Committee releases Home Business Jobs Creation Act with amendments after municipal concerns

The Senate Economic Growth Committee on Oct. 12 amended and released Senate Bill 116 and its identical companion Assembly Bill 2623, the Home Business Jobs Creation Act, which would classify certain home businesses as permitted accessory uses under state law and add liability‑insurance requirements for some operations.

The committee’s record described proposed amendments that update the bill’s findings and declarations, add a requirement for home businesses to comply with certain liability insurance provisions, extend the bill’s effective date and correct drafting references and the bill title.

Christopher Emigholz of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association and Michael Eganton of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce were recorded as supporting the measure and did not testify. Paul Pena of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities opposed the bill. Pena told the committee the league’s principal concern is that land‑use decisions have historically been managed locally through municipal master plans and the variance process. He said the league appreciated the sponsor’s amendments but maintained that “one‑size‑fits‑all approaches” from Trenton risk undermining local planning.

After brief committee discussion and a motion to amend and release, the committee conducted a roll‑call vote. Senators Corrado, Timberlake, Vice Chair Turner and Chair Cruz Perez all voted yes and the bills as amended were released to the floor.

Chair Cruz Perez noted the release did not end negotiations and invited continued discussions before the bills are posted for a floor vote.

The committee did not adopt floor‑calendar language in the hearing; the measure moves next to a floor posting and subsequent calendar steps before final passage in both houses.