Bill Text: NJ S1353 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes "Trenton Makes Commission."
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-09 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee [S1353 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-S1353-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator MICHAEL L. TESTA, JR.
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
Senator LINDA R. GREENSTEIN
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes "Trenton Makes Commission."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act establishing a commission to identify ways to support New Jersey manufacturing and incentivize new manufacturing to locate in the State and supplementing Title 34 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. There is established, in the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, the Trenton Makes Commission. The duties and responsibilities of the commission shall be to assist the authority to develop strategies and recommend policies to the Governor and Legislature for adoption into law ways to incentivize manufacturing businesses to locate in New Jersey, while also focusing on strengthening the existing manufacturing business sector already established within the State.
b. The Trenton Makes Commission shall consist of 13 voting members, to be selected and qualified as follows:
(1) One public member appointed by the Governor;
(2) One public member appointed by the President of the Senate;
(3) One public member appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly;
(4) One public member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;
(5) One public member appointed by the Minority Leader of the General Assembly;
(6) One public member appointed by the Governor to represent the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program, Inc.;
(7) One public member appointed by the Governor to represent the New Jersey Business & Industry Association;
(8) One public member appointed by the Governor to represent the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce;
(9) The Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, or the chief executive officer's designee, who shall serve ex officio;
(10) The Secretary of Higher Education, or the secretary's designee, who shall serve ex officio;
(11) One public member appointed by the Governor to represent the State's county colleges;
(12) One public member appointed by the Governor to represent the State's public institutions of higher education; and
(13) One public member appointed by the Governor to represent the State's independent colleges and universities.
c. The 10 public members first appointed, barring those serving ex officio, shall all serve for an appointment term of four years. Thereafter, all other public members appointed by the Governor shall serve for a term of two years.
d. Each appointed member shall serve for the term of the appointment and until a successor shall have been appointed and qualified.
e. Any vacancies in the membership of the commission shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments were made.
f. The commission shall organize as soon as practicable after the appointment of its members, and shall select a chair from among its members, and a secretary who need not be a member of the board.
g. A majority of the entire commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Action may be taken, and motions and resolutions adopted by the commission at any meeting thereof by the affirmative vote of a majority of the full membership of the commission.
h. The members of the commission shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
i. The commission shall be entitled to the assistance and service of the employees of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, and may avail itself of the services of the employees of any other State department, board, bureau, commission, agency, or public institution of higher education in the State, as it may require and as may be available for its purposes.
2. The commission shall:
a. study and analyze approaches other states have utilized to incentivize and strengthen the manufacturing business sector in those states;
b. identify cost-effective techniques to (1) incentivize manufacturing businesses to come to New Jersey; and (2) bolster and support the existing manufacturing business sector within the State;
c. consult with the scientific and academic community for expertise and input; and
d. report its findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature no later than one year following the first meeting of the commission.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill establishes the "Trenton Makes Commission" (commission). The permanent commission is established to research and implement the best ways to incentivize manufacturing businesses to come into New Jersey, while also focusing on strengthening the current manufacturing business sector already established within the State.
The commission is to consist of 13 voting members, including members appointed by the Governor, legislative leaders, and relevant associations and agencies. The appointed members are to serve terms ranging from two to four years. The commission is tasked with studying and analyzing approaches other states have utilized to incentivize and strengthen the manufacturing business sector in those states, identifying cost-effective techniques to incentivize and support both new and existing manufacturing businesses within the State, consulting with the scientific and academic community for expertise and input, and reporting its findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature.
