New Jersey A 1345: Provides enhanced penalties for certain crimes when victim is 65 years of age or older, or disabled.

Bill Text

A1345 

ASSEMBLY, No. 1345 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

� 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman CODY D. MILLER

District 4 (Atlantic, Camden and Gloucester)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblyman Hutchison

SYNOPSIS

���� "New Jersey Secretary of Commerce Act"; 
establishes Department of Commerce as principal department in Executive Branch 
of State government; makes an appropriation.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT 

���� Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative 
Counsel.

��

An Act establishing the Department of Commerce as a principal 
department in the Executive Branch of State government, supplementing Title 52 
of the Revised Statutes, amending P.L.1974, c.55, and making an 
appropriation.

���� Be It 
Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of 
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� (New section) This act 
shall be known and may be cited as the �New Jersey Secretary of Commerce Act.�

���� 2.��� (New section) The 
Legislature finds and declares that:

���� a.���� New Jersey�s economy is 
one of the most diverse in the nation, yet retaining and attracting businesses 
and creating high-quality jobs within the State remains a challenge.

���� b.��� Although the State�s 
economic policy seeks to stimulate economic growth through coordination across 
all economic sectors, departments, and agencies, the State has experienced a 
decrease in the coordination and centralization of these efforts following the 
abolishment of the Department of Commerce and Economic Development.

���� c.���� The New Jersey Commerce 
and Economic Growth Commission, later renamed the New Jersey Commerce 
Commission, was established after the abolishment of the Department of Commerce 
and Economic Development to streamline the coordination of economic development 
in the State but was subsequently abolished.

���� d.��� The decentralization of 
New Jersey�s economic growth policy has hindered the State�s ability to 
coordinate a cohesive policy approach to attract, foster, and retain business, 
industry, and innovation.

���� e.���� A centralized, 
streamlined, and strategic approach to commerce and economic development is 
essential for the long-term competitiveness of the State�s business climate.

���� f.���� Therefore, it is in the 
best interest of the citizens of this State to establish a principal department 
within the Executive Branch of State government to serve as a centralized focus 
for business and industrial concerns within the State.

���� 3.��� (New section) As used in 
this act:

���� �Secretary� means the 
Secretary of the Department of Commerce, the office established pursuant to 
section 5 of P.L.�� , c.���� (C.������� ) (now pending before the Legislature 
as this bill).

���� �Department� means the 
Department of Commerce established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.�� , c.���� 
(C.������� ) (now pending before the Legislature as this bill).

���� 4.��� (New section) There is 
established in the Executive Branch of State government a principal department 
which shall be known as the Department of Commerce.

���� 5.��� (New section) The 
administrator and chief executive officer of the department shall be a 
secretary, who shall be known as the Secretary of Commerce, and who shall be a 
person qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the 
office.� The secretary shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and 
consent of the Senate, and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor during 
the Governor's term of office and until the appointment and qualification of 
the secretary's successor.� The secretary�s entire time shall be devoted to the 
duties of the office and the secretary shall receive a salary as shall be 
provided by law.� Any vacancy occurring in the office of the secretary shall be 
filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

���� 6.��� (New section)��� The 
department and the secretary shall be responsible for the activities of the 
State government in the support and development of:

���� a.���� business, industry, and 
innovation through aid, promotion, and advertising;

���� b.��� domestic and foreign 
commerce;

���� c.���� business and 
technological growth; and

���� d.��� any program as 
determined by the department. 

���� 7.��� (New section) The 
secretary shall:

���� a.���� serve as the State�s 
chief economic development officer and principal advisor to the Governor on 
matters of commerce and economic policy;

���� b.��� coordinate Statewide 
efforts to promote job creation, business expansion, and workforce development;

���� c.���� oversee the formulation 
and execution of a Statewide economic development strategy;

���� d.��� serve as the primary 
liaison to the business community and lead efforts to reduce barriers to 
business investment in the State;

���� e.���� collaborate with the 
Economic Development Authority, the Department of Labor and Workforce 
Development, the Department of the Trea