LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE TO

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 208

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: AUGUST 2, 1996

      Senate Bill No.208 (1R) of 1996 establishes a Council on Undocumented Aliens in the Department of Labor. The council would be responsible for: making a study of various aspects of the undocumented alien population in the State, including, but not limited to, the impact of this population on the employment opportunities of persons legally residing in this State; and recommending remedial action or legislation to the department or Legislature, or both, as appropriate, with respect to the findings of the council. The council is to be made up of 14 public members and the Commissioner of Labor, ex officio, or the commissioner's designee, as chair.

      The council is required to submit a report to the commissioner and the Legislature three years from the date of its first meeting. At the end of such time, it will cease to exist unless otherwise determined by enactment of subsequent legislation.

      The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) notes that in response to a similar bill considered during the last session (Senate Bill No. 303 of 1995), the Department of Labor stated that given the difficulty experienced by U.S. Census Bureau and the Immigration and Naturalization Service in surveying and estimating the undocumented alien population, it would be difficult, if not impossible, for the council to undertake a study of this population. Moreover, the department stated that even if the council were to be given resources, the absence of a population base from which samples could be drawn would prohibit the council from reaching conclusions regarding such factors as the growth or decline of this population. Nevertheless, the department concluded that should the bill be enacted, one half of an administrative analyst position would be required to assist the council in fulfilling its responsibilities under the bill. The department estimated the cost of this half-time position to be approximately $34,000 to $37,000 per year during the first three years following enactment of the bill.

      The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) does not concur with the department's cost estimate, since the bill's legislative intent is for the council to avail itself of existing, not additional, State resources. Moreover, the OLS is skeptical that the work of the council over a three year period would consume the attention of one half-time employee, given the department's position regarding the feasibility of the task.

      This legislative fiscal estimate has been produced by the Office of Legislative Services due to the failure of the Executive Branch to respond to our request for a fiscal note.

This fiscal estimate has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67.