SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1788

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 16, 2026

      The Senate Commerce Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 1788.

      As amended, this bill establishes a fee refund program for individuals and businesses applying for permits, licenses, or certifications in this State.

      This bill requires State entities that issue permits, licenses, or certifications to individuals and businesses to compile a catalog of the types of permits, licenses, or certifications it issues and submit that catalog to the Governor.  This bill establishes information to be included in the catalog.

      This bill requires the Governor’s office to establish, within 180 days after enactment of the bill, recommended application processing times for the various types of permits, licenses, and certifications.

      Any State entity that exceeds 15 days past the recommended application processing time as established under this bill after having received a completed application will refund the amount of the application fee to the extent permitted by law.  The refund will have no bearing on the disposition of the underlying application.  A State entity is not required to refund an application fee if a delay in processing an application is due to the fault of the applicant.

      This bill defines “State entity” as a State department or agency, board, commission, corporation, or authority.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to:

      (1)  clarify the provisions of the bill impact individuals and businesses;

      (2)  require the Governor’s office to establish application processing times for State entities within 180 days of the enactment of the bill;

      (3) establish a 15-day grace period within which State entities are to issue refunds;

      (4)  exempt State entities from the refund requirement if it is determined that a delay in processing an application was the fault of an applicant; and

      (5)  make a technical update.