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Bill to create tax credits for apprenticeships and paid internships advanced; construction trades excluded in amendment
Summary
Senate Bill 3214, establishing tax credits of up to $5,000 per enrollee to incentivize apprenticeships and paid internships, was released after the committee amended the bill to exclude building and construction trade businesses; an electrical contractors group opposed the exclusion and urged reconsideration.
The Senate Labor Committee released Senate Bill 3214 after amending it to exclude building and construction trade businesses from eligibility for an "earn-and-learn" tax credit program. The bill would allow tax credits of up to $5,000 per enrollee per year for up to three years to encourage apprenticeships and paid internships that lead to permanent employment.
Eric DeJicero, testifying on behalf of the New Jersey Independent Electrical Contractors Association, said the amendment that excludes construction trades is puzzling and harmful because the construction trades historically require apprenticeships as part of licensure. "Came here today wholeheartedly hoping to support this bill, but, unfortunately, the amendments... necessitate us to change our position from one of support to one of opposition," DeJicero told the committee.
Committee members said they had seen the amendment only shortly before the hearing and expressed questions about its rationale; despite reservations several senators voted to release the bill and said they would attempt to fix or change the amendment language before the bill reaches the Senate floor.
