SENATE LABOR COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 3778

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 10, 2021

      The Senate Labor Committee reports favorably, with committee amendments, Senate Bill No. 3778.

      This bill establishes the “New Jersey Small Business Indoor Air Quality Management Support Program.” This program shall provide loans to eligible small businesses for the improvement of indoor air quality. This program will be administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection. The loan funds may be applied to any aspect of the eligible small business intended to improve the business’ indoor air quality, including, capital purchases, employee training, and salaries, as determined by the authority, for new positions. Work performed using funds provided by the program shall be performed by an organization certified by the Testing, Adjusting and Balancing Bureau, National Environmental Balancing Bureau or the Associated Air Balance Council.

      Small business loans under this section shall be made pursuant to a small business loan agreement and shall bear interest at rates and terms deemed appropriate by the authority, and contain other terms and conditions considered appropriate by the authority.

       Any business that has received a grant through the program may apply to the department for a New Jersey Small Business Indoor Air Quality Management Certification. A condition for the issuance of a certificate shall be the completion of a successful indoor air quality management inspection. This inspection is to be performed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and be based on the Indoor Air Quality Management Checklist promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

      The amendments adopted by the committee require that work performed using funds provided by the program be performed by an organization certified by the Testing, Adjusting and Balancing Bureau, National Environmental Balancing Bureau or the Associated Air Balance Council.