This bill (A 3688) expands school transportation eligibility for nonpublic school students in New Jersey. It requires school districts to provide transportation or a $675 annual reimbursement (adjusted for inflation) to students attending nonpublic schools located **within the same county** as their residence, regardless of distance. This replaces the previous rule that limited coverage to schools within 20 miles. The bill repeals outdated language (P.L.1999, c.350) that mandated the 20-mile restriction. It directly affects parents/guardians of nonpublic school students in districts providing transportation for public school students living more than 2 miles (elementary) or 2.5 miles (secondary) from school.
This bill repeals a 2.5% surtax known as the "Corporate Transit Fee" that applied to corporations with New Jersey taxable income exceeding $10 million during tax periods starting in 2024-2028. It directly affects large corporations paying the Corporate Business Tax (CBT) in New Jersey, eliminating their requirement to pay this additional fee for future tax periods. The fee, which generated revenue for NJ Transit operations and capital projects starting in 2026, is now removed from law. The repeal takes effect immediately upon enactment, applying to all tax periods beginning after the bill’s passage.
S 3284 creates the New Jersey Transportation Consolidation Task Force to study merging five state transportation agencies: New Jersey Transit, the Transportation Trust Fund Authority, the Turnpike Authority, the South Jersey Transportation Authority, and the Department of Transportation. The task force, composed of seven appointed members with transportation and finance expertise, must analyze potential cost savings, operational efficiencies, and legal/financial impacts of consolidation within 12 months. It will produce a detailed report including specific savings analysis, best practices from other states, and a proposed plan for a single new independent transportation agency. The report will guide future legislative action but does not implement consolidation itself.
This bill requires the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) to develop and publish accessibility standards for a pedestrian overpass bridge connecting the Johnson Trolley Trail at its intersection with Interstate 295 in Mercer County. It mandates that project sponsors submit bridge designs to NJDOT for review (within 90 days) to ensure compliance with these standards before construction begins. NJDOT would then assume responsibility for the bridge's long-term maintenance and operations after construction. The bill explicitly states NJDOT is neither required to build the bridge nor maintain other sections of the Johnson Trolley Trail corridor.
New Jersey Senate Bill S3430 (S 3430) expands the responsibilities of the Office of School Bus Safety to enhance student transportation safety. The bill requires the office to verify school bus driver training certifications, maintain a list of contractors barred from bidding on transportation contracts, and coordinate with the Motor Vehicle Commission to share safety data. It mandates annual reports to the legislature detailing safety recommendations, enforcement actions, and progress on past safety improvements. These changes directly affect school districts, transportation contractors, and state agencies overseeing school bus operations.
New Jersey's bill A 3535 would allow developers to convert vacant office parks (50,000+ sq ft) and retail centers (15,000+ sq ft) with at least 40% vacancy into mixed-use developments (combining homes, shops, and offices) by temporarily overriding local zoning rules that prohibit such projects. It applies only to properties near transit, within designated planning areas, and not adjacent to hazardous sites or industrial zones. Developers must submit applications within 25 months of the bill's effective date to qualify for this zoning exemption. The bill aims to repurpose underused "stranded assets" without requiring special variances, focusing on properties meeting specific eligibility criteria.
This bill (A4228) requires the New Jersey State to reimburse school districts for the costs of transporting homeless students to school. Currently, the student's district of residence pays these transportation costs, but this bill shifts that responsibility to the state. It amends existing laws (P.L.1989, c.290 and P.L.2015, c.228) to specify that the State must reimburse districts for transportation provided to homeless students. The change directly affects all school districts in New Jersey that transport homeless students, ensuring they are financially supported for this cost.
This bill (A 1530) requires railroad operators of "dangerous hazardous trains" (those carrying 200,000+ gallons of petroleum or 20,000+ gallons of specific hazardous substances like anhydrous ammonia) to maintain a minimum of two crew members and clearly display the railroad company name. Exceptions apply for mechanical assistance, tourist trains, yard moves, or small operations with ≤15 employees operating at ≤15 mph. It directly affects railroad companies transporting large volumes of hazardous materials, aiming to improve safety through crew staffing and identification. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was approved as P.L.2025, c.300.
This bill prohibits modifying motor vehicle mufflers or exhaust systems to make them louder than the original factory installation. It directly affects vehicle owners and mechanics who install or modify exhaust systems to amplify sound. The key change increases penalties for violations from a $25 fine under current law to a maximum $500 fine or 30 days in jail. The law requires exhaust systems to maintain the noise level of the original equipment, with no exceptions for aftermarket modifications. The bill is pending before the Assembly Transportation Committee and has not yet become law.
New Jersey's A 180 prohibits the state from charging drivers based on miles traveled. It defines a "mileage-based user fee" as any charge calculated by vehicle miles driven during a set period. The bill also bans state funding for any related programs, studies, or pilot projects. This law takes effect immediately.
