SENATE STATE GOVERNMENT, WAGERING, TOURISM & HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 305

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 16, 2024

      The Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 305.

This bill requires the enrollment in the Workers Compensation Judges Part of the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) of Administrative Law Judges of the Office of Administrative Law, as a condition of employment for service as an administrative law judge for each judge enrolled after the effective date of the bill.

     Currently, administrative law judges are enrolled in the Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP).  Administrative law judges will be subject to and governed by the laws and regulations of the Workers’ Compensation Judges Part which was established in 2001 and reopened in 2021.

     An administrative law judge who is currently a participant in the DCRP will be transferred out of the program to the Workers’ Compensation and Administrative Law Judges Part of PERS within 90 days following the bill’s effective date.  An administrative law judge who is currently a participant in PERS will be transferred into the Workers’ Compensation and Administrative Law Judges Part of PERS within 90 days following the bill’s effective date.

     The account in the DCRP for each judge will be transferred and each judge will be given service credit for service during participation in the program of administrative law judges.  The unfunded liability for the benefits provided by the transfer will be paid by appropriations from the State General Fund.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.