Legislation
New and revised legislations affect every type of OCNJ business. Stay current on the newest laws and regulations pertaining to OCNJ commerce with these legislation reports.
Thursday, July 7, 2022
NJ Teens Can Work Expanded Summer Hours Under New Law
NJ Teens Can Work Expanded Summer Hours Under New Law
Effective immediately, the legislation (A422) allows 16- and 17-year-olds to work up to 50 hours a week — up to 10 hours each day — when they aren’t in school. It also updates the hours 14- and 15-year-olds can work — a total of 40 hours a week during the summer
The expansion of work hours gives teens an opportunity to earn more money and helps employers cope with a labor shortage that has led to increased wait times for customers at seasonal businesses. Gov. Phil Murphy signed the law, A-4222/S-2796, sponsored by Assemblyman Roy Freiman (D-16) and Senator Vin Gopal (D-11)
Tuesday, June 14, 2022
Here’s what businesses need to know about the enhanced business meal deduction
Here’s what businesses need to know about the enhanced business meal deduction
The IRS encourages businesses to begin planning now to take advantage of tax benefits available to them when they file their 2022 federal income tax return. This includes the enhanced business meal deduction.
For 2021 and 2022 only, businesses can generally deduct the full cost of business-related food and beverages purchased from a restaurant. Otherwise, the limit is usually 50% of the cost of the meal.
Friday, March 25, 2022
New Jersey’s Single-Use Plastic Carryout Bag and Polystyrene Foam Ban Takes Effect May 4, 2022
New Jersey’s Single-Use Plastic Carryout Bag and Polystyrene Foam Ban Takes Effect May 4, 2022
NJ businesses urged to prepare for new requirements that will ban single-use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene foam food service products, and limits plastic straws
Do you run a grocery store or retail outlet that distributes plastic or paper carryout bags to customers, or a food service business that provides plastic straws and polystyrene foam clam-shell takeout containers and other products?
As part of the eco-friendly initiative to eliminate plastic pollution in the environment, New Jersey will soon ban single-use plastic carryout bags, polystyrene foam food service products, paper carryout bags in grocery stores at or larger than 2500-square-feet and will limit plastic straws to by-request-only. The ban will go into effect on May 4, 2022.
Thursday, February 10, 2022
NJEDA to Open Small Business Improvement Grant Application on February 10th
Friday, November 19, 2021
COVID-19 HOUSING AND SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
CAPE MAY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ANNOUNCE COVID-19 HOUSING AND SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
New assistance programs are available in Cape May County for renters, homeowners, and small business owners who were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of approximately $1.5 million in Federal Community Development Block Grant funds will be offered to provide relief to qualified individuals and entities. Program elements include rental/mortgage assistance and small business grant/loans.
The County developed their assistance programs in partnership with the Atlantic County Improvement Authority (ACIA), who will be the lead in accepting and processing applications. Information on the programs, eligibility requirements, and application materials can be found on the ACIA website at: https://acianj.org/applications3/ Applicants will be asked to register with the portal and to submit applications online. For those individuals or businesses who do not have access to the internet, please contact the ACIA at 609-343-2390 for paper copies of program materials.
Thursday, November 18, 2021
NJBAC Announces the Vendor Clearinghouse for Reusable Bags
N.J. Business Action Center Launches “Vendor Clearinghouse” To Identify Sources of Reusable and Paper Carryout Bags in Advance of State’s Single-use Plastic Carryout Bag Ban
Businesses are urged to prepare now for new requirements, which take effect May 4, 2022
TRENTON, N.J. –– The New Jersey Business Action Center (NJBAC), a business advocacy resource housed within the New Jersey Department of State, has launched a vendor clearinghouse of wholesale vendors to help business owners prepare for the state’s ban on the provision or sale of single-use plastic and paper carryout bags, effective May 4, 2022. This courtesy list identifies wholesale vendors and manufacturers who sell reusable and paper carryout bags that meet the requirements of the new law.
On Nov. 4, 2020, Governor Phil Murphy signed into law P.L. 2020, c.117, which prohibits the provision or sale of single-use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene foam foodservice products in all stores and food-service businesses statewide. The law also prohibits the provision or sale of single-use paper carryout bags by grocery stores that occupy 2,500 square feet or more. The law required the creation of a vendor clearinghouse to aid businesses in identifying vendors and manufacturers who sell reusable carryout bags allowed by the new law.
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
REOPENING OF PRE-REGISTRATION FOR PHASE 4 OF THE SMALL BUSINESS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM
NJEDA ANNOUNCES REOPENING OF PRE-REGISTRATION FOR PHASE 4 OF THE SMALL BUSINESS EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM
Small businesses and non-profits that missed previous deadlines to apply have another chance
TRENTON, N.J. (May 26, 2021) – The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) reopened pre-registration for Phase 4 of its Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program this morning, Wednesday, May 26th, 2021 at 9:00 a.m., the Authority announced today. In line with his commitment to a stronger and fairer economic recovery, Governor Phil Murphy recently announced the allocation of $200 million in additional funds to help fulfill Phase 4 grant applications. Small business owners and non-profits that have not previously applied for Phase 4 grants may pre-register as a preliminary step toward applying for grants of up to $20,000.
The $200 million in additional funds will continue to support the most adversely affected businesses in New Jersey, including $20 million for bars and restaurants, $120 million for micro-businesses, $10 million for child care providers, as well as $50 million for other small businesses and non-profits with up to 50 full-time equivalent employees. Since the initial launch of the Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program back in April of 2020, the NJEDA has distributed more than $259 million in aid to some 55,000 businesses across the state.
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
NJ Lifts Mask Mandate and Social Distancing Requirements
New Jersey, which was the first state in the nation to put an indoor masking requirement in place on April 8, 2020, will be lifting that statewide indoor mask mandate via executive order on Friday, May 28, Gov. Phil Murphy said today.
Additionally, the state’s current requirement for maintaining six feet of social distance in all indoor and outdoor settings will also be lifted on May 28.
This includes restaurants, retail spaces, personal care businesses, gyms, recreational and entertainment businesses such as casinos, religious services, weddings, political activities, funerals and memorial services, and performances.
Murphy added that individual businesses and other entities, which oversee indoor spaces may continue to require that employees and customers/guests wear facemasks or maintain six feet of distance if they so choose.
Monday, May 3, 2021
Governor Murphy Announces Additional Easing of Restrictions
Today, Governor Murphy will sign an executive order that makes the following changes effective Friday, May 7 (some of which were previously scheduled to take effect on Monday, May 10):
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
NJEDA Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant - Phase 4
Monday, April 5, 2021
Restaurant Revitalization Act - Important Info
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
Restaurant Revitalization Fund
This year we’ve had wins big and small for New Jersey restaurants. The Restaurant Revitalization Fund based @WeRRestaurant’s Blueprint for Recovery is the most important. Find out if your restaurant is eligible here: http://bit.ly/UnderstandingRRF
Thursday, March 18, 2021
Summer Work Exchange Programs Vital For Seasonal Tourism’s Recovery
Summer work exchange programs vital for seasonal tourism’s recovery, by Cape chambers of commerce
Many of the businesses in Cape May County depend on the Summer Work Travel (SWT) exchange programs and could not operate without them. We live in an area with a high percentage of seasonal businesses and the available American workforce in the area is not sufficient to provide all of the local businesses with the staff that they need during the busiest times. The SWT program helps the businesses in the community keep their doors open and serve more Americans during the peak tourist season.
As we come out of the pandemic and are given the thumbs up to increasingly open up our economies, we need to ensure that local businesses can operate to the capacity they are allowed in order to maximize the limited summer season. If Cape May County is going to be able to rebound, it will require businesses maintaining their full- time, year-round and seasonal employees. The Summer Work Travel programs help businesses supplement and diversify their workforce with a small, but critical, addition.
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Restaurants, gyms, personal services to go to 50% capacity on March 19
Gov. Phil Murphy announced Wednesday that restaurants, gyms/fitness centers, personal care services (hair and nail services) and recreational and amusement facilities will be allowed to operate at 50% capacity, beginning March 19.
Murphy issued a number of new capacity rulings at his COVID-19 briefing.
The governor said that the number of people at an indoor gathering could increase from 10 to 25 and that the number of people at an outdoor gathering could increase from 25 to 50. These gatherings exclude religious ceremonies, political events, weddings, funerals and memorial services, which can be held in greater numbers.
Thursday, March 4, 2021
Coronavirus Update for New Jersey Businesses 3/4/21
Today's News for New Jersey Business:
New rules for self-employed and sole proprietors applying for Paycheck Protection loans. Restrictions are loosened for weddings and summer camps.
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
Gov. Murphy Will Relax Restrictions On Restaurants Starting Friday
Today's News for New Jersey Business: Gov. Murphy said he will relax restrictions on restaurants starting Friday. Limits on many public gatherings will also be relaxed, including in gyms and entertainment venues. Paycheck Protection Program loans keep flowing.
Friday, January 15, 2021
SBA Re-Opening Paycheck Protection Program to All Eligible Lenders
The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, will re-open the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan portal to PPP-eligible lenders with $1 billion or less in assets for First and Second Draw applications on Friday, January 15 at 9 a.m. EST. The portal will fully open on Tuesday, January 19 to all participating PPP lenders to submit First and Second Draw loan applications to SBA.
Earlier in the week, SBA granted dedicated PPP access to Community Financial Institutions (CFIs) which include Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs), Certified Development Companies (CDCs), and Microloan Intermediaries as part of the agency’s ongoing efforts to reach underserved and minority small businesses.
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
Action Requested - Help Our Restaurants
Monday, January 11, 2021
PPP Available This Week
The PPP for first time applicants opens today, and the 2nd draw loan program starts on Wednesday. For more information, please see the below press release that came out on Friday, as well as these summary documents:
Top-line Overview of First Draw PPP (1.8.2021)-508
Top-line Overview of Second Draw PPP (1.8.2021)-508
The SBA website has also been update, so you can view all things PPP by visiting www.sba.gov/ppp.
Monday, January 11, 2021
Legislation Signed to Reduce Unemployment Insurance Payroll Tax
Legislation Signed to Reduce Unemployment Insurance Payroll Tax
New legislation will reduce the amount of an employer’s unemployment taxes through Fiscal Year 2023 in an effort to continue supporting small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Chamber Members
Ocean City New Jersey
