LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE
ASSEMBLY, No. 1003
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
219th LEGISLATURE
DATED: SEPTEMBER 25, 2020
SUMMARY
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Synopsis: |
Requires DHS to develop outreach plan to inform certain students about Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. |
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Type of Impact: |
State Cost Increase. |
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Agencies Affected: |
Department of Human Services, Office of the Secretary of Higher Education. |
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Fiscal Impact |
Year 1 |
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State Cost Increase |
Indeterminate |
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· The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) concludes that the bill will increase expenditures by the Department of Human Services (DHS) due to certain one-time costs in developing a plan to increase outreach efforts to certain students regarding the New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (NJ SNAP). The OLS is unable to quantify this impact but estimates that expenses incurred under the bill will be insignificant due to low overall cost and the likelihood that any costs may be absorbed by the department’s existing operating budget.
BILL DESCRIPTION
This bill requires the DHS, in consultation with the Secretary of Higher Education, to develop a plan to increase outreach efforts to students enrolled in institutions of higher education in the State concerning the NJ SNAP, which provides assistance to eligible low-income families and individuals to purchase food. The outreach efforts are to include compiling, preparing, and disseminating information concerning the program’s eligibility requirements as they pertain to students, program benefits, and application procedures.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
None received.
OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES
The OLS concludes that the bill will increase expenditures by the DHS due to certain one-time costs in developing a plan to increase outreach efforts to certain students regarding the NJ SNAP. The OLS is unable to quantify this impact but estimates that expenses incurred under the bill will be insignificant due to low overall cost and the likelihood that any costs may be absorbed by the department’s existing operating budget.
The NJ SNAP is federally regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture pursuant to the “Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.” However, the Division of Family Development in the DHS works with county welfare agencies to administer the program. As an administrator, it is likely that the department will require minimal effort to compile and prepare information for outreach regarding NJ SNAP. The OLS estimates that any expense from these one-time activities may be absorbed by the department’s existing operating budget, minimizing or eliminating costs. Furthermore, the bill does not indicate how this information is to be disseminated. It is possible that the use of certain formats, such as websites and social media, will limit these costs.
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Section: |
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Analyst: |
Senior Research Analyst |
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Approved: |
Frank W. Haines III Legislative Budget and Finance Officer |
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 (C.52:13B-6 et seq.).