NJBIA supported a bill approved by the full Assembly on Thursday that would modernize the state permitting process and make it more accountable through a statewide online tracking system that lets businesses see the status of permits, licenses, certifications and form applications.
Under the bill, A-4275, the New Jersey Innovation Authority and Office of Innovation would be responsible for creating and maintaining the New Jersey Permitting Dashboard.
A pilot program, established by Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s Executive Order 5, launched in June but it is limited to 10 housing, energy and commercial real estate projects involving only three state departments: Environmental Protection, Community Affairs, and Transportation.
The legislation, sponsored by Assemblymen Dan Hutchison (D-4) and Cody Miller (D-4), would broaden that pilot and make the permitting dashboard permanent by codifying it by statute.
“NJBIA supports efforts to make government more accountable and reduce permitting delays that are costly to businesses,” NJBIA Chief Government Affairs Officer Christopher Emigholz said. “Permit delays increase financing and construction costs, delays job creation, and creates uncertainty in the minds of businesses on whether an investment makes financial sense.”
The FY27 state budget included a $13.3 million line item for the Innovation Authority to support initiatives such as the New Jersey Permitting Dashboard and New Jersey School Report Card but did not break down the how much funding would be directed to specific projects, according to a fiscal statement prepared by the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Services.
Bill A-4275 passed by a vote of 72-1 with 2 abstentions and now goes to the Senate.
