SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 4396

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 15, 2025

      The Senate Judiciary Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 4396.

This bill repeals the law permitting a municipality to impose an application fee for a person applying for representation by a municipal public defender.

     Under current law, section 17 of P.L.1997, c.256 (C.2B:24-17), a municipality is permitted to impose, by ordinance, an application fee of up to $200 on any person applying for representation by a municipal public defender.  A municipal court is permitted to waive any required application fee, in whole or in part, if the court determines that the application fee represents an unreasonable burden on the person seeking representation.

     This bill would repeal the statute and thus remove the authority of a municipality to impose such fee.