This bill establishes a grant program administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to provide financial assistance to retail business establishments that incur increased business expenses due to public highway projects. The program is designed to reimburse businesses located within impacted construction zones for costs incurred during a defined "relief period," which spans from the commencement to the conclusion of a public highway project. The bill outlines the criteria for eligible applicants, defines key terms such as "business expenses" and "impacted construction zone," and specifies the documentation required for grant applications, including evidence of regular business expenses and increased expenses during the relief period.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the EDA review and approve grant applications on a rolling basis, contingent on available funding. Grants will be awarded based on the difference between the increased business expenses incurred during the relief period and the regular business expenses prior to that period. To facilitate the application process, the Commissioner of Transportation is required to notify the EDA of the commencement and completion of public highway projects, as well as ongoing projects within 30 days of the bill's effective date. The bill appropriates $1 million from the General Fund to support the administration of this grant program.