ASSEMBLY, No. 1367

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 1996 SESSION

By Assemblyman STUHLTRAGER

An Act concerning the annual compensation of deputy surrogates and deputy county clerks and amending N.J.S.2A:5-16 and N.J.S.40A:9-77.

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. N.J.S.2A:5-16 is amended to read as follows:

    2A:5-16. The surrogate of each county shall select and appoint the deputy surrogate, any special deputy surrogate, executive clerk or chief clerk and engage all other employees, who shall receive such compensation as shall be recommended by the surrogate and approved by the board of chosen freeholders of the county. The annual compensation of the deputy surrogate shall not exceed [3/4] 90% of the annual salary of the surrogate and the annual compensation of any executive clerk or chief clerk in the surrogate's office shall not exceed 3/4 of the annual salary of the surrogate; provided, that nothing herein shall be construed to reduce the salary of any executive clerk or chief clerk holding such position on July 27, 1948. The annual compensation of any special deputy surrogate shall be such sum, over and above his regular salary, not exceeding $1,000.00 as the surrogate shall fix and the board of chosen freeholders approve provided, however, that in counties of the first class such sum over and above his regular salary shall not exceed $2,000.00 when so fixed and approved. The compensation so fixed shall be paid semimonthly by the proper county disbursing officer on warrants approved by the surrogates.

(cf: P.L.1961, c. 100, s.1)

    2. N.J.S.40A:9-77 is amended to read as follows:

    40A:9-77. The annual compensation of the deputy county clerk shall not exceed [3/4] 90% of the annual compensation of the county clerk. The annual compensation of any chief clerk in the office of county clerk shall not exceed 3/5 of the annual compensation of the county clerk. The said compensations and that of all other personnel in the office of the county clerk shall be fixed by the board of chosen freeholders of the county upon the recommendation of the county clerk. The compensation of the personnel in the office of the county clerk shall be paid at the same time and in the same manner as county officers and employees are paid. The limitations of the salaries set herein shall not be construed to restrict any of said employees from participating in or benefiting from any cost of living bonus or longevity program provided for or established in the county.

(cf: N.J.S.40A:9-77)

    3. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    This bill would readjust the maximum annual compensation that a deputy surrogate and a deputy county clerk can receive. Under current law, the annual compensation of a deputy surrogate may not exceed 75% of the annual salary of the surrogate. This bill would allow the deputy surrogate to receive annual compensation not to exceed 90% of the annual compensation of the surrogate. Similarly, current law limits the annual compensation of a deputy county clerk to 75% of the annual compensation of the county clerk. This bill would authorize a deputy county clerk to receive annual compensation not to exceed 90% of the annual compensation of the county clerk.

Authorizes salaries of deputy county clerk and deputy surrogate at 90% of salaries of county clerk and surrogate respectively.