On Tuesday, June 23rd, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee is holding a hearing on a bill that would raise taxes on companies and individuals that have been ordered to pay punitive damages. This legislation would significantly increase the cost of doing business in New Jersey compared to other states at a time when we should be looking for ways to increase our economic competitiveness. In addition, taxation via litigation discourages the state from seeking to improve New Jersey’s horrific legal climate since doing so would decrease tax revenue.

 

Under current law, businesses are able to deduct punitive damages they have paid out. S3034, which is being sponsored by Sen. Sweeney (D-3), and its Assembly companion, A4583, which is being sponsored by Asm. McKeon (D-27), would make punitive damages taxable. Businesses would be hit by a double whammy – forced to pay tax on money that has already been redistributed by the judicial system.

 

The bill would also tax defendants, both companies and individuals, on money paid to plaintiffs on the defendant’s behalf. As it is currently drafted, the bill would tax insurance policy holders on the punitive damages paid out by the insurance company to plaintiffs on the policy holder’s behalf.

 

The New Jersey Civil Justice Institute opposes this bill because taxing damages will drive up the cost of doing business in New Jersey and disincentivize legal reform.

 

We need your help to stop this bill from moving forward.

 

Please contact the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee members listed below and tell them that the taxation via litigation in S3034/A4583 is bad for business and wrong for New Jersey.

 

Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee Chair
Senator Paul A. Sarlo (D-36)
SenSarlo@njleg.org

(201) 804-8118

 

Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee Vice-Chair
Senator Brian P. Stack (D-33)
SenStack@njleg.org

(201) 721-5263 (Jersey City)

(201) 376-1942 Cell

 

Senator Peter J. Barnes (D-18)
SenBarnes@njleg.org

(732) 548-1406

 

Senator Jennifer Beck (D-11)
SenBeck@njleg.org

(732) 933-1591

 

Senator Anthony R. Bucco (R-25)
SenBucco@njleg.org

(973) 627-9700

 

Senator Sandra B. Cunningham (D-31)
SenCunningham@njleg.org

(201) 451-5100

 

Senator Linda R. Greenstein (D-14)
SenGreenstein@njleg.org

(609) 395-9911

 

Senator Kevin J. O’Toole (R-40)
SenOToole@njleg.org

(973) 237-1360

 

Senator Steven V. Oroho (R-24)
SenOroho@njleg.org

(973) 300-0200 (Sparta)

(908) 441-6343 (Allamuchy)

 

Senator Nelllie Pou (D-35)
SenPou@njleg.org

(973) 247-1555

 

Senator M. Teresa Ruiz (D-29)
SenRuiz@njleg.org

(973) 484-1000

 

Senator Samuel D. Thompson (D-12)
SenThompson@njleg.org

(732) 607-7580

 

Senator Jeff Van Drew (D-1)
SenVanDrew@njleg.org

(609) 465-0700 (Cape May Court House)

(856) 765-0891 (Millville)

 

Please also consider contacting the bill sponsors and letting them know that you oppose S3034/A4583. Sen. Sweeney’s email is SenSweeney@njleg.org and his phone numbers are (856) 251-9801 (West Deptford) and (856) 339-0808 (Salem). Asm. McKeon’s email is asmmckeon@njleg.org and his phone number is (973) 377-1606.

 

Click here to read NJCJI’s memo opposing this legislation. 

 

If you have any questions or comments about this legislation, need help contacting the legislators listed above, or would like to testify with NJCJI against this bill next Tuesday, please contact Alida Kass, NJCJI’s Chief Counsel.