New Jersey-2010-S1668-Introduced

An Act allowing voluntary contributions through gross income tax returns to a "New Jersey Colorectal Cancer Research Fund," supplementing P.L.1983, c.6 (C.52:9U-1 et seq.) and chapter 9 of Title 54A of the New Jersey Statutes.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. There is established in the Department of the Treasury a special fund to be known as the "New Jersey Colorectal Cancer Research Fund."

2. The Legislature shall annually appropriate all monies deposited in the "New Jersey Colorectal Cancer Research Fund" established pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) to the New Jersey State Commission on Cancer Research, established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1983, c.6 (C.52:9U-4):

a. for scientific research projects that are approved by the commission and that focus on the causes, prevention, screening, treatment, or cure of colorectal cancer, and which may include, but is not limited to, basic, clinical, and epidemiologic research; or

b. to promote public education or awareness about the causes, prevention, screening, treatment, and cure of colorectal cancer.

3. The New Jersey State Commission on Cancer Research shall solicit, receive, evaluate, and approve applications of qualified research institutions for grants from the "New Jersey Colorectal Cancer Education Fund," established pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill), to conduct research or promote public education or awareness relating to the causes, prevention, screening, treatment, and cure of colorectal cancer. As used in this section, "qualified research institution" may include academic medical institutions, State or local government agencies, public or private organizations within New Jersey, and any other institution approved by the commission, which is conducting a colorectal cancer research project.

4. a. A taxpayer shall have the opportunity to indicate on the taxpayer's New Jersey gross income tax return that a portion of the taxpayer's tax refund or an enclosed contribution shall be deposited in the "New Jersey Colorectal Cancer Research Fund" pursuant to section 1 of P.L. , c. (C. )(pending before the Legislature as this bill).

b. Any costs incurred by the Division of Taxation for collection or administration attributable to this act may be deducted from receipts collected pursuant to this section, as determined by the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting. The State Treasurer shall deposit net contributions collected pursuant to this act into the "New Jersey Colorectal Cancer Research Fund."

5. This act shall take effect immediately and section 4 shall apply to taxable years commencing on or after January 1 following enactment.

STATEMENT

This bill establishes the "New Jersey Colorectal Cancer Research Fund" in the Department of the Treasury and allows taxpayers to donate a portion of their income tax refund to the fund.

The bill provides specifically as follows:

· A taxpayer may make voluntary contributions to the fund by indicating on the taxpayer's New Jersey gross income tax return that a portion of the taxpayer's tax refund or an enclosed contribution is to be deposited in the fund in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A.54A:9-25.14.

· The Legislature is to annually appropriate all funds deposited in the fund to the New Jersey State Commission on Cancer Research to conduct research or promote public education or awareness relating to the causes, prevention, screening, treatment, and cure of colorectal cancer.

· The bill takes effect immediately and applies to taxable years beginning on or after January 1 following enactment.

This bill would permit taxpayers to make voluntary contributions to the New Jersey Colorectal Cancer Research Fund on their New Jersey gross income tax returns, in addition to any of the following funds to which contributions may currently be made:

-- the Endangered and Nongame Species of Wildlife Conservation Fund;

-- the Children's Trust Fund;

-- the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Fund;

-- the New Jersey Breast Cancer Research Fund;

-- the U.S.S. New Jersey Educational Museum Fund;

-- the Drug Abuse Education Fund;

-- the Korean Veterans' Memorial Fund;

-- the Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Education Fund;

-- the NJ-AIDS Services Fund;

-- the Literacy Volunteers of America - New Jersey Fund;

-- the New Jersey Prostate Cancer Research Fund;

-- the New Jersey World Trade Center Scholarship Fund;

-- the New Jersey Veterans Haven Support Fund;

-- the Community Food Pantry Fund;

-- the Cat and Dog Spay/Neuter Fund; and

-- the New Jersey Lung Cancer Research Fund.