New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A4723 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	ASSEMBLY, No. 4723 STATE OF NEW JERSEY 221st LEGISLATURE INTRODUCED SEPTEMBER 12, 2024
2	2
3	3	ASSEMBLY, No. 4723
4	4
5	5	STATE OF NEW JERSEY
6	6
7	7	221st LEGISLATURE
8	8
9	9
10	10
11	11	INTRODUCED SEPTEMBER 12, 2024
12	12
13	13
14	14
15	15	Sponsored by: Assemblyman BENJIE E. WIMBERLY District 35 (Bergen and Passaic) Assemblywoman VERLINA REYNOLDS-JACKSON District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer) Assemblywoman ELLEN J. PARK District 37 (Bergen) Assemblyman REGINALD W. ATKINS District 20 (Union) Co-Sponsored by: Assemblywoman Peterpaul SYNOPSIS Modifies title and role of Chief Diversity Officer; establishes New Jersey Office of Supplier Diversity and Business Opportunities. CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT As introduced.
16	16
17	17
18	18
19	19	Sponsored by:
20	20
21	21	Assemblyman BENJIE E. WIMBERLY
22	22
23	23	District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)
24	24
25	25	Assemblywoman VERLINA REYNOLDS-JACKSON
26	26
27	27	District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
28	28
29	29	Assemblywoman ELLEN J. PARK
30	30
31	31	District 37 (Bergen)
32	32
33	33	Assemblyman REGINALD W. ATKINS
34	34
35	35	District 20 (Union)
36	36
37	37
38	38
39	39	Co-Sponsored by:
40	40
41	41	Assemblywoman Peterpaul
42	42
43	43
44	44
45	45
46	46
47	47
48	48
49	49
50	50
51	51	SYNOPSIS
52	52
53	53	Modifies title and role of Chief Diversity Officer; establishes New Jersey Office of Supplier Diversity and Business Opportunities.
54	54
55	55
56	56
57	57	CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
58	58
59	59	As introduced.
60	60
61	61
62	62
63	63	An Act concerning the title and role of the Chief Diversity Officer, establishing the New Jersey Office of Supplier Diversity and Business Opportunities, amending P.L.2017, c.95, and supplementing Title 52 of the Revised Statutes. Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey: 1. Section 1 of P.L.2017, c.95 (C.52:32-18.1) is amended to read as follows: 1. There is established in the [Division of Purchase and Property in the State] Department of the Treasury a Chief [Diversity] Equity Officer. It shall be the duty of the Chief [Diversity] Equity Officer to monitor and report on the State's public contracting process for the purpose of compiling information on the awarding of contracts to [minority-owned and women-owned] small and diverse business enterprises, and to monitor the total value of all contracts and the percentage of the value of those contracts awarded to [minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises] all small and diverse business enterprises. It shall be the duty of the Chief Equity Officer to collect data and information from all State agencies and to publicly report this data and information concerning the State's public procurement process. Each State agency shall provide such data, information, resources, or other assistance as may be necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of the Chief Equity Officer. The Chief Equity Officer shall report directly to the State Treasurer. As used in this section: "State agency" means any of the principal departments in the Executive Branch of the State Government, and any division, board, bureau, office, commission or other instrumentality within or created by such department and any independent State authority, commission, instrumentality or agency which is authorized by law to award State contracts. "Small and diverse business enterprises" means minority businesses and female businesses as defined in section 3 of P.L.1983, c.482 (C.52:32-19), economically disadvantaged businesses or socially disadvantaged businesses as defined in section 1 of P.L.2023, c.300 (C.52:32-31.15), or disabled veterans' businesses as defined in section 2 of P.L.2015, c.116 (C.52:32-31.2), and such other business enterprises as the Chief Equity Officer deems relevant to the public interest. (cf: P.L.2017, c.95, s.1) 2. (New section) a. There is established in the Department of the Treasury the New Jersey Office of Supplier Diversity and Business Opportunities. b. The office shall be under the immediate supervision of the Chief Equity Officer, established pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2017, c.95 (C.52:32-18.1). c. The Chief Equity Officer may, within the limits of funds appropriated by the Legislature, hire and employ the staff deemed necessary to effectuate the duties of the office. d. The Office of Supplier Diversity and Business Opportunities shall: (1) support the Chief Equity Officer in achieving their mission as established pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2017, c.95 (C.52:32-18.1); (2) review existing State procurement policies and practices; (3) expand outreach to, and develop capacity-building opportunities for, small and diverse business enterprises; (4) process and manage business certifications for minority businesses and female businesses as defined in section 3 of P.L.1983, c.482 (C.52:32-19), economically disadvantaged businesses and socially disadvantaged businesses as defined in section 1 of P.L.2023, c.300 (C.52:32-31.15), and disabled veterans' businesses as defined in section 2 of P.L.2015, c.116 (C.52:32-31.2); (5) monitor the awarding of contracts to small and diverse business enterprises, and measure progress towards lawfully established and implemented contracting and subcontracting programs; (6) provide ongoing and relevant training to State agencies to assist with the State's public procurement process; and (7) evaluate the feasibility of establishing a cloud-based data management system for all State agencies to utilize for awarding and providing payments for State contracts. e. Each State agency shall report and submit to the office, in the manner specified by the Chief Equity Officer, all delegated purchasing authority solicitations and awards issued by such State agency in accordance with R.S.52:25-23. f. Each State agency shall develop, and submit to the office within not less than 180 calendar days prior to the end of each State fiscal year, a plan for the following fiscal year to comply with the certification programs for minority businesses and female businesses as defined in section 3 of P.L.1983, c.482 (C.52:32-19), economically disadvantaged businesses and socially disadvantaged businesses as defined in section 1 of P.L.2023, c.300 (C.52:32-31.15), and disabled veterans' businesses as defined in section 2 of P.L.2015, c.116 (C.52:32-31.2). The office shall analyze such plans and provide feedback and guidance to the State agencies, as may be necessary. g. As used in this section: "State agency" means any of the principal departments in the Executive Branch of the State Government, and any division, board, bureau, office, commission or other instrumentality within or created by such department and any independent State authority, commission, instrumentality or agency which is authorized by law to award contracts. "Small and diverse business enterprises" means minority businesses and female businesses as defined in section 3 of P.L.1983, c.482 (C.52:32-19), economically disadvantaged businesses or socially disadvantaged businesses as defined in section 1 of P.L.2023, c.300 (C.52:32-31.15), or disabled veterans' businesses as defined in section 2 of P.L.2015, c.116 (C.52:32-31.2), and such other business enterprises as the Chief Equity Officer deems relevant and appropriate. 3. This act shall take effect immediately. STATEMENT This bill modifies the title and role of the Chief Diversity Officer and establishes the New Jersey Office of Supplier Diversity and Business Opportunities. Under current law, the Chief Diversity Officer monitors the State's public contracting process for the purpose of compiling information on the awarding of contracts to minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises, the total value of all contracts, and the percentage of the value of those contracts awarded to minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises. This bill changes the title of Chief Diversity Officer to Chief Equity Officer and requires the Chief Equity Officer to monitor and publicly report the State's public contracting process for the purpose of compiling information on the awarding of contracts to small and diverse business enterprises, and to monitor the total value of all contracts and the percentage of the value of those contracts awarded to all small and diverse business enterprises. Each State agency will be required to submit the necessary data and information to the Chief Equity Officer. The Chief Equity Officer will be required to report directly to the State Treasurer. This bill also establishes the New Jersey Office of Supplier Diversity and Business Opportunities in the Department of the Treasury. The office will be under the immediate supervision of the Chief Equity Officer, who can, within the limits of funds appropriated by the Legislature, hire and employ staff. The office must: (1) support the Chief Equity Officer in achieving their mission; (2) review existing State procurement policies and practices; (3) expand outreach to, and develop capacity-building opportunities for, small and diverse business enterprises; (4) process and manage business certifications for minority businesses, female businesses, economically disadvantaged businesses, socially disadvantaged businesses, and disabled veterans' businesses; (5) monitor the awarding of contracts to small and diverse business enterprises, and measure progress towards lawfully established and implemented contracting and subcontracting programs; (6) provide ongoing and relevant training to State agencies to assist with the State's public procurement process; and (7) evaluate the feasibility of establishing a cloud-based data management system for all State agencies to utilize for awarding and providing payments for State contracts. Each State agency will be required to develop, and submit to the office within not less than 180 calendar days prior to the end of each State fiscal year, a plan for the following fiscal year to comply with the certification programs for small and diverse business enterprises. The office will analyze these plans and provide feedback and guidance to the State agencies as may be necessary.
64	64
65	65	An Act concerning the title and role of the Chief Diversity Officer, establishing the New Jersey Office of Supplier Diversity and Business Opportunities, amending P.L.2017, c.95, and supplementing Title 52 of the Revised Statutes.
66	66
67	67
68	68
69	69	Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
70	70
71	71
72	72
73	73	1. Section 1 of P.L.2017, c.95 (C.52:32-18.1) is amended to read as follows:
74	74
75	75	1. There is established in the [Division of Purchase and Property in the State] Department of the Treasury a Chief [Diversity] Equity Officer. It shall be the duty of the Chief [Diversity] Equity Officer to monitor and report on the State's public contracting process for the purpose of compiling information on the awarding of contracts to [minority-owned and women-owned] small and diverse business enterprises, and to monitor the total value of all contracts and the percentage of the value of those contracts awarded to [minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises] all small and diverse business enterprises.
76	76
77	77	It shall be the duty of the Chief Equity Officer to collect data and information from all State agencies and to publicly report this data and information concerning the State's public procurement process. Each State agency shall provide such data, information, resources, or other assistance as may be necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of the Chief Equity Officer.
78	78
79	79	The Chief Equity Officer shall report directly to the State Treasurer.
80	80
81	81	As used in this section:
82	82
83	83	"State agency" means any of the principal departments in the Executive Branch of the State Government, and any division, board, bureau, office, commission or other instrumentality within or created by such department and any independent State authority, commission, instrumentality or agency which is authorized by law to award State contracts.
84	84
85	85	"Small and diverse business enterprises" means minority businesses and female businesses as defined in section 3 of P.L.1983, c.482 (C.52:32-19), economically disadvantaged businesses or socially disadvantaged businesses as defined in section 1 of P.L.2023, c.300 (C.52:32-31.15), or disabled veterans' businesses as defined in section 2 of P.L.2015, c.116 (C.52:32-31.2), and such other business enterprises as the Chief Equity Officer deems relevant to the public interest.
86	86
87	87	(cf: P.L.2017, c.95, s.1)
88	88
89	89	2. (New section) a. There is established in the Department of the Treasury the New Jersey Office of Supplier Diversity and Business Opportunities.
90	90
91	91	b. The office shall be under the immediate supervision of the Chief Equity Officer, established pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2017, c.95 (C.52:32-18.1).
92	92
93	93	c. The Chief Equity Officer may, within the limits of funds appropriated by the Legislature, hire and employ the staff deemed necessary to effectuate the duties of the office.
94	94
95	95	d. The Office of Supplier Diversity and Business Opportunities shall:
96	96
97	97	(1) support the Chief Equity Officer in achieving their mission as established pursuant to section 1 of P.L.2017, c.95 (C.52:32-18.1);
98	98
99	99	(2) review existing State procurement policies and practices;
100	100
101	101	(3) expand outreach to, and develop capacity-building opportunities for, small and diverse business enterprises;
102	102
103	103	(4) process and manage business certifications for minority businesses and female businesses as defined in section 3 of P.L.1983, c.482 (C.52:32-19), economically disadvantaged businesses and socially disadvantaged businesses as defined in section 1 of P.L.2023, c.300 (C.52:32-31.15), and disabled veterans' businesses as defined in section 2 of P.L.2015, c.116 (C.52:32-31.2);
104	104
105	105	(5) monitor the awarding of contracts to small and diverse business enterprises, and measure progress towards lawfully established and implemented contracting and subcontracting programs;
106	106
107	107	(6) provide ongoing and relevant training to State agencies to assist with the State's public procurement process; and
108	108
109	109	(7) evaluate the feasibility of establishing a cloud-based data management system for all State agencies to utilize for awarding and providing payments for State contracts.
110	110
111	111	e. Each State agency shall report and submit to the office, in the manner specified by the Chief Equity Officer, all delegated purchasing authority solicitations and awards issued by such State agency in accordance with R.S.52:25-23.
112	112
113	113	f. Each State agency shall develop, and submit to the office within not less than 180 calendar days prior to the end of each State fiscal year, a plan for the following fiscal year to comply with the certification programs for minority businesses and female businesses as defined in section 3 of P.L.1983, c.482 (C.52:32-19), economically disadvantaged businesses and socially disadvantaged businesses as defined in section 1 of P.L.2023, c.300 (C.52:32-31.15), and disabled veterans' businesses as defined in section 2 of P.L.2015, c.116 (C.52:32-31.2). The office shall analyze such plans and provide feedback and guidance to the State agencies, as may be necessary.
114	114
115	115	g. As used in this section:
116	116
117	117	"State agency" means any of the principal departments in the Executive Branch of the State Government, and any division, board, bureau, office, commission or other instrumentality within or created by such department and any independent State authority, commission, instrumentality or agency which is authorized by law to award contracts.
118	118
119	119	"Small and diverse business enterprises" means minority businesses and female businesses as defined in section 3 of P.L.1983, c.482 (C.52:32-19), economically disadvantaged businesses or socially disadvantaged businesses as defined in section 1 of P.L.2023, c.300 (C.52:32-31.15), or disabled veterans' businesses as defined in section 2 of P.L.2015, c.116 (C.52:32-31.2), and such other business enterprises as the Chief Equity Officer deems relevant and appropriate.
120	120
121	121
122	122
123	123	3. This act shall take effect immediately.
124	124
125	125
126	126
127	127
128	128
129	129	STATEMENT
130	130
131	131
132	132
133	133	This bill modifies the title and role of the Chief Diversity Officer and establishes the New Jersey Office of Supplier Diversity and Business Opportunities.
134	134
135	135	Under current law, the Chief Diversity Officer monitors the State's public contracting process for the purpose of compiling information on the awarding of contracts to minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises, the total value of all contracts, and the percentage of the value of those contracts awarded to minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises.
136	136
137	137	This bill changes the title of Chief Diversity Officer to Chief Equity Officer and requires the Chief Equity Officer to monitor and publicly report the State's public contracting process for the purpose of compiling information on the awarding of contracts to small and diverse business enterprises, and to monitor the total value of all contracts and the percentage of the value of those contracts awarded to all small and diverse business enterprises. Each State agency will be required to submit the necessary data and information to the Chief Equity Officer. The Chief Equity Officer will be required to report directly to the State Treasurer.
138	138
139	139	This bill also establishes the New Jersey Office of Supplier Diversity and Business Opportunities in the Department of the Treasury. The office will be under the immediate supervision of the Chief Equity Officer, who can, within the limits of funds appropriated by the Legislature, hire and employ staff. The office must:
140	140
141	141	(1) support the Chief Equity Officer in achieving their mission;
142	142
143	143	(2) review existing State procurement policies and practices;
144	144
145	145	(3) expand outreach to, and develop capacity-building opportunities for, small and diverse business enterprises;
146	146
147	147	(4) process and manage business certifications for minority businesses, female businesses, economically disadvantaged businesses, socially disadvantaged businesses, and disabled veterans' businesses;
148	148
149	149	(5) monitor the awarding of contracts to small and diverse business enterprises, and measure progress towards lawfully established and implemented contracting and subcontracting programs;
150	150
151	151	(6) provide ongoing and relevant training to State agencies to assist with the State's public procurement process; and
152	152
153	153	(7) evaluate the feasibility of establishing a cloud-based data management system for all State agencies to utilize for awarding and providing payments for State contracts.
154	154
155	155	Each State agency will be required to develop, and submit to the office within not less than 180 calendar days prior to the end of each State fiscal year, a plan for the following fiscal year to comply with the certification programs for small and diverse business enterprises. The office will analyze these plans and provide feedback and guidance to the State agencies as may be necessary.