On January 13, Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey (CCSNJ) Manager of Government Affairs, Hilary Chebra testified before the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee in support of a bill package sponsored by Majority Leader Louis D. Greenwald, which would assist restaurants and Main Street businesses struggling as a result of the pandemic.

The package includes six bills that do the following:

• A-5133 (Greenwald) - Establishes requirements for restaurants to operate during public health emergency declared in response to coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
• A-5135 (Greenwald / Karabinchak / Johnson) - Establishes Statewide standards for the use of heaters and tents by restaurants during COVID-19 public health emergency.
• A-5136 (Greenwald / Johnson) - Concerns restaurant safety during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
•  A-5137 (Greenwald / Vainieri Huttle / Johnson) - Requires ABC to waive fee for alcoholic beverage COVID-19 Expansion Permit.
•  A-5139 (Greenwald / Johnson) - Concerns restaurant tents during coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
• AJR174 / AJR199 (Moen / Greenwald / Johnson) - Establishes "Commission to Review Impact of COVID-19 on Small Businesses." 

The bills were favorably released from Committee and await further consideration by the Assembly.

To read the CCSNJ position, click here.

Should you have any questions, please contact Hilary Chebra, Manager of Government Affairs at hchebra@chambersnj.com.