SENATE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 1516

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 24, 2026

      The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 1516 (1R).

      As reported, 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.

      As reported by the committee, Assembly Bill No. 1516 (1R) is identical to Senate Bill No. 1116, which was also amended and reported by the committee on this date.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      Fiscal information for this bill is currently unavailable.