TRENTON, NJ – The Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee has recommended Assembly Bill No. 2619 with amendments, aimed at regulating political contributions by legislative aides. This legislation, dated June 13, 2024, seeks to prohibit legislative aides working in district offices from making political contributions greater than $30 to the legislator they work for.
This effort would alleviate the claims of impropriety and pay-to-play for state workers who engage in politics and are rewarded with jobs for their political contributions.
Under the amended bill, any legislative aide, whether part-time or full-time, employed by a member of the Legislature and working in a legislative district office as an aide, personal assistant, manager, advisor, or secretary, is restricted from donating more than $30 to that legislator’s candidate committee or joint candidates committee. Additionally, legislators and associated individuals are forbidden from soliciting or accepting contributions that exceed this limit.
Violations of these stipulations are considered a fourth-degree crime, potentially resulting in up to 18 months of imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.
The bill was initially prepared for the 2024-2025 session and has undergone technical revisions as suggested by the technical review process. Notably, the committee amendments have eliminated the post-employment donation restrictions, which previously applied to former employees for two years after ending their service.
