Bill
Bill > A5165
NJ A5165
NJ A5165Requires Division of Consumer Affairs to hire staff to alleviate professional license application backlog; appropriates $10,000,000 in fiscal years 2026, 2027, and 2028.
summary
Introduced
01/14/2025
01/14/2025
In Committee
01/14/2025
01/14/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety to hire additional staff to alleviate the professional license application backlog. The bill appropriates $10,000,000 in fiscal years 2026, 2027, and 2028 for the hiring of additional staff. The various state professional boards are responsible for both the processing of initial license requests and the periodic licensure renewals as required by statute. There is currently a significant backlog of these license requests in several of the regulated professions within the Division of Consumer Affairs. Starting in fiscal year 2016, language has been included in the annual appropriations act allowing the transfer of funds from the professional boards to other organizations within the Department of Law and Public Safety. These transfers may have taken away flexibility the boards would have to hire additional staff to address backlogs. This bill appropriates $10,000,000 in each of the next three fiscal years to allow for both the immediate hiring of additional staff to alleviate the current backlog as well as to ensure ongoing funding to maintain proper levels of service for license processing across the regulated professions. The bill also requires the division to provide an annual report that provides details on the spending authorized by the bill, and the effect of the spending on division staffing and the processing of license applications and renewals.
AI Summary
This bill addresses the professional license application backlog within the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs by providing $10,000,000 in funding annually for fiscal years 2026, 2027, and 2028 to hire additional staff. The legislation recognizes that professional boards are responsible for processing initial license requests and renewals, and that current backlogs are hindering economic development and consumer protection. The division is required to prioritize hiring staff specifically to reduce processing delays across different professional sectors. As part of the bill's transparency requirements, the division must submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature detailing the incremental staffing additions, the person-months associated with new hires, and the license application backlog at the beginning and end of each fiscal year. The bill will automatically expire after the submission of the fiscal year 2028 report, ensuring that the additional funding and staffing are temporary measures designed to address the current backlog. By providing dedicated resources and mandating detailed reporting, the bill aims to streamline the professional licensing process and improve efficiency within the Division of Consumer Affairs.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Regulated Professions Committee (on 01/14/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A5165 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A5500/5165_I1.HTM |
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