SENATE STATE GOVERNMENT, WAGERING, TOURISM & HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

SENATE, No. 2656

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED:  SEPTEMBER 27, 2018

 

      The Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2656.

     This bill establishes a 35-member New Jersey Puerto Rico Commission in, but not of, the Department of State.

     The purpose of the Commission is to: advance bilateral trade and investment; initiate joint action on policy issues of mutual interest to New Jersey and Puerto Rico; promote business and academic exchanges between New Jersey and Puerto Rico; support Puerto Rico in its efforts to stabilize its economy; encourage New Jersey companies to invest in Puerto Rico’s infrastructure; and to address such other issues as determined by the commission pursuant to its purposes. 

     In order to carry out its purposes, the commission is to establish subcommittees to examine the following issues: economic development, investment and trade; research, science, and technology; public policy advocacy; education; infrastructure; and such other issues as deemed appropriate by the commission.

     The members of the commission would be appointed as follows: two members of the Legislature would be appointed by the President of the Senate; two members of the Legislature would be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly; and thirty one members of the commission would be appointed by the Governor.  The members would include at least one representative from: a State institution of higher education; an electric or gas public utility; the HealthCare Institute of New Jersey, or its successor organization; the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce; and at least two representatives recommended by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.