Bill Text: NJ SJR122 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Designates month of July as "Diverse Business Month" in New Jersey.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Engrossed) 2024-06-28 - Received in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Commerce, Economic Development and Agriculture Committee [SJR122 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2024-SJR122-Amended.html

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[First Reprint]

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 122

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

221st LEGISLATURE

 

INTRODUCED JUNE 6, 2024

 

 

Sponsored by:

Senator  NELLIE POU

District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)

Senator  GORDON M. JOHNSON

District 37 (Bergen)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Designates month of July as "Diverse Business Month" in New Jersey.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     As reported by the Senate Commerce Committee on June 10, 2024, with amendments.

  

A Joint Resolution designating July as "Diverse Business Month" in New Jersey.

 

Whereas, Businesses owned by persons of color, women, veterans, and members of the LGBTQ+ community are an essential part of New Jersey's economy; and

Whereas, Persons of color owned 21.7 percent of the businesses in the State, while women and veterans owned 39.6 and 4.2 percent of the State's businesses respectively; and

Whereas, More than 150 businesses have become LGBTQ+ certified businesses since ¹Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 295 and¹ the passage of P.L.2024, c.10, which allows certain businesses to ¹[identify] certify¹ as an LGBTQ+-owned business; and

Whereas, Nationally, businesses owned by persons of color alone generated over $1.3 trillion in receipts in 2020, according to the United States Census Bureau; and

Whereas, Despite their economic impact, diverse-owned businesses in the State continue to face certain challenges to growth, which include limited access to capital; and

Whereas, A Statewide study examining the availability and utilization of State contracting opportunities for diverse-owned businesses found significant disparities for diverse-owned businesses in formal prime contracts for construction, professional services, and general goods and services; and

Whereas, It is in the public interest for this State to raise awareness of the positive economic impact of businesses owned by persons of color, women, veterans, and members of the LGBTQ+ community; and

Whereas, The observance of a "Diverse Business Month" in July of each year will provide government officials, community leaders, and business leaders with an opportunity to reflect on the importance of diverse-owned businesses and focus on ways to support diverse-owned businesses in the State; now, therefore,

 

     Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.    The month of July of each year shall be designated as "Diverse Business Month" in New Jersey to promote the success of diverse-owned businesses in the State.

 

     2.    The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing July as "Diverse Business Month" in New Jersey and call upon public officials, community leaders, and business leaders to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.

 

     3.    This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.