Designates month of July as "Diverse Business Month" in New Jersey.

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Annette Quijano and 1 co-sponsor

Designates July as Diverse Business Month to raise awareness of diverse-owned businesses in New Jersey and encourage public and private observance and support.

Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee

#commissions

Overview

Type: Joint Resolution (designating a month)

Bill Number: AJR 186

Title: Designates July as “Diverse Business Month” in New Jersey

Status: Introduced in the Assembly on June 13, 2024; referred to the Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee

Companion/Senate action: SJR 122 (companion in the Senate)

Effective date: Immediate (takes effect upon enactment)

Purpose and Intent

Recognizes and highlights the importance of businesses owned by diverse groups (persons of color, women, veterans, and LGBTQ+ individuals) to New Jersey’s economy.

Aims to raise public awareness of the economic contributions of diverse-owned businesses and to promote supportive efforts by government, community, and business leaders.

Builds on existing certifications and studies showing disparities in access to capital and state contracting opportunities for diverse-owned firms; seeks to focus attention on ways to support these businesses.

Key Provisions

Designation: July of each year shall be designated as “Diverse Business Month” in New Jersey to promote the success of diverse-owned businesses.

Proclamation: The Governor is respectfully requested to issue an annual proclamation recognizing July as Diverse Business Month and to encourage public officials, community leaders, and business leaders to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.

Effective date: The resolution takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Background and Rationale (as presented in the bill)

Diverse-owned businesses are a significant portion of New Jersey’s economy:

Persons of color own 21.7% of New Jersey businesses.
Women own 39.6%; veterans own 4.2%.

Since a 2024 law (P.L.2024, c.10) allowing LGBTQ+-owned business identification, more than 150 diverse-owned businesses have become LGBTQ+ certified.

National data indicate substantial economic output from diverse-owned businesses (e.g., >$1.3 trillion in receipts for persons of color-owned businesses nationwide in 2020).

Challenges persist, including limited access to capital and disparities in state contracting for diverse-owned businesses in construction, professional services, and general goods/services.

Affected Parties

Businesses owned by diverse groups (persons of color, women, veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals) operating in New Jersey.

State and local government officials, community leaders, and business leaders who participate in observance activities and programs.

Public agencies involved in contracting and economic development may be encouraged to highlight diverse-owned businesses during the designated month.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Introduced: June 13, 2024

Committee action: Referred to the Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee

Related legislation: Companion bill SJR 122 in the Senate

No funding or programmatic authorization is proposed; the measure is ceremonial, creating a yearly observance and a gubernatorial proclamation.

Potential Impact

Primarily ceremonial and awareness-building, with the potential to encourage public and private sector events, outreach, and programming to support diverse-owned businesses during July.

Could influence contracting outreach and supplier diversity conversations by elevating the visibility of these businesses, though it does not alter statutory procurement requirements or create new programs on its own.

Bill