The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.New Jersey bill establishes direct equity investment program for businesses impacted by major economic emergencies
Last action · January 13, 2026: Introduced, Referred to Assembly Commerce and Economic Development CommitteeSponsors: Gary Schaer and 2 others
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Would Do
Assembly Bill 606 establishes the Economic Emergency Investment Stabilization Program, allowing the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to make direct s ranging from $100,000 to $1,000,000 in qualifying businesses during major economic emergencies. To qualify, businesses must secure matching outside equity investments of at least 100 percent of the requested authority amount within 90 days of application and demonstrate pre-emergency profitability and stability. The legislation takes effect immediately upon enactment.
Qualifying New Jersey businesses facing severe economic distress can access state-backed equity financing, while the Economic Development Authority assumes ownership stakes of up to 25 percent that must be divested between 12 months and 10 years following the conclusion of the emergency.
- The New Jersey Economic Development Authority is the state's principal agency for driving economic growth and financing business development. context
- The General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
businesses impacted by major economic emergencies
Eligible businesses can apply for direct equity investments between $100,000 and $1,000,000 from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority during qualifying emergencies.
New Jersey Economic Development Authority
The authority is required to establish the investment program and stabilization fund, evaluate applications, execute matching investment agreements, and manage equity exits.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as a major economic emergency under this bill?
How much money can the Economic Development Authority invest in a single business?
What percentage of a business's employees must work in New Jersey to qualify?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
1 action- Jan 13, 2026HouseIntroducedIntroduced, Referred to Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Direct Equity Participation by State Authority
The legislation expands the powers of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority from traditional loans and grants into direct equity ownership of private businesses during emergencies.
Connected Entities
Sources
njleg.state.nj.us
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy25Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz30Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools