Bill Text: NJ A246 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires reauthorization of payroll deduction for contributions to political committees.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-01-27 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Labor Committee [A246 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-A246-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
217th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2016 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman JACK M. CIATTARELLI
District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)
SYNOPSIS
Requires reauthorization of payroll deduction for contributions to political committees.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning payroll deductions for contributions to political committees and amending P.L.1991, c.190.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 2 of P.L.1991, c.190 (C.34:11-4.4a) is amended to read as follows:
2. In the case of contributions withheld or diverted pursuant to paragraph (8) or (9) of subsection b. of section 4 of P.L.1965, c.173 (C.34:11-4.4), the contribution shall be withheld or diverted only after compliance with the following conditions:
a. The payroll deduction authorization must be signed by the employee and contain the following explanatory statement:
I recognize that my/any contribution through payroll deduction is completely voluntary and in compliance with State law. It shall be unlawful for any person soliciting an employee for contribution to such a fund to fail to inform such employee of his or her right to refuse to contribute without reprisal.
Any questions relative to compliance with election law may be directed to the Election Law Enforcement Commission, [28 West State Street] P.O. Box 185, Trenton, New Jersey 08625, (609) 292-8700.
b. Any political action committee or continuing political committee which elects to solicit employees under the provisions of section 4 of P.L.1965, c.173 (C.34:11-4.4) shall file with the Election Law Enforcement Commission a statement of registration which identifies the title of the committee and the general category of entity or entities, including, but not limited to, business organizations, labor organizations, professional or trade associations, candidates for or holders of public offices, political parties, ideological groups, or civic associations, the interests of which are shared by the leadership, members or financial supporters of the committee.
The statement of registration shall include: (1) the names and mailing addresses of the persons having control over the management of the affairs of the committee; (2) in the case of any person identified under paragraph (1) of this subsection b. who is an individual, the occupation of that individual, and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer, or, in the case of any such entity which is a corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other organization, the name and mailing address of the organization; and (3) an explanatory statement as to the process utilized for the selection of recipients of funds raised by committee.
c. The political action committee or continuing political committee shall provide space on the payroll deduction authorization document to allow the employee to direct his or her contributions to specific candidates.
d. No employee may elect to contribute more than $5 per week by means of payroll deduction. No employee may have wages withheld or diverted for more than one political action committee or continuing political committee.
e. No solicitation shall be made for employee contributions on the job or at the workplace.
f. Any political action committee or continuing political committee which elects to solicit employees under the provisions of this act shall annually provide each employee participant with a financial statement indicating disbursement of funds including administrative charges.
g. The payroll deduction authorization shall be reauthorized by the employee pursuant to the following:
(1) If the employee signed an original payroll deduction pursuant to subsection a. of this section prior to July 1, 2013, the reauthorization shall occur immediately, and every three years thereafter;
(2) If the employee signs an original payroll deduction authorization pursuant to subsection a. of this section on or after July 1, 2013, the reauthorization shall occur once every three years from the date the employee signs an original payroll deduction authorization;
(3) Any reauthorization of an original payroll deduction authorization pursuant to this subsection shall be signed and dated by the employee and contain the explanatory statement provided in subsection a. of this section; and
(4) The administrative costs of providing the original payroll deduction authorization required pursuant to subsection a. of this section, and the administrative costs of any subsequent reauthorization required pursuant to this subsection g., shall be borne by the political action committee or continuing political committee and no public funds shall be used for the purpose of providing the payroll deduction authorizations or reauthorizations.
(cf: P.L.1991, c.190, s.2)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires that a payroll deduction authorization for the purpose of making contributions to a political committee must be reauthorized by the employee every three years. The bill provides that any reauthorization of a payroll deduction authorization must be signed and dated by the employee and contain a statement explaining to the employee that the payroll deduction is completely voluntary and that the employee may refuse to make a payroll deduction without reprisal. The bill also stipulates that the administrative costs of any payroll deduction authorizations or reauthorizations must be borne by the political committee and that no public funds may be used for the purpose of providing the authorizations or reauthorizations.
