Transportation in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3927: Requires DOT to study ability of each public highway to accommodate additional weight of electric vehicles.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) to study whether the state's public roads can safely support the heavier weight of electric vehicles (EVs). Within six months of the bill's effective date, the DOT must examine each highway to determine its capacity for EV weight, recommend improvements, and rank all highways from least to most capable. The DOT must then report findings to the Governor and Legislature, and prioritize highway projects addressing the least capable roads in the state's annual transportation funding plan. Additionally, any highway project seeking state funding must certify it will enable the road to accommodate EV weight.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Freight Roads & Highways

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1257: Requires NJT to publish certain safety violations and establish mechanism to report unsafe conduct.

This bill requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to publicly post on its website details of federal safety violations it receives and associated fines. Specifically, NJT must publish quarterly information about violations from the previous quarter (with data remaining online for five years) and also post all violations from the five years prior to the bill's effective date (with the same five-year retention). Additionally, NJT must establish a confidential toll-free hotline and email system for the public to report safety concerns that could endanger public health or safety. These provisions aim to increase transparency about NJT's safety record and provide accessible channels for public safety reporting.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1546: Requires underground structural assessment prior to commencing public highway or public transportation projects within close proximity to operating or retired mines.

This bill requires underground structural assessments before starting public highway or transit projects near operating or retired mines in New Jersey. It directly affects transportation projects (like roads, bridges, or transit lines) in areas with known or potential mine hazards, particularly in northern and central counties. The key mechanism mandates the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to develop guidance on mine proximity risks and require assessments to prevent subsidence-related damage, with the Department of Transportation coordinating the process. The law aims to prevent infrastructure failures like recent sinkholes on I-80 by making safety evaluations mandatory before construction begins.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2048: Increases transparency and accountability for NJT and independence of NJT board members; establishes Office of Customer Advocate; requires greater detail for capital program.

This bill reforms New Jersey Transit (NJT) governance by creating an independent Office of Customer Advocate to represent riders' interests. It requires the NJT board to include more diverse public members (with specific transit experience or expertise) and limits political party representation to no more than three members. The bill mandates detailed public reporting on capital projects and strengthens board independence from state transportation oversight. These changes directly affect NJT riders, board members, and the transparency of transit funding decisions.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Tags Government Transparency

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 19, 2026

A 4425: Provides 50 percent sales and use tax exemption for certain businesses in impacted municipalities during ongoing public highway project.

This bill provides a 50% sales tax exemption for small retail businesses operating in municipalities affected by ongoing public highway projects. It applies to businesses with a fixed location offering goods or services (like retail stores or charter boat services) during the "relief period" - the time between when a highway project starts and ends. Businesses must apply to the Tax Division Director for approval, verifying their location within an impacted area. The exemption automatically ends 30 days after the Transportation Commissioner notifies the Tax Division that the highway project is complete.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Incentives Roads & Highways

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly May 7, 2026

A 1040: Provides for expansion of county transportation services to include disabled veterans; provides funding source for expansion.

This bill expands New Jersey's existing Senior Citizens and Disabled Residents Transportation Assistance Program to provide transportation services specifically for disabled veterans needing to attend medical appointments for service-connected conditions. It directs the Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs to work with counties to identify veterans' transportation needs and provides funding by redirecting 4% of casino revenue fund allocations (previously used for senior/disabled transport) to cover these new services. The program helps counties pay for expanded transit options, including door-to-door service or subsidized rides, for veterans certified with service-connected disabilities by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. This directly affects disabled veterans in New Jersey who require transportation to VA-approved medical appointments but are not covered by existing travel reimbursement programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Transportation ✓ Veterans

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 2695: Provides exemption from DEP permit fees to municipalities after natural disaster involving flooding.

This bill exempts New Jersey municipalities from paying state environmental permit fees when repairing flood damage or building flood control structures after a flooding disaster. Municipalities must prove the work relates to storm damage to qualify for the fee waiver. The environmental agency (DEP) must publish application details within 90 days via the state register, website, and direct outreach to municipalities. The exemption applies immediately to permits for repairing roads, buildings, or flood infrastructure damaged by qualifying natural disasters.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 1147: Establishes pilot program in Office of Planning Advocacy to reimburse municipalities for certain expenditures concerning warehouse development; appropriates $1 million.

This bill (A 1147) establishes a $1 million pilot program in New Jersey's Office of Planning Advocacy to reimburse municipalities for specific costs related to warehouse development planning. It directly affects local governments that update zoning ordinances or conduct studies to address warehouse impacts like traffic, infrastructure, or environmental concerns. Municipalities must adopt warehouse-specific zoning consistent with state guidance to qualify for reimbursement, with priority given to those needing financial assistance. The program requires the Office to develop model zoning ordinances directing warehouse development to suitable locations and report on program effectiveness after funds are used. The pilot expires upon submission of this report.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

A 3885: Requires construction of sidewalks along certain routes within certain radius of public schools.

This bill requires New Jersey counties and municipalities to build and maintain sidewalks within a two-mile radius of elementary public schools and a 2.5-mile radius of secondary public schools, specifically on streets used by students that are deemed hazardous under existing safety criteria. It allows local governments to fund these sidewalks using permit fees, donations, grants, or other available funds. The law applies to all public schools (including those partially funded by state/local sources) and takes effect immediately. It directly affects school districts, local infrastructure planning, and students walking to school along designated routes.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics School Transportation Pedestrian Safety

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jan 13, 2026

ACR 15: Proposes Constitutional amendment to limit exercise of eminent domain to acquisition of land for essential public purposes.

ACR 15 proposes a constitutional amendment to limit New Jersey government's power to take private property (eminent domain) to only "essential public purposes." It would remove current authority to take land specifically for "blighted area" redevelopment, which is currently permitted under the state constitution. The amendment would define essential public purposes to include utility corridors, schools, hospitals, transportation projects, waste facilities, and recreational sites. This change would prevent government from using eminent domain to acquire land solely to redevelop blighted neighborhoods, though it allows for tax exemptions for private redevelopment projects under specific conditions.

Topics ✗ Housing ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Community Development

All transportation bills