ASSEMBLY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND WOMEN’S AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4720

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

      The Assembly Community Development and Women’s Affairs Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 4720.

This bill requires the Chief Diversity Officer in the Department of the Treasury, in partnership with the Business Action Center and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, to conduct regular outreach events, training workshops, seminars, and other such educational programs virtually and throughout the State to promote awareness, access, and utilization of women-owned and minority-owned businesses in State contracting and subcontracting.

     Additionally, the bill requires the Chief Diversity Officer in the Department of the Treasury, in partnership with the Business Action Center and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, to conduct regular outreach events, training workshops, seminars, and other such educational programs virtually and throughout the State to provide women-owned and minority-owned businesses with technical, managerial, and financial training, including marketing assistance, personnel skill development, project management assistance, technology assistance, and financing assistance.

     As amended, the bill also calls for the outreach events, training workshops, seminars, and other such educational programs to be held at community locations deemed suitable by the Chief Diversity Officer, which may include, but are not limited to, locations provided by non-profit organizations or faith-based entities.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to specify that the events and programs conducted under the bill will be held at community locations deemed suitable by the Chief Diversity Officer, which may include, locations provided by non-profit organizations or faith-based entities.