(First Reprint)
To the Senate:
Pursuant to Article V, Section I, Paragraph 14 of the New
Jersey Constitution, I am returning Senate Bill No. 929 (First
Reprint) without my approval.
Workers’ compensation is an important program in New
Jersey, providing compensation to employees who suffer job related
injuries or illnesses through no fault of their own. It
is especially significant to families who receive benefits after
a loved one has died in the line of duty.
In 1979, the State made comprehensive changes to the
workers’ compensation law, resulting in higher payments for
workers totally and permanently disabled after December 31,
1979. The changes, however, created a disproportionate effect
on workers’ compensation payments made to those who sustained
total and permanent disability or death before the
implementation of those changes. In recognition of this
disparity, the Legislature established a cost-of-living
adjustment (“COLA”) for those injured on or before December 31,
1979 to align their payments with those injured after the new
reforms.
This well-intended bill would extend the workers’
compensation COLA benefit to total disability beneficiaries and
those receiving survivors’ benefits where the injury occurred
after December 31, 1979. The estimated yearly cost for the COLA
is at least $58 million and would be funded solely through an
increase in the annual surcharge on private-sector employers
paid into the Second Injury Fund (“SIF”).
Employers in New Jersey already pay the third highest
workers’ compensation rates in the Nation. This bill would
further raise those rates, putting even more of a burden on
private sector businesses. I have worked tirelessly with my
Administration to maintain a business environment that fosters
the growth of private-sector jobs in the State, and we have been
successful. This bill represents a step in the wrong direction
because an increase in the annual SIF surcharge would threaten
the State’s ability to keep existing employers in the State and
undermine efforts to attract new ones. I cannot sign a bill that
will pile yet another unacceptable financial burden on the
businesses of this State.
Accordingly, I am returning Senate Bill No. 929 (First
Reprint) without my approval.
Respectfully,
[seal] /s/ Chris Christie
Governor
Attest:
/s/ Thomas P. Scrivo
Chief Counsel to the Governor
................
S929 Aca (1R) Concerns certain workers' compensation supplemental benefits.
Received by the Senate
Identical Bill Number: A1908 (2R)
Last Session Bill Number: A4514 S613 (1R)
Sweeney, Stephen M. as Primary Sponsor
Madden, Fred H., Jr. as Primary Sponsor
Burzichelli, John J. as Primary Sponsor
Riley, Celeste M. as Primary Sponsor
Moriarty, Paul D. as Primary Sponsor
1/16/2014 Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Labor Committee
3/17/2014 Reported from Senate Committee, 2nd Reading
3/17/2014 Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
6/5/2014 Reported from Senate Committee, 2nd Reading
6/12/2014 Passed by the Senate (21-15)
6/12/2014 Received in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Labor Committee
10/27/2014 Reported and Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee
3/16/2015 Reported out of Assembly Comm. with Amendments, 2nd Reading
6/25/2015 Substituted for A1908 (2R)
6/25/2015 Passed by the Assembly (43-31-2)
6/25/2015 Received in the Senate, 2nd Reading on Concurrence
9/24/2015 Passed Senate (Passed Both Houses) (24-12)
11/9/2015 Absolute Veto, Received in the Senate
Introduced - 5 pages PDF Format HTML Format
Statement - SLA 3/17/14 - 3 pages PDF Format HTML Format
Fiscal Estimate - 3/26/14; as introduced - 8 pages PDF Format HTML Format
Statement - SBA 6/5/14 - 4 pages PDF Format HTML Format
Statement - ALA 10/27/14 - 4 pages PDF Format HTML Format
Statement - AAP 3/16/2015 - 3 pages PDF Format HTML Format
Fiscal Estimate - 4/8/15; 1R - 8 pages PDF Format HTML Format
Reprint - 3 pages PDF Format HTML Format
Veto - Absolute veto - 2 pages PDF Format HTML Format
Committee Voting:
SLA 3/17/2014 - r/favorably - Yes {3} No {1} Not Voting {0} Abstains {1} - Roll Call
SBA 6/5/2014 - r/favorably - Yes {8} No {2} Not Voting {2} Abstains {1} - Roll Call
ALA 10/27/2014 - r/favorably - Yes {6} No {2} Not Voting {0} Abstains {1} - Roll Call
AAP 3/16/2015 - r/Aca - Yes {6} No {1} Not Voting {1} Abstains {1} - Roll Call
Session Voting:
Sen. 6/12/2014 - 3RDG FINAL PASSAGE - Yes {21} No {15} Not Voting {4} - Roll Call
Asm. 6/25/2015 - SUBSTITUTE FOR A1908 Aca - Yes {0} No {0} Not Voting {80} Abstains {0} - Voice Vote Passed
Asm. 6/25/2015 - 3RDG FINAL PASSAGE - Yes {43} No {31} Not Voting {4} Abstains {2} - Roll Call
Sen. 9/24/2015 - CONCUR ASMB AMEND - Yes {24} No {12} Not Voting {4} - Roll Call
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Governor Christie Vetoes First Responder Workers' Compensation Bill (workers-compensation.blogspot.com)
NJ Senate Passes Law To Help Injured Workers (workers-compensation.blogspot.com)
Christie, Cuomo veto N.J.-N.Y. Port Authority overhaul (workers-compensation.blogspot.com)
NJ COLA Bill Passed by Senate (workers-compensation.blogspot.com)
