SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 4119

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 16, 2021

     The Senate Commerce Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 4119.

     This bill heightens penalties for the transfer of licenses, or license lending, issued by certain boards. Under the bill, in addition to any other penalty provided by law, an individual regulated by the Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors; the Elevator, Escalator, and Moving Walkway Mechanics Licensing Board; the Fire Alarm, Burglar Alarm and Locksmith Advisory Committee; the Licensed Master Hearth Specialist Advisory Committee; the State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractors; the State Board of Examiners of Master Plumbers; or other State entity created to regulate a skilled trade occupation in the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety who transfers a license provided to the individual by the requisite board to another individual is liable to a civil penalty of not more than $15,000 for the first violation and not more than $25,000 for the second and each subsequent violation. Current law stipulates any person who engages in conduct in violation of any provision of an act or regulation administered by a board, which includes license transfer, is liable to a civil penalty of $10,000 for the first violation and not more than $20,000 for the second and each subsequent violation.

     This bill also imposes the same heightened penalties for home improvement and home elevation contractors, who are regulated separately under Title 56.