S2140

An Act concerning certain fees for civil service examinations and appeals and amending P.L.1992, c.197.

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

1. Section 1 of P.L.1992, c.197 (C.11A:4-1.1) is amended to read as follows:

1. a Except as provided in subsection b. of this section concerning law enforcement officer and firefighter examinations, the commission shall establish a [$15] $25 fee for each application for an open competitive or promotional examination. Persons receiving public assistance benefits pursuant to P.L.1947, c.156 (C.44:8-107 et seq.), P.L.1973, c.256 (C.44:7-85 et seq.), or P.L.1997, c.38 (C.44:10-55 et seq.) shall not be required to pay this fee if they apply for an open competitive examination. Receipts derived from application fees established by this subsection shall be appropriated to the commission. On or after July 1, 2015, and every five years thereafter, the chairperson of the commission shall review the fee established by this subsection and may modify the fee, provided, however, that the fee shall not exceed the cost of developing, procuring, and administering the examination.

b. The commission shall establish a fee for each application for an open competitive or promotional examination for a law enforcement officer or firefighter title. The fee shall not exceed the cost of developing, procuring and administering the examination[, including the processing of any appeals or reviews associated with the examination]. Persons receiving public assistance benefits pursuant to P.L.1947, c.156 (C.44:8-107 et seq.), P.L.1973, c.256 (C.44:7-85 et seq.), or P.L.1997, c.38 (C.44:10-55 et seq.) shall not be required to pay this fee if they apply for an open competitive examination. Receipts derived from application fees established by this subsection shall be appropriated to the commission for use in developing, procuring and administering law enforcement officer and firefighter examinations[, including the processing of any appeals or reviews associated with those examinations].

c. In addition to the fees established in subsections a. and b. of this section, the commission shall establish a $15 fee for each application for an open competitive or promotional 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.1973, c.256 (C.44:7-85 et seq.), or P.L.1997, c.38 (C.44:10-55 et seq.) shall not be required to pay this fee if they apply for an open competitive examination. Receipts derived from the application fee
established pursuant to this subsection shall be appropriated annually to the commission for the costs of the displaced workers pool program. This fee shall not be assessed and collected unless the commission implements a displaced workers pool program. If the displaced workers pool program is terminated at any time by the commission, the assessment and collection of this additional fee shall also be terminated.

d. The commission shall establish a $20 fee for each appeal filed under the provision of subsection a. or b. of N.J.S.11A:2-6, subsection e. of N.J.S.11A:4-1, N.J.S.11A:8-4, and the rules promulgated thereunder. Persons receiving public assistance benefits pursuant to P.L.1947, c.156 (C.44:8-107 et seq.), P.L.1973, c.256 (C.44:7-85 et seq.), or P.L.1997, c.38 (C.44:10-55 et seq.) shall not be required to pay this fee.

(cf: P.L.2008, c.29, s.29)

2. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2010, or if enacted after that date, this act shall take effect immediately upon enactment.

STATEMENT

This bill increases the fee for each application for a civil service open competitive and promotional examination from $15 to $25, with the exception of law enforcement officer and firefighter examinations. Persons receiving public assistance benefits are not required to pay the fee. In addition, this bill requires that the examination fee for non-public safety examinations be reviewed every five years beginning July 1, 2015 and permits modification of the fee as long as the fee does not exceed the costs of developing, procuring, and administering the examinations. This bill establishes a separate $20 fee for each appeal filed concerning discipline or termination actions, adverse actions relating to the examination and appointment process, and lay-offs and demotions. Persons receiving public assistance would not be required to pay the fee.