New Jersey § 34:11-56

§ 34:11-56.

The commissioner shall have the authority to: a. investigate and ascertain the wages of longshoremen employed in any waterfront

facility in the State; b. enter and inspect the place of business or employment of any waterfront employer

employing longshoremen at any waterfront facility in the State, and question those

employees and investigate any facts, conditions or matters which the commissioner

deems appropriate to determine whether any person has violated any provision of this

act or rule or regulation adopted pursuant to this act or which may aid in the enforcement

of the provisions of this act; c. administer oaths and examine witnesses under oath, issue subpoenas, compel the

attendance of witnesses and the production of papers, books, accounts, records, payrolls,

documents, and testimony, and take depositions and affidavits in any proceeding before

the commissioner; d. Copy any books, registers, payrolls, and other records as the commissioner deems

necessary or appropriate; obtain proof of, and question, any longshoreman's identity

to determine whether the longshoreman's identity is accurately and truthfully included

or reported in any books, registers, payrolls, and other records of the waterfront

employer and question the longshoremen for the purpose of ascertaining whether the

provisions of this act have been and are being complied with; e. obtain from the waterfront employers full and correct statements in writing, including

sworn statements, regarding wages, hours, names, addresses, and such other information

pertaining to the waterfront employer's longshoremen and their employment as the commissioner

deems necessary or appropriate; and f. require any waterfront employer to file, within 10 days of receipt of a request,

any records enumerated in this section, sworn to as to their validity and accuracy. In the case of a public waterfront facility in which a public body has an agreement

to make payments to a waterfront employer, if the waterfront employer fails to provide

the requested records within 10 days, the commissioner may direct within 15 days the

fiscal or financial officer charged with the custody and disbursements of the funds

of the public body immediately to withhold from payment to the waterfront employer

up to 25 percent of the amount, not to exceed $100,000, to be paid to the waterfront

employer under the terms of the agreement. The amount withheld shall be immediately released upon receipt by the public body

of a notice from the commissioner indicating that the request for records has been

satisfied. If a person fails to comply with any subpoena lawfully issued, or on the refusal of

any witness to testify to any matter regarding which he may be lawfully interrogated,

it shall be the duty of the Superior Court, on application by the commissioner, to

compel obedience by proceedings for contempt, as in the case of disobedience of the

requirements of a subpoena issued from the court or a refusal to testify in the court.