New Jersey Senate Bill S3401

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/6/24
• Refer: 6/6/24
• Report Pass: 6/19/25

Caption

Establishes eligibility requirements for State small business set-aside program.

Impact

The bill modifies key definitions related to gross revenue calculations for businesses seeking to qualify for state assistance. It extends the timeframe for gross revenue assessment from three years to five years for businesses in operation, thereby considering a more comprehensive financial history. For new businesses, S3401 stipulates that their gross revenues will be projected based on the number of weeks they have been in business, allowing these businesses to demonstrate their potential rather than solving for past numbers, which could have been unduly restrictive.

Summary

Senate Bill S3401 aims to establish clear eligibility requirements for the State's small business set-aside program in New Jersey. This legislation comes as a response to the existing uncertainties regarding criteria used to classify small businesses, particularly concerning employee counts and gross revenue standards. Under this new bill, eligibility criteria would specifically apply only to businesses that do not fall under federal revenue standards defined in federal regulations. The adjustments ensure that small businesses in the state have more straightforward and attainable benchmarks for participation in state programs designed to support their growth and sustainability.

Contention

There may be points of contention regarding how these eligibility requirements will affect various small businesses statewide, particularly those that are newly established or are nearing the end of their operational lifespans. Advocates for minority and women-owned businesses will likely scrutinize the implementation of these requirements to ensure that the program is inclusive and genuinely supportive. They might express concerns that without careful monitoring, the changes could inadvertently disadvantage certain groups if the adjustments to eligibility criteria are not equitably enforced.