New Jersey § 34:11-56a4

§ 34:11-56a4.

a. There is established, in but not of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development,

the “Task Force on Wages and State Benefits.” The task force shall consist of 11 members, including the Commissioners of Health,

Human Services, Education, Community Affairs, and Labor and Workforce Development,

and the State Treasurer, or their designees, all who shall serve ex officio, and five

public members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate

as follows: one person nominated by an organization which represents the interests

of the business community in this State, one person nominated by the New Jersey State

AFL-CIO, two persons nominated by organizations representing the interests of low-income

individuals, and one person representing the interests of other disadvantaged individuals

who rely on services and benefits provided or administered by the State or its instrumentalities. Public members shall be appointed for four-year terms and may be re-appointed for

any number of terms. Any public member of the task force may be removed from office by the Governor,

for cause, upon notice and opportunity to be heard. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the

balance of the unexpired term. A member shall continue to serve upon the expiration of the member's term until

a successor is appointed and qualified, unless the member is removed by the Governor. b. Action may be taken by the task force by an affirmative vote of a majority of its

members and a majority of the task force shall constitute a quorum for the transaction

of any business, for the performance of any duty, or for the exercise of any power

of the task force. Members of the task force shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed

for the actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties

as members of the task force within the limits of funds appropriated or otherwise

made available for that purpose. c. The purpose of the task force is to evaluate how changes in required minimum wage

levels pursuant to P.L.2019, c. 32 ( C.34:11-56a4.9 et al.) may affect the eligibility of low-income individuals, and other disadvantaged

individuals, for a variety of services and benefits provided or administered by the

State or its instrumentalities, including, but not limited to, health, human services,

childcare, education, housing and tax benefits, and how the combination of changes

in minimum wage and eligibility standards may impact the living standards of the individuals

and their families. The task force shall produce annual reports of its findings, which shall include

any recommendations the task force deems appropriate for adjustments in eligibility

standards for the benefits, changes in benefit subsidy rates, and other relevant reforms,

to ensure that the combination of minimum wage increases and State services and benefits

are coordinated effectively so as to further advance the overall goal of raising the

living standards of working families. d. In furtherance of its evaluation, the task force may hold public meetings or hearings

within the State and call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of the

employees of any other State department, board, or agency which the task force determines

possesses relevant data, analytical and professional expertise or other resources

which may assist the task force in discharging its duties under this section. Each department, board, or agency of this State is hereby directed, to the extent

not inconsistent with law, to cooperate fully with the task force and to furnish such

information and assistance as is necessary to accomplish the purposes of this section. e. The task force shall issue its first annual report to the Governor and, pursuant

to section 2 of P.L.1991, c. 164 ( C.52:14-19.1 ), to the Legislature not later than September 30, 2019, and make the report available

to the public by means including the posting of the report on the websites of all

of the State departments represented on the task force. Each subsequent annual report shall be issued and made available to the public not

later than September 30 of the respective year and shall include a review of any administrative

and legislative actions taken in response to recommendations of previous reports of

the task force, together with an evaluation of the effectiveness of the actions in

facilitating the overall goal of raising the living standards of working families,

and any further recommendation deemed appropriate by the task force.