SENATE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1116

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 24, 2026

      The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 1116.

      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.

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

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amendments:

      (1)  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; and

      (2)  make a technical correction.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      Fiscal information for this bill is currently unavailable.