Houghtaling & Downey Bill to Suspend Certain Fines for Small Businesses Advanced by Assembly

(TRENTON) – Legislation (A-1677) sponsored by Assembly Democrats Eric Houghtaling (D-Monmouth) and Joann Downey (D-Monmouth) that would suspend the assessment of fines against small businesses for certain minor first-time paperwork violations was approved Monday by the full Assembly, 72-0.

The bill’s sponsors released the following joint statement:

“Small businesses face so many unique challenges. They shouldn’t need to worry over fines they incurred because of minor mistakes that do not cause serious harm to the public, mask criminal activity or violate tax laws. It makes perfect sense for us to lift this burden on small businesses and open the door for them to flourish in our State.”