The Assembly Regulated Professions Committee voted to release Assembly Bill 4,295, which would establish the New Jersey India Commission as a statutory advisory body to the governor and executive branch agencies.

The bill, read into the record by committee staff, says the commission would “advance bilateral trade and investment between New Jersey and India, encourage mutual economic support, promote cultural and educational exchanges, study and initiate joint action on policy issues of mutual interest,” and otherwise advise the governor and state agencies. Committee members voted to release the bill to the floor after a brief witness presentation and no committee questions.

Rajpal S. Booth, testifying on behalf of the New Jersey India Commission, told the committee the commission began as Executive Order 354, issued by Governor Phil Murphy in February 2024, and that converting it to statute would sustain the work. “The executive order was initially created through executive order 354 by Governor Murphy in February 2024,” Booth said. He described last December’s five‑state trade mission to India led by the lieutenant governor and delegation members as “very successful” and said the commission now has 39 members and 14 memoranda of understanding, including sister‑state agreements with Gujarat and Telangana.

Booth noted New Jersey’s Indian American community is roughly 400,000 people and that India is a top foreign direct investor into the state. He said the commission’s goals include supporting trade, research ties and educational partnerships involving Rutgers, Princeton and Rowan universities.

Committee action: the panel voted to release Assembly Bill 4,295. Chairman Stanley called the roll; committee members who spoke in favor recorded “yes” votes and the clerk announced, “The bill is released.” The committee record shows no amendments or conditions attached at the posting stage.

Supporters said the measure would formalize and sustain a commission that already operates under an executive order; no opponents spoke during the committee posting. The bill now moves to additional committee consideration and potential floor action.

Details reported to the committee included the commission’s membership count, number of MOUs and the executive order origin; the text of the bill submitted to the committee defines the commission as advisory only and specifies it will provide advice to the governor and executive agencies.