ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1516

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 8, 2026

      The Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1516 with committee amendments.

      As amended, this bill exempts wages earned as a poll worker from affecting an individual’s unemployment compensation.  The bill exempts services performed as a temporary board worker hired by a district board of elections who receives compensation for the discharge of election duties from the definition of “employment” in the unemployment compensation law. The bill exempts any wages paid to a temporary poll worker from unemployment, disability, and family leave insurance taxes.  The exempted poll worker would not be eligible for benefits under these programs.

      The exemptions created by the bill only apply to individuals whose compensation by a county board of elections does not exceed $1,000 in a calendar year. 

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to limit the exemptions created by the bill to individuals whose compensation by a county board of elections does not exceed $1,000 in a calendar year. 

      The committee amendments also make a technical correction.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      Fiscal information for this bill is currently unavailable.