Bill > A4769

Introduced Session

This bill creates the "Shark River Bridge Study Commission." The study commission is required to analyze and develop recommendations concerning the potential economic impact caused by the closure of Shark River Bridge by the Department of Transportation. The study is to determine the number of businesses impacted by the closure of the bridge, the appropriate size of potential future grant issuances to businesses affected by the closure of the bridge, and the total dollar amount that should be appropriated for any such future grant program. The study commission is to consist of eight members: (1) a representative of the General Assembly, appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly; (2) a representative of the Senate, appointed by the Senate President; (3) the Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority or a designee; (4) the Commissioner of Transportation or a designee; (5) a representative of the local businesses in the Shark River Bridge area, appointed by the Governor; (6) a Borough of Belmar business owner appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly; (7) a Borough of Avon-by-the-Sea business owner appointed by the Senate President; and (8) a representative of the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners appointed by the Governor. The members of the study commission are required to be appointed within 60 days following the effective date of the bill, and the study commission is further required to organize as soon as practicable after the appointment of its members. The presence of three members of the study commission constitutes a quorum, and the study commission may conduct business without a quorum; however, the members may only vote on the issuance of the report required to be submitted to the Governor and the Legislature when a quorum is present. The members of the study commission are to serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties to the extent that such funds are made available for that purpose. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) is to provide professional staff and stenographic, clerical, and administrative assistance to the study commission. The study commission is required to prepare and submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and to the Legislature no later than 18 months after the organizational meeting of the study commission. Additionally, the bill requires the EDA, no later than 18 months after the submission of the study commission's report to establish the "Shark River Bridge Impacted Business Aid Program" in order to award grants to support businesses impacted by the closure of the Shark River Bridge by the Department of Transportation. Businesses impacted by the closure are permitted to use grants from the program to cover operational costs necessary to sustain the business during the closure of the bridge and are required to submit an application to the Chief Executive Officer of the EDA for a program grant in a form and manner prescribed by the chief executive officer. In addition to any other information that the chief executive officer may deem necessary, the bill requires applicants to submit: (1) the name and address of the business; (2) a description of the impact the closure of the Shark River Bridge has had or will have on business operations; and (3) a plan detailing how the grant will be used to sustain operations. Applications are to be approved by the chief executive officer on a competitive basis, subject to the availability of funds and the chief executive officer may award grants to approved applicants in such amounts as the chief executive officer deems appropriate, consistent with the findings of the report submitted by the "Shark River Bridge Study Commission." Within one year of the establishment of the "Shark River Bridge Impacted Business Aid Program," the EDA is required to submit a written report to the Governor and to Legislature detailing the operations of the program. At a minimum, the report is required to describe each business for which a program grant was awarded, specify the amount of each grant award, and assess the performance of the program.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sean Kean (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee (on 09/19/2024)

Official Document