Bill Text: NJ A1623 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Allows jurors to designate donation of their jury duty fees to various charitable funds.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-10 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee [A1623 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-A1623-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
215th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2012 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman JON M. BRAMNICK
District 21 (Morris, Somerset and Union)
Assemblywoman MARY PAT ANGELINI
District 11 (Monmouth)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblyman Coughlin
SYNOPSIS
Allows jurors to designate donation of their jury duty fees to various charitable funds.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
An Act concerning the donation of certain juror fees, amending various parts of the statutory law and supplementing Title 22A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. (New section) Every person serving as a juror in New Jersey courts, whether as a grand or petit juror, shall have the opportunity to indicate to the Assignment Judge of the vicinage that all or any portion of the juror fees owed to that person be deposited in any of the funds listed in subsection c. of this section.
b. The Administrative Office of the Courts shall deduct any costs incurred for collection and administration and forward the moneys designated for the funds by persons serving as jurors to the Department of the Treasury for deposit into the funds.
c. The funds eligible to receive donations of juror fees pursuant to this section are:
(1) The "Endangered and Nongame Species of Wildlife Conservation Fund" established by section 1 of P.L.1981, c.170 (C.54A:9-25.2),
(2) The "Children's Trust Fund" established by section 2 of P.L.1985, c.197 (C.54A:9-25.4),
(3) The "Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Fund" established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1985, c.494 (C.52:18A-208),
(4) The "New Jersey Breast Cancer Research Fund" established by section 1 of P.L.1995, c.26 (C.54A:9-25.7),
(5) The "U.S.S. New Jersey Educational Museum Fund" established by section 2 of P.L.1995, c.299 (C.54A:9-25.10),
(6) The "Drug Abuse Education Fund" established by section 1 of P.L.1999, c.12 (C.54A:9-25.12),
(7) The "Korean Veterans' Memorial Fund" established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1996, c.72 (C.52:18A-218),
(8) The "Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Education Fund" established pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1999, c.386 (C.54A:9-25.17),
(9) The "NJ-AIDS Services Fund" established pursuant to section 1 of 2001, c.217 (C.54A:9-25.19),
(10) The "Literacy Volunteers of America - New Jersey Fund" established pursuant to section 1 of 2001, c.273 (C.54A:9-25.20),
(11) The "New Jersey Prostate Cancer Research Fund" established pursuant to section 1 of P.L. 2001, c.305 (C.54A:9-25.1),
(12) The "New Jersey World Trade Center Scholarship Fund" established pursuant to section 3 of P.L.2001, c.442 (C.18A:71B-23.3),
(13) The "New Jersey Veterans Haven Support Fund" established by section 1 of P.L.2007, c.233 (C.54A:9-25.24),
(14) The "Community Food Pantry Fund" established by section 1 of P.L.2009, c.124 (C.54A:9-25.25),
(15) The "Cat and Dog Spay/Neuter Fund" established by section 2 of P.L. 2009, c.124 (C.54A:9-25.26),
(16) The "New Jersey Lung Cancer Research Fund" established by section 1 of P.L.2009, c.172 (C.54A:9-25.27), and
(17) Any other fund added by the Administrative Office of the Courts pursuant to section 2 of this amendatory and supplementary act.
2. (New section) The Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts shall consult with the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury on or before January 1 of each year to determine whether, after the effective date of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the Division has added new charitable funds to the list set out in the New Jersey gross income tax return. If new funds have been added by the Division, the Administrative Office of the Courts shall add those same funds to the list of funds eligible to receive donations of juror fees pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
3. Section 1 of P.L.1981, c.170 (C.54A:9-25.2) is amended to read as follows:
1. There is hereby established in the Department of the Treasury a special fund to be known as the "Endangered and Nongame Species of Wildlife Conservation Fund." Each taxpayer shall have the opportunity to indicate on the taxpayer's New Jersey gross income tax return that a portion of the taxpayer's tax refund or an enclosed contribution be deposited in such fund. The Director of the Division of Taxation shall provide the taxpayer with the opportunity to indicate his preference on the tax return in substantially the following way:
Endangered and Nongame Species of Wildlife Conservation Fund: I wish to contribute $10 , $20 , other amount $...... , to this fund. The State Treasurer shall deposit into the fund all moneys designated for the fund pursuant to [this supplementary act] P.L.1981, c.170 (C.54A:9-25.2 et seq.) and all moneys designated for the fund by jurors pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
(cf: P.L.1998, c.153, s.1)
4. Section 2 of P.L.1985, c.197 (C.54A:9-25.4) is amended to read as follows:
2. a. There is established in the Department of the Treasury a special fund to be known as the "Children's Trust Fund."
b. Each taxpayer shall have the opportunity to indicate on the taxpayer's New Jersey gross income tax return that a portion of the taxpayer's tax refund or an enclosed contribution be deposited in the special fund. The Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury shall provide each taxpayer with the opportunity to indicate his preference on the tax return in substantially the following manner:
Children's Trust Fund: I wish to contribute $10 , $20 , other amount $...... , to this fund.
The State Treasurer shall deposit into the fund all moneys designated for the fund pursuant to [this act] P.L.1985, c.197 (C.9:6A-1 et al.) and all moneys designated for the fund by jurors pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
(cf: P.L.1998, c.153, s.2)
5. Section 4 of P.L.1985, c.494 (C.52:18A-208) is amended to read as follows:
4. There is created in the Department of the Treasury, a fund to be known as the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Fund. The fund shall be credited with any moneys received by the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Committee as donations under section 3 of [this act] P.L.1985, c.494, any moneys designated for the fund by jurors pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), and any moneys as may thereafter be donated by members of the public or appropriated to the fund by law. All interest on moneys in the fund shall be credited to the fund. The moneys in the fund shall be administered by the State Treasurer, to be held thereby in the fund until appropriated by law. Not later than six months after the effective date of this act, and periodically thereafter, the State Treasurer shall certify to the Legislature the total amount of moneys in the fund.
(cf: P.L.1985, c.494, s. 4)
6. Section 1 of P.L.1995, c.26 (C.54A:9-25.7) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. There is established in the Department of the Treasury a special fund to be known as the "New Jersey Breast Cancer Research Fund."
b. Each taxpayer shall have the opportunity to indicate on the taxpayer's New Jersey gross income tax return that a portion of the taxpayer's tax refund or an enclosed contribution be deposited in the special fund. The Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury shall provide each taxpayer with the opportunity to indicate the taxpayer's preference on the tax return in substantially the following way:
New Jersey Breast Cancer Research Fund: I wish to contribute $10, $20, other amount $....... to this fund.
Any costs incurred by the Division of Taxation for collection or administration attributable to [this act] P.L.1995, c.26 (C.54A:9-25.7 et al.) may be deducted from receipts collected pursuant to [this act] P.L.1995, c.26 (C.54A:9-25.7 et al.), as determined by the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting.
The State Treasurer shall deposit net contributions collected pursuant to [this act] P.L.1995, c.26 (C.54A:9-25.7 et al.) and all moneys designated for the fund by jurors pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) into the New Jersey Breast Cancer Research Fund.
(cf: P.L.1998, c.153, s.4)
7. Section 2 of P.L.1995, c.299 (C.54A:9-25.10) is amended to read as follows:
2. There is established in the Department of the Treasury a special fund to be known as the U.S.S. New Jersey Educational Museum Fund. The State Treasurer shall deposit into the fund net contributions collected pursuant to [this act] P.L.1995, c.299 (C.54A:9-25.9 et seq.) and all moneys designated for the fund by jurors pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill). All moneys deposited in the U.S.S. New Jersey Educational Museum Fund shall be annually appropriated to the Home Port Alliance to support the maintenance and operation of the U.S.S. New Jersey as a memorial and museum.
(cf: P.L.2007, c.262, s.4)
8. Section 1 of P.L.1999, c.12 (C.54A:9-25.12) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. There is established in the Department of the Treasury a special fund to be known as the "Drug Abuse Education Fund."
b. Each taxpayer shall have the opportunity to indicate on the taxpayer's New Jersey gross income tax return that a portion of the taxpayer's tax refund or an enclosed contribution shall be deposited in the special fund.
Any costs incurred by the Division of Taxation for collection or administration attributable to this act may be deducted from receipts collected pursuant to this act, as determined by the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting. The State Treasurer shall deposit net contributions collected pursuant to [this act] P.L.1999, c.12 (C.54A:9-25.12 et seq.) and all moneys designated for the fund by jurors pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) into the "Drug Abuse Education Fund."
(cf: P.L.1999, c.12, s.1)
9. Section 4 of P.L.1996, c.72 (C.52:18A-218) is amended to read as follows:
4. There is created in the Department of the Treasury, a fund to be known as the Korean Veterans' Memorial Fund. The fund shall be credited with any moneys received by the Korean Veterans' Memorial Committee as donations under section 3 of [this act] P.L.1996, c.72, any moneys that may thereafter be donated by members of the public, the money appropriated to the fund under section 6 of [this act] P.L.1996, c.72, any moneys designated for the fund by jurors pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), and any other moneys appropriated to the fund by law. All interest on moneys in the fund shall be credited to the fund. The moneys in the fund shall be administered by the State Treasurer, to be held thereby in the fund until appropriated by law. Not later than six months after the effective date of this act, and periodically thereafter, the State Treasurer shall certify to the Legislature the total amount of moneys in the fund.
(cf: P.L.1996, c.72, s.4)
10. Section 1 of P.L.1999, c.386 (C.54A:9-25.17) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. There is established in the Department of the Treasury a special fund to be known as the "Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Education Fund."
b. Each taxpayer shall have the opportunity to indicate on the taxpayer's New Jersey gross income tax return that a portion of the taxpayer's tax refund or an enclosed contribution shall be deposited in the special fund.
c. Any costs incurred by the Division of Taxation for collection or administration attributable to [this act] P.L.1999, c.386 (C.54A:9-25.17 et seq.) may be deducted from receipts collected pursuant to [this act] P.L.1999, c.386 (C.54A:9-25.17 et seq.), as determined by the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting. The State Treasurer shall deposit net contributions collected pursuant to [this act] P.L.1999, c.386 (C.54A:9-25.17 et seq.) and all moneys designated for the fund by jurors pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) into the "Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Education Fund."
d. Revenues derived from the issuance of special "Be An Organ Donor" license plates, pursuant to P.L.2001, c.164 (C.39:3-27.127 et al.), shall be deposited in the fund and shall be allocated as provided in subsection c. of section 1 of P.L.2001, c.164 (C.39:3-27.127).
(cf: P.L.2001, c.164, s.5)
11. Section 1 of P.L.2001, c.217 (C.54A:9-25.19) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. There is established in the Department of the Treasury a special fund to be known as the "NJ-AIDS Services Fund."
b. Each taxpayer shall have the opportunity to indicate on the taxpayer's New Jersey gross income tax return that a portion of the taxpayer's tax refund or an enclosed contribution be deposited in the special fund.
c. Any costs incurred by the Division of Taxation for collection or administration attributable to this section may be deducted from the receipts collected pursuant to this section, as determined by the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting in the Department of the Treasury. The State Treasurer shall deposit into the "NJ-AIDS Services Fund" net contributions collected pursuant to [this section] P.L.2001, c.217 (C.54A:9-25.19) and all moneys designated for the fund by jurors pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) for distribution to the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services, for grants to agencies within the State assisting and supporting individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
d. The Legislature shall annually appropriate all funds deposited in the "NJ-AIDS Services Fund" to the Department of Health and Senior Services and the Department of the Treasury in accordance with the purposes and provisions of this act.
(cf: P.L.2001, c.217)
12. Section 1 of P.L.2001, c.273 (C.54A:9-25.20) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. There is established in the Department of the Treasury a special fund to be known as the "Literacy Volunteers of America - New Jersey Fund."
b. Each taxpayer shall have the opportunity to indicate on the taxpayer's New Jersey gross income tax return that a portion of the taxpayer's tax refund or an enclosed contribution shall be deposited in the special fund.
c. Any costs incurred by the Division of Taxation for collection or administration attributable to [this act] P.L.2001, c.273 (C.54A:9-25.20) may be deducted from receipts collected pursuant to [this act] P.L.2001, c.273 (C.54A:9-25.20), as determined by the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting. The State Treasurer shall deposit net contributions collected pursuant to [this act] P.L.2001, c.273 (C.54A:9-25.20) and all moneys designated for the fund by jurors pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) into the "Literacy Volunteers of America - New Jersey Fund."
d. The Legislature shall annually appropriate all funds deposited in the "Literacy Volunteers of America - New Jersey Fund" established pursuant to this section to the Literacy Volunteers of America - New Jersey, Inc., for the purposes of literacy training, technical assistance, and program development.
(cf: P.L.2001, c.273)
13. Section 1 of P.L.2001, c.305 (C.54A:9-25.21) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. There is established in the Department of the Treasury a special fund to be known as the "New Jersey Prostate Cancer Research Fund."
b. Each taxpayer shall have the opportunity to indicate on the taxpayer's New Jersey gross income tax return that a portion of the taxpayer's tax refund or an enclosed contribution shall be deposited in the special fund.
c. Any costs incurred by the Division of Taxation for collection or administration attributable to [this act] P.L.2001, c.305 (C.54A:9-25.21 et al.) may be deducted from receipts collected pursuant to [this act] P.L.2001, c.305 (C.54A:9-25.21 et al.), as determined by the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting. The State Treasurer shall deposit net contributions collected pursuant to [this act] P.L.2001, c.305 (C.54A:9-25.21 et al.) and all moneys designated for the fund by jurors pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) into the "New Jersey Prostate Cancer Research Fund."
(cf: P.L.2001, c.305, s.1)
14. Section 1 of P.L.2005, c.298 (C.54A:9-25.23) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. Each taxpayer shall have the opportunity to indicate on the taxpayer's New Jersey gross income tax return that a portion of the taxpayer's tax refund or an enclosed contribution shall be deposited in the New Jersey World Trade Center Scholarship Fund established pursuant to section 3 of P.L.2001, c.442 (C.18A:71B-23.3).
b. Any costs incurred by the Division of Taxation for collection or administration attributable to [this act] P.L.2005, c.298 (C.54A:9-25.23) may be deducted from receipts collected pursuant to [this act] P.L.2005, c.298 (C.54A:9-25.23), as determined by the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting. The State Treasurer shall deposit net contributions collected pursuant to [this act] P.L.2005, c.298 (C.54A:9-25.23) and all moneys designated for the fund by jurors pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) into the New Jersey World Trade Center Scholarship Fund.
c. The Legislature shall annually appropriate all funds deposited in the New Jersey World Trade Center Scholarship Fund to the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority for the New Jersey World Trade Center Scholarship Board for the purposes of providing support to scholarship recipients for higher education.
(cf: P.L.2005, c.298, s.1)
15. Section 1 of P.L.2007, c.233 (C.54A:9-25.24) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. There is established in the Department of the Treasury a special fund to be known as the "New Jersey Veterans Haven Support Fund."
b. Each taxpayer shall have the opportunity to indicate on the taxpayer's New Jersey gross income tax return that a portion of the taxpayer's tax refund or an enclosed contribution shall be deposited in the special fund.
c. Any costs incurred by the Division of Taxation for collection or administration attributable to [this act] P.L.2007, c.233 (C.54A:9-25.24) may be deducted from receipts collected pursuant to [this act] P.L.2007, c.233 (C.54A:9-25.24), as determined by the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting in the Department of the Treasury. The State Treasurer shall deposit net contributions collected pursuant to this section and all moneys designated for the fund by jurors pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) to the "New Jersey Veterans Haven Support Fund."
d. The Legislature shall annually appropriate all funds deposited in the "New Jersey Veterans Haven Support Fund" to the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to support the vocational and transitional housing program at the New Jersey Veterans Haven facility.
(cf: P.L.2007, c.233, s.1)
16. Section 1 of P.L.2009, c.124 (C.54A:9-25.25) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. There is established in the Department of the Treasury a special fund to be known as the "Community Food Pantry Fund."
b. Each taxpayer shall have the opportunity to indicate on the taxpayer's New Jersey gross income tax return that a portion of the taxpayer's tax refund or an enclosed contribution shall be deposited in the special fund in accordance with the provisions of P.L.1999, c.21 (C.54A:9-25.14).
c. Any costs incurred by the Division of Taxation for collection or administration attributable to this section may be deducted from receipts collected pursuant to this section, as determined by the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting. The State Treasurer shall deposit net contributions collected pursuant to this section and all moneys designated for the fund by jurors pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) into the "Community Food Pantry Fund."
d. The Legislature shall annually appropriate all funds deposited in the "Community Food Pantry Fund" to the Department of Agriculture for distribution to community food pantries through the State Food Purchase Program. All such funds received by community food pantries shall be utilized exclusively for the purchase of food. The Department of Agriculture shall cooperate with the Department of Human Services and the Department of Health and Senior Services to distribute the funds.
(cf: P.L.2009, c.124, s.1)
17. Section 2 of P.L.2009, c.124 (C.54A:9-25.26) is amended to read as follows:
2. a. There is hereby established in the Department of the Treasury a special fund to be known as the "Cat and Dog Spay/Neuter Fund."
b. Each taxpayer shall have the opportunity to indicate on the taxpayer's New Jersey gross income tax return that a portion of the taxpayer's tax refund or an enclosed contribution be deposited in such fund.
c. Any costs incurred by the Division of Taxation for collection or administration attributable to this section may be deducted from receipts collected pursuant to this section, as determined by the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting. The State Treasurer shall deposit net contributions collected pursuant to this section and all moneys designated for the fund by jurors pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) into the "Cat and Dog Spay/Neuter Fund."
d. The Legislature shall annually appropriate all moneys deposited in the "Cat and Dog Spay/Neuter Fund" established pursuant to subsection a. of this section to the "Animal Population Control Fund," established pursuant to section 6 of P.L.1983, c.172 (C.4:19A-5).
(cf: P.L.2009, c.124, s.2)
18. Section 1 of P.L.2009, c.172 (C.54A:9-25.27) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. There is established in the Department of the Treasury a special fund to be known as the "New Jersey Lung Cancer Research Fund."
b. The Legislature shall annually appropriate all monies deposited in the "New Jersey Lung Cancer Research Fund" established pursuant to this section to the New Jersey State Commission on Cancer Research, established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1983, c.6 (C.52:9U-4), for lung cancer research projects. As used in this section, "lung cancer research project" means a scientific research project which is approved by the commission and which focuses on the causes, prevention, education, screening, treatment or cure of lung cancer and may include, but is not limited to, basic, clinical, and epidemiologic research.
c. A taxpayer shall have the opportunity to indicate on the taxpayer's New Jersey gross income tax return that a portion of the taxpayer's tax refund or an enclosed contribution shall be deposited in the "New Jersey Lung Cancer Research Fund".
d. Any costs incurred by the Division of Taxation for collection or administration attributable to this section may be deducted from receipts collected pursuant to this section, as determined by the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting. The State Treasurer shall deposit net contributions collected pursuant to this section and all moneys designated for the fund by jurors pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) into the "New Jersey Lung Cancer Research Fund."
(cf: P.L.2009, c.172, s.1)
19. This act shall take effect on the 180th day following enactment and shall apply to persons beginning jury service on or after that date.
STATEMENT
This bill would allow jurors the option of designating that all or a portion of their jury duty fees be donated to various charitable funds. The funds are identical to those listed on the New Jersey gross income tax return. Under various provisions of Title 54A of the New Jersey Statutes, taxpayers may designate that a portion of their tax refunds or a contribution enclosed with the tax form be donated to certain charitable funds.
Jurors are paid the sum of $5 for each day of service and an additional $35 for each consecutive day of attendance in excess of three days. (N.J.S.A.22A:1-1.1.) This bill would not apply to full-time employees of the State or any political subdivision, as these persons are entitled to receive their usual compensation from their employers in lieu of any payment for jury service. (N.J.S.A.2B:20-16.)
Under the bill, jurors could donate their fees to any of the following:
(1) The "Endangered and Nongame Species of Wildlife Conservation Fund,"
(2) The "Children's Trust Fund,"
(3) The "Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Fund,"
(4) The "New Jersey Breast Cancer Research Fund,"
(5) The "U.S.S. New Jersey Educational Museum Fund,"
(6) The "Drug Abuse Education Fund,"
(7) The "Korean Veterans' Memorial Fund,"
(8) The "Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Education Fund,"
(9) The "NJ-AIDS Services Fund,"
(10) The "Literacy Volunteers of America - New Jersey Fund,"
(11) The "New Jersey Prostate Cancer Research Fund,"
(12) The "New Jersey World Trade Center Scholarship Fund,"
(13) The "New Jersey Veterans Haven Support Fund,"
(14) The "Community Food Pantry Fund,"
(15) The "Cat and Dog Spay/Neuter Fund,"
(16) The "New Jersey Lung Cancer Research Fund," or
(17) Any other fund added by the Administrative Office of the Courts (the "AOC") pursuant to the requirements of the bill.
Under the bill, the AOC would deduct administrative costs from the funds collected. The bill also provides that the Director of the AOC would be required to consult with the Director of the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury on or before January 1 of each year to determine whether, after the effective date of the bill, the Division has added new charitable funds to the list set out in the New Jersey gross income tax return. If new funds have been added by the Division, the Administrative Office of the Courts would add those same funds to the list of funds eligible to receive donations of juror fees.
