New Jersey Assembly Bill A423

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/22
• Refer: 1/11/22

Caption

Exempts certain volunteer emergency service organizations from charitable contribution filing fees.

Impact

By removing the financial obligations associated with registration, A423 seeks to promote volunteerism and support for emergency service organizations that are crucial to community safety and health. According to current regulations, charitable organizations raising over $10,000 annually must register with the Division of Consumer Affairs and could be subject to fees based on their revenue. This act would amend those regulations, providing financial relief specifically to those service organizations directly engaged in emergency response.

Summary

Assembly Bill A423 aims to exempt certain volunteer emergency service organizations from the requirement to pay registration filing fees as stipulated under New Jersey's 'Charitable Registration and Investigation Act'. This exemption is specifically targeted towards non-profit corporations, associations, or organizations that are regularly involved in providing emergency medical care, rescue services, patient transport, or fire protection services. The bill intends to ease the financial burden on these critical local services that often rely on volunteer efforts.

Contention

One notable aspect of the bill is the potential discourse surrounding the impact on state oversight of charitable organizations. While supporters of A423 stress the importance of supporting volunteer organizations and facilitating their operations, critics may voice concerns about ensuring proper accountability and transparency within these groups. The exemption from fees must be balanced against the need for oversight to prevent any misuse of the trust placed in such organizations by the public.