Panel Clears Bucco Bill Absolving Businesses from Costly Fines for Minor Mistakes

Small businesses in New Jersey would be spared costly fines for innocuous paperwork filing errors under legislation sponsored by Senator Anthony M. Bucco and advanced today by the Senate Commerce Committee.

Bucco’s bill (S2347) provides forgiveness of penalties for first-time filing violations by small companies, including administrative or civil fines from State agencies or regulatory authorities.

“Red tape and cumbersome regulation make it difficult to run a business in New Jersey,” said Bucco (R-25). “If a business makes an honest mistake with paperwork, there’s no need to drop a heavy fine on them. The State shouldn’t burden them for petty oversights.”

Under the measure, fines would be retained for violations that harm or jeopardize the public, interfere with the collection of a tax, debt or revenue, or impede the investigation of criminal activity.

“More than 1.7 million state residents are employed by small businesses that are struggling to survive in a state notorious for its difficult business environment,” noted Bucco. “This is an opportunity to cut the little guy a break.”