SENATE, No. 1403

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED JULY 25, 1996

By Senators EWING and SCOTT

An Act concerning public institutions of higher education, supplementing chapter 62 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes and repealing P.L.1995, c.63.

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

    1. The governing body of a public institution of higher education shall not allow a negative check-off fee for the support of any organization to be assessed on student tuition bills.

    As used in this section, "negative check-off fee" means a separately-listed fee which is automatically included in the total amount due but which the payor is permitted to decline to pay by so indicating on the bill.

    2. P.L.1995, c.63 (C.18A:62-22) is repealed.

    3. This act shall take effect immediately and shall first apply to tuition bills for the 1996-97 school year.

STATEMENT

    This bill would prohibit the governing body of a public institution of higher education from allowing a negative check-off fee for the support of any organization to be assessed on student tuition bills. A "negative check-off fee" is defined as a separately-listed fee which is automatically included in the total amount due but which the payor is permitted to decline to pay by so indicating on the bill. A negative check-off fee causes confusion because it is not obvious to the payor that the fee is waivable. The bill repeals P.L.1995, c.63 (C.18A:62-22) which prohibits public institutions of higher education from allowing funds for legislative agents or organizations which attempt to influence legislation from being assessed on student tuition bills by means of a negative check-off.

Prohibits negative check-off fee for support of any organization to be assessed on student tuition bills at public institution of higher education.