Transportation in New Jersey

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

A 2821: Directs DOT and NJT to study and report on transportation infrastructure needs in coastal counties.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and New Jersey Transit (NJT) to study and report on transportation infrastructure needs in Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, and Salem counties. The study must cover repair/maintenance of existing roads, bridges, and rail lines; potential new construction; environmental impacts; emergency evacuation planning (including routes and alternatives); traffic congestion; estimated costs; and federal funding availability. The report, due within six months, will inform decisions on coastal transportation improvements. This directly affects residents and emergency planning in these six coastal counties.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Rail

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

A 2415: Requires local government units to provide opportunities for military- or veteran- owned businesses to supply materials and services for projects receiving funding from NJ Infrastructure Bank.

This bill (A 2415) requires local governments receiving loans or guarantees from the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank (NJIB) to establish programs ensuring military- or veteran-owned businesses (or their spouses) can compete for contracts supplying materials and services on infrastructure projects. It expands existing NJIB requirements - currently mandating programs for minority hiring and socially/economically disadvantaged contractors - to specifically include military/veteran-owned businesses. The key provision adds this new category to the affirmative action programs local governments must adopt for NJIB-funded projects. It does not set a specific contract percentage for these businesses, unlike the 10% requirement for disadvantaged businesses. The bill directly affects local governments and contractors working on NJIB-funded infrastructure projects.

Topics ✓ Transportation ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 24, 2026

S 3670: Allows municipality to use school bus video footage to ticket driver for illegally passing school bus.

S 3670 allows New Jersey municipalities to use school bus video footage to issue tickets for illegally passing school buses. Law enforcement must review the footage within 90 days to determine if a violation occurred and issue a $100 ticket for a first offense (or $250 for repeat offenses), with footage deleted within 60 days after fines are paid or 3 days if no ticket is issued. Vehicle owners and operators are jointly liable for fines, though lessors can avoid responsibility by providing the lessee's details to the court. The bill specifies that school bus video footage is not a public record and cannot be used in most legal proceedings outside of this specific traffic enforcement context.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit Traffic Safety

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

A 3834: Establishes temporary sales tax exemption for small businesses impacted by ongoing public highway projects.

This bill would temporarily exempt small retail businesses in areas affected by highway construction from paying state sales tax during active projects. To qualify, businesses must have 50 or fewer full-time employees, be independently owned, and operate within an "impacted construction zone" where highway work blocks traffic or access. Businesses must apply to the state tax director for approval, which would issue a certificate specifying eligible locations and the exemption period matching the project's duration (from start to completion). The exemption applies only to sales at the business during the construction phase, not to other tax obligations.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

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

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

A 3906: Establishes State purchasing preference for pervious pavement material; provides CBT tax credit to certain taxpayers that purchase pervious pavement material for municipal, county, or State construction or improvement projects.

This bill (A 3906) requires New Jersey state agencies to apply a price discount (up to 5%) to bids for asphalt or concrete when using pervious pavement materials on public construction projects. It directs the Department of Environmental Protection to create a stormwater management hierarchy ranking materials by their ability to reduce runoff and filter contaminants. Taxpayers purchasing pervious pavement for municipal, county, or state projects can claim a credit against certain taxes. The bill directly affects state agencies, contractors working on public projects, and businesses selling these materials, aiming to promote environmentally beneficial paving through procurement incentives and tax relief.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Procurement Tax Credits Water Quality Roads & Highways

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

A 3409: Requires certain warehouse operators to implement air pollution reduction and mitigation plans.

This bill requires large warehouse operators (over 100,000 sq ft with >50,000 sq ft of operations) to implement air pollution reduction plans starting 36 months after enactment. Operators must earn points during a 12-month compliance period through specific actions like purchasing zero-emission trucks, installing solar power, or funding air filtration near schools. The standard plan uses a traffic-based point system, while a custom plan allows tailored approaches with detailed emission reduction targets. The Department of Environmental Protection will develop the program and approved plans, with a phased point requirement increasing over time.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Solar Air Quality

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

A 1703: Establishes permanent daylight saving time in NJ.

This bill (A 1703) declares New Jersey's intent to adopt permanent daylight saving time *if federal law permits states to do so*. It directly affects all New Jersey residents and businesses by proposing to eliminate the biannual time changes (currently observed from April to November). The bill amends state statutes to prepare for year-round daylight saving time, referencing studies on potential safety benefits like reduced traffic crashes and heart attack risks. However, it does not change current time laws - it only sets the framework for future implementation should Congress authorize states to observe daylight saving time year-round. The bill remains pending federal action and is currently in committee.

Topics ✓ Transportation

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

A 2973: Requires NJT to operate off-peak direct rail service to Manhattan on Raritan Valley Line.

This bill requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to provide direct rail service from the Raritan Valley Line (RVL) to Manhattan during off-peak hours at a level equal to or greater than the service offered during fiscal year 2018. It directly affects RVL commuters traveling to Manhattan during non-peak times, ensuring reliable, transfer-free access without reduced service. The key provision establishes 2018 as a baseline standard for service frequency, mandating NJT maintain or improve upon that level. The bill is currently pending in the Assembly Transportation Committee and has not yet been enacted.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Rail

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

A 2505: Creates "New Jersey Grid Modernization Task Force" in Governor's office.

This bill creates the "New Jersey Grid Modernization Task Force" within the Governor's Office to develop a comprehensive plan for updating the state's electric grid. The task force, made up of state agency leaders, utility representatives, industry experts, and public members, will address grid upgrades needed due to rising electric vehicle adoption, residential solar installations, and electric heating systems. It must submit its master plan - including recommendations for maintaining funding for the Transportation Trust Fund - to the Governor and Legislature within one year, after which the task force will expire. The plan aims to prepare the grid for future energy demands while examining how electric vehicle growth affects transportation funding.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Electric Grid Electric Vehicles Solar Electric Vehicles Transportation Funding

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

A 2372: Eliminates five percent down payment requirement for bond ordinances approved by counties and municipalities.

This bill removes a requirement that counties and municipalities set aside at least 5% of bond funds as a down payment before adopting bond ordinances for capital projects. It directly affects local governments seeking to issue bonds for infrastructure, parks, or other capital improvements. The key change eliminates the need for local units to appropriate or secure this down payment from existing budgets, emergency funds, or prior contributions. This frees up immediate funding flexibility for local governments, allowing them to redirect resources toward other priorities without the 5% down payment hurdle.

Topics ✓ Transportation

All transportation bills