ASSEMBLY COMMERCE AND MILITARY AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 464

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JANUARY 29, 1996

      The Assembly Commerce and Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 464, with committee amendments.

      As amended, this bill establishes a toll-free telephone information line within the Division of Development for Small Businesses and Women's and Minority Businesses in the Department of Commerce and Economic Development to provide the public with information regarding entrepreneurial or business assistance programs available to small businesses from various public agencies and private businesses.

      To fund the services provided under the bill, the bill directs the division to use available State or federal resources and solicit private contributions. The bill also permits the division to assess a fee on any private business that wishes to have information regarding the division's small business assistance programs available through the toll-free information line.

      The committee amended the bill to provide that the division shall establish the toll-free telephone information line in consultation with the State small business development centers.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 1996 session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review which has been performed.