ASSEMBLY BUDGET COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[Second Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 3883

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 28, 2026

      The Assembly Budget Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 3883 (2R).

      As amended, the bill requires the Governor’s Office of Volunteerism located in the Department of State, or any successor entity, to work with the Department of Human Services and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to modify and expand the State’s existing volunteer resources such that information is easily accessible to State residents regarding compliance, via volunteer hours or community service, with the Medicaid community engagement requirements, established in section 71119 of the federal “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” Pub.L.119-21, on or before October 1, 2027, with the expanded work requirements for SNAP, established in section 10102 of the federal “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” Pub.L.119-21, on or before October 1, 2027, and any subsequent federal regulations or guidance regarding these statutory requirements.

      At a minimum, these efforts are to include:  (1) modifying the existing, web-based HELPNJNOW portal, or any equivalent successor portal, to allow the public to search and apply for bona fide volunteer opportunities that comply with the applicable requirements; (2) engaging and soliciting non-profit and community organizations, businesses, governmental agencies, and other appropriate entities to identify volunteer opportunities that comply with the applicable requirements; (3) modifying the existing, web-based HELPNJNOW portal, or any equivalent successor portal, so that entities can:  register with eh State as an organization that offers volunteer opportunities in compliance with the applicable requirements; and submit volunteer opportunities to be included on the HELPNJNOW portal, or any equivalent successor portal; and (4) providing a link to the existing, web-based HELPNJNOW portal, or any equivalent successor portal, as well as an explanation of the applicable requirements, on the State’s NJ FamilyCare webpage, the State’s SNAP webpage, the Governor’s Office of Volunteerism webpage, and any other relevant webpage as determined by the Commissioner of Human Services.

      Under the bill, the Department of Human Services and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development are to establish a system by which to support the tracking of work activities and participation, including volunteer hours and community service acquired by SNAP applicants and beneficiaries that can be shared between departments in order to collaboratively administer the NJ SNAP ETP, as that term is defined in section 2 of P.L.2013, c.45 (C.44:10-96).

      The bill appropriates $200,000 to effectuate the bill’s provisions.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amendments:

      (1) increase the total appropriation of the bill to $200,000; and

      (2) revise the effective date of the bill.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      Fiscal information for this bill is unavailable.