Section 34:1B-398 - Tax credit eligibility, application, artificial intelligencea. A business that meets the eligibility criteria in section 4 of P.L.2024, c.49 (C.34:1B-397) and is seeking tax credits for a project under the program shall submit an application for approval of the project to the authority in a form and manner prescribed by the authority.b.(1) Before the board may consider an eligible business's application for tax credits, the authority shall confirm with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the Department of Environmental Protection, and the Department of the Treasury whether the eligible business is in substantial good standing with the respective department, or, if necessary, has entered into an agreement with the respective department that includes a practical corrective action plan for the eligible business. The business entity shall certify that contractors or subcontractors that will perform work at the qualified business facility: are registered as required by "The Public Works Contractor Registration Act," P.L.1999, c.238 (C.34:11-56.48 et seq.); have not been debarred by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development from engaging in or bidding on Public Works Contracts in the State; and possess a tax clearance certificate issued by the Division of Taxation in the Department of the Treasury. The authority may also contract with an independent third party to perform a background check on the eligible business.c. An eligible business shall pay to the authority the full amount of the direct costs of an analysis concerning the eligible business's application for a tax credit, which a third party retained by the authority performs, if the authority deems such retention to be necessary. The authority shall have the discretion to waive all or a portion of the costs of application for a small business.d. If at any time during the eligibility period the authority determines that the eligible business made a material misrepresentation on the eligible business's application, the eligible business shall forfeit all tax credits awarded under the program, which shall be in addition to any other criminal or civil penalties to which the business and the officer may be subject.e. If circumstances require an eligible business to amend its application to the authority, then the chief executive officer of the eligible business, or an equivalent officer, shall certify to the authority that the information provided in its amended application is true under the penalty of perjury.f. Nothing shall preclude a business from applying for tax credits under the program for more than one project pursuant to one or more applications.Added by L. 2024, c. 49,s. 5, eff. 7/25/2024.