SENATE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2525

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 11, 2020

      The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2525, with committee amendments.

      This bill expands the roles and responsibilities of the State’s Chief Diversity Officer. Currently, the Chief Diversity Officer is responsible for monitoring the State’s public contracting process to compile information on the awarding of contracts to minority-owned and women-owned businesses.

      In addition to performing this current role, the Chief Diversity Officer is to also be responsible for promoting diversity and inclusion within State government by developing a Statewide diversity and inclusion plan and ensuring that diverse candidates are considered for State positions.

      This bill gives the Chief Diversity Officer a more active role in promoting the utilization of minority-owned and women-owned businesses by State agencies, colleges, and universities.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amendments remove the requirement that the Chief Diversity Officer serve as a member of the State Investment Council.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) surmises this bill may increase State costs in the future if the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the State’s Chief Diversity Officer are required to hire additional staff to satisfy the bill’s requirements. 

      The OLS cannot predict future employment actions of the Executive, but notes that many of the requirements prescribed in the bill appear to be current responsibilities of that office and the Chief Diversity Officer.