New Jersey business owners would finally have the ability to push back against State regulations, under bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senators Anthony Bucco, Steven Oroho, and Troy Singleton. The bill, S-2345, passed the State Senate today.

“We have seen a  mass exodus of small business owners in recent years, and many are leaving because of red tape,” Senator Bucco said. “Every business owner should have the opportunity to fight back against rules and regulations that keep them from growing a business here. The New Jersey Regulatory Flexibility Act is a great tool. I hope that this legislation will encourage business owners to speak out and help us cut red tape, so they can stay and prosper in New Jersey.”

S-2345 would expand the scope of the existing New Jersey Regulatory Flexibility Act, and offer small business owners the right to challenge any rule that appears to violate the terms of  the act.

“Small business owners should have more recourse when it comes to combating the incredibly burdensome regulations that make it difficult for them to succeed in New Jersey,” Senator Oroho said. “The New Jersey Regulatory Flexibility Act has been in place for years, but it is all too often ignored or forgotten. This legislation will finally give employers the ability to weigh in on the rules that control how they operate here.”

The legislation, S-2345, would also expand the definition of small businesses to any company with less than $6 million in sales.

“Undoubtedly, small businesses are the backbone of the US economy. They serve as job creators and employers, but more importantly, they are a part of our communities,” Senator Singleton (D-Burlington) said. “However, small businesses cannot and should not be regulated the same as larger corporations. Their needs and resources are vastly different and our current rules make it difficult for them to generate serious economic growth. This bill aims to reverse that.”