LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE TO

SENATE, No. 1971

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JULY 25, 1997

      Senate Bill No. 1971 of 1997 authorizes the Commissioner of Personnel to establish a toll-free telephone number which can be used by persons to obtain information regarding the holding of civil service examinations for positions in State service. The Department of Personnel no longer publishes a monthly bulletin of upcoming examinations for civil service positions, but, instead, now makes this information available only in an electronic format.

      The Office of Legislative Services notes that the cost of implementing this legislation is approximately $40,000. This estimate includes the cost of hiring one additional person (salary and fringe benefits $32,000), and the set-up cost and monthly service charge of establishing a Statewide 800 number.

      The set-up cost is usually $200 to $300 depending on the number of phone lines installed. The monthly service charge of a toll-free telephone number is dependent on the anticipated volume of calls. Under the current Inbound Telecommunications (State) contract for 800 and 900 numbers, the State can opt for a toll-free telephone program with a monthly service charge of $50 plus 5.9 cents per minute or a program with a $20 per month service charge plus 9.5 cents per minute.

      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.