Bill Text: NJ A1160 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Requires explanatory statement of employee contributions to political committees.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-01-16 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Labor Committee [A1160 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2014-A1160-Introduced.html

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ASSEMBLY, No. 1160

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

216th LEGISLATURE

 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2014 SESSION

 

 

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman  JACK M. CIATTARELLI

District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Requires explanatory statement of employee contributions to political committees.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel

  

An Act concerning employee contributions to political committees and amending P.L.1991, c.190.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    Section 2 of P.L.1991, c.190 (C.34:11-4.4a) is amended to read as follows:

     2.    In the case of contributions withheld or diverted pursuant to paragraph (8) or (9) of subsection b. of section 4 of P.L.1965, c.173 (C.34:11-4.4), the contribution shall be withheld or diverted only after compliance with the following conditions:

     a.    The payroll deduction authorization must be signed by the employee and contain the following explanatory statement:

     I recognize that my/any contribution through payroll deduction is completely voluntary and in compliance with State law.  It shall be unlawful for any person soliciting an employee for contribution to such a fund to fail to inform such employee of his or her right to refuse to contribute without reprisal.

     Any questions relative to compliance with election law may be directed to the Election Law Enforcement Commission, 28 West State Street, Trenton, New Jersey 08625, [phone].

     b.    Any political action committee or continuing political committee which elects to solicit employees under the provisions of section 4 of P.L.1965, c.173 (C.34:11-4.4) shall file with the Election Law Enforcement Commission a statement of registration which identifies the title of the committee and the general category of entity or entities, including, but not limited to, business organizations, labor organizations, professional or trade associations, candidates for or holders of public offices, political parties, ideological groups, or civic associations, the interests of which are shared by the leadership, members or financial supporters of the committee.

     The statement of registration shall include: (1) the names and mailing addresses of the persons having control over the management of the affairs of the committee; (2) in the case of any person identified under paragraph (1) of this subsection b. who is an individual, the occupation of that individual, and the name and mailing address of the individual's employer, or, in the case of any such entity which is a corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other organization, the name and mailing address of the organization; and (3) an explanatory statement as to the process utilized for the selection of recipients of funds raised by committee.

     c.    The political action committee or continuing political committee shall provide space on the payroll deduction authorization document to allow the employee to direct his or her contributions to specific candidates.

     d.    No employee may elect to contribute more than $5 per week by means of payroll deduction.  No employee may have wages withheld or diverted for more than one political action committee or continuing political committee.

     e.    No solicitation shall be made for employee contributions on the job or at the workplace.

     f.     Any political action committee or continuing political committee [which elects to solicit employees] that receives any amount of contributions by means of the withholding or deduction of employee wages under the provisions of this act shall annually provide each employee participant with [a financial] an explanatory statement indicating the following: disbursement of funds including administrative charges; the recipient or recipients of the funds, if other than the political action committee or continuing political committee; and purpose for which the funds were ultimately used. The administrative cost of providing each employee participant with the annual explanatory statement required by this subsection f. shall be borne by the political action committee or continuing political committee and no public funds shall be used for the purpose of providing the explanatory statement.

(cf: P.L.1991, c.190, s.2)

 

     2.    This act shall take effect immediately.

 

 

STATEMENT

 

     This bill requires that any political action committee or continuing political committee, that receives any amount of contributions by means of the voluntary withholding or deduction of employee wages, must annually provide an explanatory statement to the employee indicating the following: disbursement of funds including administrative charges; the recipient or recipients of the funds, if other than the political committee; and the purpose for which the funds were ultimately used. The bill also stipulates that the cost of providing the explanatory statement will be borne by the political action committee or continuing political committee.