an Appellate Division decision ruling that the "Government Electronic Payment Acceptance Act" does not authorize the imposition of a convenience fee for accepting electronic payments, which several counties had been imposing.  This bill would amend that law to authorize such fees in order to offset the administrative expenses borne by local government units in accepting electronic payments. 

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to clarify that local government units which collect payments electronically shall also provide the option to make such payments by non-electronic means such as cash, check, or money order.