Transportation (Roads & Highways) in New Jersey

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

AJR 129: Establishes task force on cannabis related traffic fatalities.

AJR 129 creates a 21-member task force to study cannabis-related traffic fatalities in New Jersey. The task force includes state agency heads (like the Attorney General and Transportation Commissioner), law enforcement representatives (such as police unions), traffic safety experts, and public members with relevant experience. It will examine how cannabis use affects driving safety, analyze crash statistics before and after cannabis legalization, assess public awareness, and evaluate prevention strategies. The task force must make recommendations - including proposing a new public awareness campaign - to reduce cannabis-impaired driving and improve road safety for all users. This resolution is procedural and will activate once cannabis legalization or decriminalization legislation is enacted.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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

A 553: Repeals law providing that violation of rear seat belt law be treated as secondary offense; establishes certain reporting requirements; requires AG to issue report.

This bill changes New Jersey's seat belt law by making it a primary offense for rear seat passengers to not wear seat belts, meaning police can now stop and ticket drivers solely for this violation (instead of only when stopping for another reason). It repeals current law that treated rear seat belt non-compliance as a secondary offense. The bill also requires all state and local police departments to submit detailed reports one year after implementation, tracking traffic stops related to rear seat belt violations, including reasons for stops, citations issued, searches, and arrests. The Attorney General must then analyze this data against prior years' information to assess impacts on law enforcement practices and report findings to the governor and legislature within six months. Additionally, the state must include this information in its federal Highway Safety Plan, detailing effects on crash injuries and fatalities.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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

A 1635: Establishes EDA grant program to support increased business expenses incurred by certain businesses impacted by certain public highway projects; appropriates $1 million.

This bill creates a $1 million grant program administered by New Jersey's Economic Development Authority (EDA) to reimburse small retail businesses for increased costs caused by public highway projects. It directly affects small retail businesses (with 50 or fewer employees) operating within areas blocked by highway construction, covering expenses like lost sales during the project period. Businesses must apply for reimbursement based on documented increased costs compared to pre-project levels, with applications reviewed as funds allow. The program is funded by a one-time $1 million appropriation from the state General Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Roads & Highways

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

A 3730: Requires DOT to erect and maintain certain electric vehicle charging station signs.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) to install and maintain standardized highway exit signs directing drivers to electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. It specifically applies to drivers using EVs on Interstates and limited-access highways, as defined in the law. The signs must follow federal and state design standards outlined in the "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices." The law takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles Roads & Highways

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 1, 2026

A 3968: Establishes fully autonomous vehicle pilot program.*

This bill creates a five-year pilot program to test fully autonomous vehicles in New Jersey, requiring companies and institutions (called "autonomous vehicle testers") to obtain approval from the Motor Vehicle Commission before operating these vehicles. Participants must register vehicles, carry at least $5 million in liability insurance, and ensure operators are licensed, sober, and capable of taking manual control at any time. A task force of safety officials, industry experts, and consumer advocates will oversee the program, address safety concerns like collisions or cyberattacks, and provide quarterly reports. Testing will occur in controlled facilities and designated public road sections, with strict safety protocols to protect the public while allowing evaluation of autonomous technology.

Topics ✓ Technology ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Autonomous Vehicles Roads & Highways

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

passed · New Jersey · General Assembly Jun 30, 2026

A 2403: Directs BPU to adopt rules and regulations incentivizing solar energy generation in roadside rights-of-way.*

This bill establishes a pilot program allowing solar energy projects on state and local government-owned roadside rights-of-way (land adjacent to roads, 30-100 feet from the road centerline) in New Jersey. Projects must not exceed 10 megawatts individually, with a total program cap of 200 megawatts, and must avoid disrupting traffic, safety, or road maintenance. The Board of Public Utilities, with input from the Transportation Commissioner, will review applications based on criteria like safety monitoring, environmental impact, and project size, requiring permits before construction. The pilot runs for 36 months, with possible two 12-month extensions (max 50 megawatts increase per extension) to evaluate outcomes.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Solar Roads & Highways

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Mar 2, 2026

S 3708: Provides 50 percent sales and use tax exemption for certain businesses in impacted municipalities during ongoing public highway project.

This bill provides a 50% exemption from New Jersey's sales and use tax for qualifying retail businesses operating in municipalities affected by ongoing public highway projects. It directly affects small businesses with a fixed location (such as shops or charter boat services) located in areas where highway construction, repair, or maintenance is underway. Businesses must apply to the Division of Taxation for approval, and the exemption applies only during the "relief period" - the time between a project's start and completion. The exemption automatically ends when the highway project concludes, as notified by the Commissioner of Transportation to the Tax Division.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives Roads & Highways

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

A 1574: "Drew's Law"; establishes 15 miles per hour speed limit in or near certain public parks.

This bill (A 1574, "Drew's Law") establishes a 15 miles per hour speed limit on roads passing through or directly adjacent to public parks during specific times: when the park is open, children are visible from the roadway, or children are entering/exiting park events. It directly affects drivers in these areas and applies to state-owned parks (defined as parks, recreation facilities, or playgrounds under state control), while allowing counties or municipalities to adopt similar limits for their local parks. Violating this speed limit increases fines from $50-$200 to $100-$400 under current law. The bill aims to improve safety near parks following a tragic incident involving a child, but focuses solely on the policy change without advocating outcomes.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

All transportation bills