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Bill > A1480
NJ A1480
NJ A1480Suspends fines for certain first-time paperwork violations committed by small businesses.
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 would suspend the assessment of fines against small businesses for certain minor first-time paperwork violations. Under the bill, a small business means a business entity that employs 50 full-time employees or fewer and qualifies as a small business concern as defined in the federal "Small Business Act." Under the bill, a fine would not be suspended if:· the violation has the potential to cause serious harm to the public interest;· failure to impose a fine or penalty would impede or interfere with the detection of criminal activity;· the violation concerns the assessment or collection of any tax, debt, revenue, or receipt;· the violation was not corrected within six months of the date the small business received notification of the violation; or· except as provided below, the violation presents a danger to public safety. If a State agency or regulatory authority determines that the violation presents a danger to the public safety, the agency or regulatory authority may nevertheless suspend the assessment of a fine under certain circumstances if the violation is corrected within 24 hours after notification to the business of the violation. This bill is based upon a federal bill that was sponsored in the 114th United States Congress, introduced on January 7, 2015. The federal bill provided for the suspension of fines under certain circumstances for first-time paperwork violations by small businesses.
AI Summary
This bill proposes to suspend fines for certain first-time paperwork violations committed by small businesses, which are defined as entities employing 50 or fewer full-time employees and meeting federal "Small Business Act" criteria. Fines would still be imposed if the violation could cause serious harm to the public interest, hinder criminal activity detection, involve tax or revenue collection, isn't corrected within six months of notification, or poses a danger to public safety, although in the latter case, a fine might still be suspended if corrected within 24 hours and the violation is deemed minor or inadvertent. This measure is inspired by a federal bill from the 114th Congress aimed at providing similar relief for small businesses.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee (on 01/13/2026)
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/2026/A1480 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/A1500/1480_I1.HTM |
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