ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 1856

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MARCH 3, 1997

      The Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1856 (1R).

      Assembly Bill No. 1856 (1R) establishes a body vest replacement program for local law enforcement officers. The program is to operate on a five year cycle, with approximately 20 percent of the State's nearly 25,000 local law enforcement officers scheduled to receive replacement vests each year. Funding for the program is to come from a $1 fee added to all motor vehicle fines imposed and collected by judges. The money is to be deposited in a newly created "Body Armor Replacement Fund" to be used exclusively for providing grants to local law enforcement agencies to purchase the new body vests.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      According to the fiscal note on this bill, the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) stated that of the 3.7 million judgements for motor vehicle offenses occurring yearly, approximately 72% would be adjudicated to generate a surcharge or $2.66 million the first year. In the second year, $3.26 million is estimated to be collected and $3.52 million in the third year. The cost for a vest is estimated at $528. On a five year cycle, 20% of the 25,000 local law enforcement officers would need 5,000 vests, for an approximate cost of $2.64 million.