LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR
ASSEMBLY, Nos. 833 and 2537
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
220th LEGISLATURE
DATED: MARCH 30, 2023
SUMMARY
|
Synopsis: |
Waives certain professional and occupational licensing fees for veterans and spouses of veterans. |
|
Type of Impact: |
Annual State revenue loss. |
|
Agencies Affected: |
Department of Law and Public Safety. |
|
Office of Legislative Services Estimate |
||||
|
Annual Fiscal Impact |
|
|
|
|
|
State Revenue Loss |
Indeterminate |
|
||
|
|
|
|||
The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) notes that the bill would result in the annual loss of indeterminate State revenue from the bill requiring several occupational and licensing boards in the Department of Law and Public Safety to waive certain fees that are currently collected. It is unknown, however, how many new applicants would emerge under the provisions of this bill or how many applicants may have registered differently if these provisions had been available upon their initial registration in the State.
BILL DESCRIPTION
This bill prohibits several professional and occupational licensing boards in the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety from charging certain fees to a veteran or the spouse, domestic partner, or civil union partner of a veteran when granting that veteran or respective partner of the veteran, on the basis of reciprocity, a license to practice in New Jersey. In each such instance, the board has determined that the veteran or spouse holds a current license to practice the profession or occupation in another jurisdiction that the board determines has licensure requirements to practice the profession or occupation that are equivalent, or substantially equivalent, to those adopted by the board.
The bill defines a veteran as a person who received an honorable discharge from a branch of the active or reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard of any state.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
None received.
OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES
The OLS notes that the bill would result in the annual loss of indeterminate State revenue from the bill requiring several occupational and licensing boards in the Department of Law and Public Safety to waive certain fees that are currently collected.
The bill requires the boards to waive the fees for the initial application and issuance of certain professional or occupational licenses, certificates of registration, or certificates for veterans and their spouse, domestic partner, or civil union partner based on reciprocity with another jurisdiction. These fees are utilized to pay the costs of the different professional and occupational licensing boards within the Department of Law and Public Safety. For context, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs website indicates as of 2019 there are 350,538 veterans residing in New Jersey. Of those veterans, 184,043, or 53 percent, are aged 65 and over and would be less likely to seek a professional or occupational license. It is unclear if these statistics include members of the New Jersey National Guard. During the 2023 budget process, the New Jersey Adjutant General’s budget testimony indicated a membership of 7,909 New Jersey National Guard members. It is unknown, however, how many new applicants would emerge under the provisions of this bill or how many applicants may have registered differently if these provisions had been available upon their initial registration in the State.
|
Section: |
Law and Public Safety |
|
Analyst: |
Lead Fiscal Analyst |
|
Approved: |
Thomas Koenig 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.).