Assembly committee releases package of small‑business regulatory bills

The Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee released a package of bills intended to reduce regulatory friction for New Jersey businesses, moving each measure forward following brief testimony from business groups and trade associations.

Committee Chair Craig Spearman and members voted to release the measures after proponents described them as low‑cost steps to speed permitting, improve notice to businesses and provide training for small operators.

Why it matters: Supporters told the committee the measures would help small and micro businesses that struggle with complex permitting, tight comment periods and limited resources for tax compliance. Proponents said the bills are largely administrative fixes that could speed projects, reduce fines for clerical errors and improve communication between agencies and the regulated community.

What the bills would do

- Assembly bill A5420 would permit an additional 30‑day extension of an existing cure period for businesses to resolve certain violations where an agency determines that denying an extension would be “contrary to equity and good conscience.” Proponents said the change would give small businesses more time to fix clerical or non‑substantive defects without immediate fines.

- Assembly bill A4492 would establish a fee‑refund program requiring state entities issuing permits, licenses or certifications to compile a catalog of the types issued, submit that catalog to the governor, and adhere to recommended application processing times. If an entity exceeds the recommended processing time after receiving a completed application, the bill would require refunding the application fee to the extent permitted by law.

- Assembly bill A5421 would require the Division of Taxation to develop and maintain free online tax training for small and micro businesses explaining filing and remittance for taxes including corporation business tax, gross income tax and sales and use tax.

- Assembly bill A5422 would let businesses opt to receive notice‑type communications electronically from the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services and, where applicable, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, instead of by paper mail.

- Assembly bill A5423 would require the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to include social media development services among the digital‑marketing and e‑commerce services offered through its Small Business E‑Commerce Support Program, a pilot under the Main Street Recovery Finance Program created by the New Jersey Economic Recovery Act of 2020.

Testimony and debate

Michael Eglinton of the New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce told the committee the package is “incredibly important,” saying small businesses "want to do the right thing" but often lack staff to keep up with regulatory complexity. He urged the committee to continue work on measures that improve permitting and plan review timelines.

Dennis Hart, executive director of the Chemistry Council of New Jersey, testified in support of A4492 and described lengthy permitting backlogs at the Department of Environmental Protection for major air permits, recounting examples where projects had taken months or years. "There are significant problems that need to be addressed, and I commend you for looking at this legislation," Hart said.

Committee action

The committee voted to release each bill to the full Assembly. Motions to release were made and seconded; roll‑call votes were recorded on the record for each bill and all were reported out of committee.

Ending

Supporters urged quick follow‑up work with agencies to implement the changes and stressed the bills' limited cost to the state. Opponents did not testify at length on these specific bills. The measures will go to the next legislative step for further consideration.