ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

ASSEMBLY, Nos. 833 and 2537

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 18, 2023

      The Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Nos. 833 and 2537 ACS.

     As amended, this bill provides that the professional and occupational licensing boards in the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety will not charge a fee for an initial application and issuance of a license, certificate of registration, or certificate to a veteran or the veteran’s spouse, domestic partner, or civil union partner if that individual resides in New Jersey and is seeking issuance of a credential on the basis of reciprocity.  In each such instance, the board has determined that the veteran, spouse, or partner holds a current license to practice the profession or occupation in another jurisdiction with licensure requirements that are equivalent, or substantially equivalent, to those adopted by the board.

     The bill defines “veteran” as a person who received an honorable discharge at any time from a branch of the active or reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard of any state.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

      The committee amended the bill to specify that a fee will not be charged for the initial application and issuance of a professional or occupational license, certificate of registration, or certificate to an applicant who is veteran or the spouse, domestic partner, or civil union partner of a veteran if that applicant resides in this State and holds a current license. 

      These amendments make this bill identical to Senate Bill No. 3151 (1R).

FISCAL IMPACT:

      The Office of Legislative Services 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.