ACR156

Sponsored by:

Assemblywoman ELIANA PINTOR MARIN

District 29 (Essex)

Assemblyman DANIEL R. BENSON

District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)

Assemblywoman ANNETTE QUIJANO

District 20 (Union)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblywomen Reynolds-Jackson, Haider, Assemblyman Stanley, Assemblywomen Speight, Lampitt and Mosquera

SYNOPSIS

Urges Governor, BPU, and certain Commissioners to increase female, minority, and veteran-owned small business participation in contracts awarded with certain federal funds.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

As introduced.

A Concurrent Resolution urging the Governor, Board of Public Utilities, and certain Commissioners to take actions to increase female, minority, and veteran-owned small business participation in procurements supported by funding from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Whereas, On November 15, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the $1.2 trillion federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Pub.L.117–58; and

Whereas, The IIJA is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to renew the nation’s long-term commitment to rebuilding American competitiveness through its critical infrastructure; and

Whereas, In New Jersey, the IIJA provides at least $13.1 billion to address the State’s most pressing transportation needs, including the Gateway Project; and

Whereas, The State is expected to receive $6.8 billion to invest in highways and roads, $1.1 billion for bridge repairs, $104 million for electric vehicle initiatives, $24 million for enhancing ferry services, $4.1 billion to improve New Jersey’s transit system, and substantial additional sums to address climate resiliency, broadband Internet access, and water and electric power infrastructure; and

Whereas, These investments will result in a significant number of jobs and opportunities for local businesses and it is imperative that federal resources are used to benefit all residents in the most fair and equitable manner; and

Whereas, A recent analysis by the Brookings Institution indicates that nationally people of color represent about 40 percent of the population, but only 20 percent of the nation’s 5.6 million business owners with employees. The nation could have millions more businesses if women and minorities became entrepreneurs at a comparable rate to the country as a whole; and

Whereas, A fair and equitable expenditure of infrastructure funds requires affirmative efforts to overcome the gap in female and minority business ownership and other factors that have prevented or inhibited participation by small businesses and minority, women, and veteran-owned business enterprises in the procurement opportunities offered by the State; and

Whereas, For the fiscal years of 2020-2022, the Department of Transportation has a 13.23 percent participation rate and New Jersey Transit has a 21.87 percent participation rate for the award of federally-funded transportation contracts to disadvantaged business enterprises. These rates were set via methodology required pursuant to federal legislation; however, the population of the State that comes from those disadvantaged backgrounds remains well in excess of the targets; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):

1. The Legislature of New Jersey respectfully urges the Governor, the Commissioners of the Board of Public Utilities and State departments receiving federal infrastructure funds under the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Pub.L.117–58, to renew their commitment to female, minority, and veteran-owned small businesses, by increasing outreach, transparency, and monitoring of procurement practices and work to ensure that these businesses receive opportunities and contract awards for the funds provided in the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Pub.L.117–58, at levels not just reflective of federal requirements, but the full diversity of the State population.

2. Copies of this resolution as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to the Governor, each Commissioner of the Board of Public Utilities, and each Commissioner of a State department receiving funding under the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Pub.L.117–58.

STATEMENT

This resolution urges the Governor, the Commissioners of the Board of Public Utilities, and State departments receiving federal infrastructure funds under the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to renew their commitment to female, minority, and veteran owned small businesses, by increasing outreach, transparency, and monitoring of procurement practices and work to ensure that these businesses receive opportunities and contract awards for the funds provided in the IIJA at levels not just reflective of federal requirements, but the full diversity of the State population.

The IIJA is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to renew the nation’s long-term commitment to rebuilding American competitiveness through its critical infrastructure. New Jersey will receive at least $13.5 billion to address the State’s most pressing transportation needs and build the Gateway Tunnel. According to recent reports, the State is expected to receive $6.8 billion to invest in highways and roads, $1.1 billion for bridge repairs, $104 million for electric vehicle initiatives, $24 million for enhancing ferry services, and $4.1 billion to improve New Jersey’s transit system. The IIJA is expected to create jobs and make needed investments in New Jersey’s cities and rural communities. Federal funds will be allocated to New Jersey to expand broadband Internet access, remove lead and other harmful contaminants from our drinking water, clean up and revitalize polluted industrial sites, initiate flood resiliency projects, and help homeowners reduce energy costs through weatherization assistance.

It is imperative that elected leaders use this opportunity to maximize the benefit of the federal resources for all residents in the most fair and equitable manner. This includes taking steps to overcome factors that have prevented or inhibited participation by small businesses and minority, women, and veteran-owned business enterprises in the procurement opportunities offered by the State, and to ensure that the State government renews its commitment to these businesses in its procurement practices involving the awarding of federal infrastructure funds through increased outreach, enhanced transparency, and effective monitoring of progress made in this regard. This will help make the federal infrastructure funds a game changer not only for our roads and bridges, but also for the State’s small businesses and minority, women, and veteran-owned business enterprises. New Jersey’s diverse population is an invaluable asset, and the State’s economic strength and vitality are inextricably linked to the continued growth and success of our business community.