S 2559 New Jersey Senate · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Concerns parking violations that obstruct NJT bus operations and bicycle lanes in certain circumstances.

This bill (S 2559) allows New Jersey Transit (NJT) to use camera systems on buses to automatically issue citations for parking violations that obstruct bus lanes, bus stops, or designated bicycle lanes. It specifically targets drivers who illegally park in these zones when buses are present or in dedicated lanes without authorization. The system requires strict evidence handling: cameras must capture only violations, recorded images are stored securely for up to six months (or until citation resolution), and operators must undergo training and document daily system checks. Drivers can contest citations if the vehicle was a transit bus, school bus, emergency vehicle, or government vehicle performing official duties. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Transportation Committee (introduced January 13, 2026).
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action May 11, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Reprint · 7 edits
MODERATE
The Senate Transportation Committee's first reprint of S2559 makes several substantive amendments to the bus obstruction monitoring system bill. Most significantly, it narrows who can review recorded images to NJ Transit Police officers or certified employees, adds a new license/registration suspension penalty for non-payment of three or more fines, creates a right to appeal to Superior Court, and replaces the simple 60-day warning period with a two-phase rollout (180-day education campaign followed by a 90-day warning period).
Scope change
The bill's enforcement scope expanded through the addition of license and registration suspension as a penalty for non-payment, and the pre-enforcement timeline was substantially lengthened from 60 days to approximately 270 days (180-day education phase plus 90-day warning phase).
REQUIREMENT

The person who reviews recorded images to determine if a violation occurred was narrowed from any designated employee or contracted law enforcement agency to specifically an NJ Transit Police officer or a corporation employee who has been designated, trained, and certified by the NJ Transit Police Department.

The procedure for contesting a citation now requires that the contest be made pursuant to subsection a, and that procedures be established through rules and regulations adopted in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. The corporation must also send its final decision to the registered owner with instructions on how to pay or appeal.

ENFORCEMENT

A new provision allows the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission to suspend a driver's license or vehicle registration if an owner or operator fails to pay three or more fines. The corporation must notify the commission, and must also notify if the fines are later paid or the case is dismissed.

A new right to appeal a final decision by the corporation to the New Jersey Superior Court was added for registered owners who contest a citation.

SCOPE

The exemption for duplicate citations was broadened from covering only citations issued by a local parking authority to also include citations issued by any local law enforcement agency.

TIMELINE

The pre-enforcement rollout was changed from a single 60-day warning notice period to a two-phase process: first a 180-day public education and awareness campaign (including bus exterior advertising, social media outreach, press events, and website information), followed by a 90-day warning notice period that begins 90 days after program implementation.

DEFINITION

A new definition was added: 'Commission' means the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
3
Key actions
0
Committee
1
May 11, 2026
Committee
Referred to Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee
upper
Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Transportation Committee
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.