LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE TO

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 1381

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JULY 2, 1996

      Senate Bill No.1381 (1R) of 1996 establishes an additional $5.00 fee for persons taking an open competitive or promotional civil service examination for a position in State service. Persons receiving public assistance benefits pursuant to P.L.1947, c.156 (C.44:8-107 et seq.), P.L.1959, c.86 (C.44:10-1 et seq.), or P.L.1973, c.256 (C.44:7-85 et seq.) are not required to pay this additional fee if they apply for an open competitive examination. Receipts derived from this application fee are appropriated to the Department of Personnel to fund a displaced workers pool program. The displaced worker pool program is to provide temporary work for State employees who have been targeted to be laid off, until such time as a permanent position becomes available. The additional fee is to take effect when the department implements the program. The fee is linked to the program, so if in the future the program is terminated, the additional $5.00 fee will also be terminated.

      The Office of Legislative Services notes that the current $5.00 application fee was established by P.L.1992, c.197. This fee is paid by persons applying for an open competitive or promotional examination for a position in State or local government. Since the fee was established, the department has received, on average, $613,000 annually in application fees. It is estimated that the additional $5.00 fee for persons taking open competitive or promotional civil service examinations for positions in State government will generate approximately $208,000 annually.

      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.