SENATE STATE GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
SENATE, No. 360
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: JANUARY 22, 1996
The Senate State Government Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 360.
This bill provides for the set-off against and collection from an individual's State gross income tax refund and homestead property tax rebate of any debt the individual owes to the Violent Crimes Compensation Board (VCCB) for assessments or restitution ordered to be paid by the individual to the board for the compensation of victims of crimes and their families. The use of the Set-Off of Individual Liability (SOIL) program will facilitate the collection of delinquent payments of restitution and assessments against past and present corrections inmates, parolees and probationers that have failed to make scheduled payments ordered at sentencing to provide for the compensation of innocent crime victims.
The Violent Crimes Compensation Board is the State agency where assessments against convicted criminals and other offenders are deposited to pay the compensation claims of victims. There are estimated to be over $150 million in past due payments for court-imposed criminal fines, penalties and assessments which include VCCB assessments and restitution. A State gross income tax refund or homestead property tax rebate claimed by any delinquent will be intercepted and paid to the VCCB. Currently the SOIL program is employed to intercept over $20 million owed to over 36 State agencies by approximately 1.6 million debtors.
This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 1996 session pending technical review. As reported, this bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.