Establishes "Commission to Review Impact of COVID-19 on Small Businesses."

2024-2025 Regular Session Introduced by Yvonne Lopez and 3 co-sponsors

Creates an 11-member temporary commission to review COVID-19 rules and orders affecting NJ small businesses, then report findings to the Governor and Legislature to guide policy.

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

#commerce #commissions #disease

Overview

AJR 75 is a joint resolution introduced in the New Jersey Assembly on January 9, 2024. The bill would establish a temporary commission—the Commission to Review the Impact of COVID-19 on Small Businesses—to assess the effects of COVID-19–related administrative rules, regulations, and public health emergency orders on small businesses, investment, and New Jersey’s economic recovery.

Purpose and Intent

Create a structured body to evaluate how COVID-19–related actions (administrative rules, Executive Orders, local/county regulations) issued in response to the public health emergency have affected small businesses, investment, and overall economic growth in the state.

After each meeting, require the commission to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the State Legislature.

Key Provisions

Commission Composition

Total members: 11

Governor: 3 appointments
One ex officio: the Commissioner of the Department of Health (or designee)
One representative of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce
One representative of the New Jersey Business and Industry Association
Senate President: 4 appointments
Senate Majority Leader
Senate Minority Leader
Two public members (one with health care background; one with hospitality/small business background)
Speaker of the General Assembly: 4 appointments
General Assembly Majority Leader
General Assembly Minority Leader
Two public members (one with health care background; one with hospitality/small business background)

Vacancies filled in the same manner as initial appointments.

Scope and Duties

Review any administrative rules/regulations, Executive Orders, or local/county rules/regulations issued in response to the public health emergency declared by Executive Order 103.

Analyze impact on:

Small businesses
Investment and economic growth in New Jersey
Economic recovery prospects

After each meeting, issue a report to the Governor and the Legislature with findings and recommendations on the reviewed rules/regulations/EOs.

Operations and Resources

Appointment timeline: members appointed within 20 days after enactment.

Organization: commission to select a chair from among its members and a secretary (not required to be a member).

Quorum: six members; commissions may conduct business without a quorum but may vote only with a quorum present.

Staffing and funding: may use state, county, or municipal employees as needed; members serve without compensation but may incur authorized expenses within available funds.

Meetings: to meet regularly for the duration of the public health emergency; must hold at least three public hearings designated by the chair.

Definition of “small business”: principal place of business in New Jersey, independently owned and operated, and 100 or fewer full-time employees.

Duration and Expiration

Effective immediately upon enactment.

Expiration: the commission expires at the expiration of the Governor’s public health emergency declaration under Executive Order 103 (or any extension/replacement thereof).

Potential Impact

Aims to produce a data-driven review of COVID-19 policy actions’ effects on small business, potentially guiding future regulatory adjustments or policy decisions.

Creates a formal mechanism for stakeholder input through public hearings.

Temporary body with a defined sunset tied to the public health emergency timeline.

Bill