New Jersey Assembly Bill A2761

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/28/22
• Refer: 2/28/22

Caption

Requires entities at every level of government to conduct periodic studies of racial and ethnic disparities in public contracting.

Impact

The enactment of A2761 is poised to create a more transparent and accountable process regarding public procurement practices in New Jersey. By requiring periodic studies, the bill aims to identify and address potential inequalities in how contracts are awarded, thereby promoting inclusivity and fairness in government contracting. The results of these studies could lead to policy changes and reforms designed to mitigate any identified disparities, which may have significant implications for minority-owned businesses and overall economic equity within the state.

Summary

Assembly Bill A2761 mandates that entities across all levels of New Jersey government are required to conduct periodic studies focusing on racial and ethnic disparities in public contracting. These studies must be completed within six months of the bill's enactment and then every five years thereafter. They will analyze vendor utilization and assess whether disparities exist in the awarding of public contracts related to race and ethnicity. The findings of these studies will need to be compiled into reports and submitted to both the Governor and the Legislature for review, ensuring public access to this information.

Contention

While A2761 has strong support from advocates of racial equity and fairness in state contracting, there may be concerns regarding the administrative burden it places on government agencies and contracting units. Some stakeholders may argue about the resource allocation required to conduct these studies and how it could affect the efficiency of the procurement process. Furthermore, there may be debates about the methodologies used in these studies and the interpretation of the data, especially if disparities are found, which could raise questions about fairness and accountability within government contracting practices.