ASSEMBLY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND WOMEN'S AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 3726

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 14, 2024

      The Assembly Community Development and Women's Affairs Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 3726.

     As reported by the committee, this bill would establish the State Commission on Minority Affairs within the Department of State.

The commission will consist of 29 members, including the following members, or a designee: the Secretary of State, Attorney General, Chief Diversity Officer, Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, and Commissioner of Education.  The Senate President, Senate Minority Leader, Speaker of the General Assembly, and the Minority Leaders of the General Assembly each are to appoint two members of their respective Houses, representing different political parties, to serve for the two-year legislative terms during which they are appointed. 

     The commission is also to consist of 16 public members.  The Senate President and Speaker of the General Assembly each are to appoint four public members, and the Governor is to appoint the remaining eight public members.  All public members are to be residents of this State, to be chosen with due regard to race, ethnicity, religion, and gender.  The public members will serve for the terms provided in the bill.

     The Secretary of State, or a designee, is to serve as the chair of the commission, and a public member is to be elected annually to serve as vice-chair. 

     Under the bill, the commission would be responsible for the following:

· studying matters affecting the social and economic welfare of minorities residing in the State;

· collecting and disseminating information on activities, programs, and essential services available to minorities in the State;

· studying the availability of employment for minorities in this State, and the manner in which minorities are employed;

· studying the ways in which minorities can be encouraged to start and manage their own businesses successfully;

· studying the availability of affordable housing;

· in cooperation with the Division on Civil Rights, promoting public information regarding State laws that prohibit discriminatory practices and procedures pursuant to which aggrieved persons may file complaints or otherwise take action to remedy those practices;

· promoting the creation of networks within the business community between majority-owned and minority-owned businesses;

· advising the Governor on matters relating to minorities and of concern to minorities; and

· recommending legislation to the Governor.

     The commission is required to annually report on its activities.  The report is to be transmitted by the Secretary of State to the Governor and the Legislature on or before December 31 of each year.