NJ A4526

Establishes the New Jersey Dominican-American Commission as a 21-member body within the Department of State to advocate for the Dominican-American community, foster cultural engagement, and strengthen connections between New Jersey and the Dominican Republic.

Eight members will be legislators appointed by legislative leaders (two each from the Senate President, Senate Minority Leader, Assembly Speaker, and Assembly Minority Leader), with no two appointees from the same leader being of the same political party.

Thirteen members will be appointed by the Governor for three-year terms and must be state residents who have demonstrated leadership or served as prominent advocates within the Dominican or Dominican-American community.

The commission will appoint an executive director and annually elect a chairperson from among its members; members serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for expenses.

Annual reports with findings and recommendations must be submitted to the Governor and Legislature, with the first report due within one year of the initial organizational meeting and subsequent reports due by February 1st each year.