Bill
Bill > A3308
NJ A3308
NJ A3308Requires 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
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 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 mandates that the Division of Consumer Affairs, part of the Department of Law and Public Safety, hire additional staff to address a significant backlog in processing professional license applications and renewals, which are crucial for economic development and consumer protection. To fund this initiative, $10,000,000 is appropriated annually for fiscal years 2026, 2027, and 2028, with the goal of both immediately reducing the current backlog and ensuring ongoing efficient service. The Division will be required to submit an annual report detailing how the funds are spent, the impact on staffing levels, and the progress made in processing applications and renewals, with the act expiring after the final report for fiscal year 2028 is issued.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Regulated Professions Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A3308 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A3500/3308_I1.HTM |
Loading...