Transportation in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1168: Requires NJT to offer discount fares to certain individuals.

S 1168 requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to offer discounted fares for five specific groups: K-12 and college students commuting to school, participants in workforce training programs, individuals receiving Work First New Jersey benefits, and newly employed residents meeting strict criteria (earning minimum wage, working 20+ hours weekly, unemployed 30+ days, and not currently on public assistance). The discounts apply to NJT’s regular bus, rail, and light rail services. The bill takes immediate effect upon passage and defines "workforce training" as unpaid apprenticeships or internships. It does not alter existing fare structures for other riders.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit Rail

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 5, 2026

S 1835: Reallocates fines incurred for violations of "Antwan's Law" to local municipality for pedestrian safety and law enforcement purposes.

This bill redirects fines for speeding violations under "Antwan's Law" in specific Burlington City zones (Route 130) to local municipalities. Currently, these tripled fines go to general municipal funds and county road funds, but this bill requires all such fines to be paid directly into the municipality's treasury. The funds must be used exclusively for pedestrian safety initiatives and law enforcement purposes within the municipality. It affects drivers who speed in the designated Burlington City areas covered by Antwan's Law, which reduces speed limits to 25-35 mph near schools and residential zones following a pedestrian fatality.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Pedestrian Safety Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 655: Requires electric public utilities to submit new tariffs for commercial customers for BPU approval; regulates non-volumetric electricity fees charged to operators of fast charging electric vehicle chargers.

S 655 requires New Jersey electric utilities to submit new tariffs for commercial electric vehicle (EV) charging stations to the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) for approval within 180 days of enactment. It directly affects utilities (who must file tariffs) and commercial EV charger operators (who gain protection from certain fees). The bill mandates tariffs must use alternative rate structures without demand charges, ensure cost equity between commercial and residential rates, remain technology-neutral, and encourage investment in EV charging infrastructure. Utilities cannot charge demand or subscription fees on direct current fast charging facilities for 60 days after enactment without BPU-approved tariffs.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 30, 2026

S 2960: Establishes certain State funding preferences for municipalities that enhance opportunities to develop housing.

This bill (S 2960) creates state funding preferences for New Jersey municipalities that adopt zoning changes to encourage denser residential development. It requires municipalities to review and update their master plans and development regulations to include specific housing strategies - such as allowing accessory dwelling units, reducing parking requirements, permitting multi-unit buildings in commercial zones, or increasing density near transit - before qualifying for preferential treatment. Municipalities that implement these changes will receive priority consideration for state grants and competitive financial assistance programs (like the Main Street New Jersey Program), as determined by the Department of Community Affairs. The bill applies to all municipalities that amend their regulations to increase permitted housing units, with funding preferences taking effect once the bill is enacted.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1730: Requires DOT to consult Department of Agriculture and County Agriculture Development Boards when developing transportation capital project list.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) to consult with the Department of Agriculture and local County Agriculture Development Boards when creating the state's annual transportation capital project list. It mandates DOT to develop a method for incorporating identified agricultural transportation needs - such as road conditions affecting farm access - into its project evaluation systems. The policy directly affects New Jersey's agricultural community by ensuring farming infrastructure needs are considered in transportation planning. This change aims to support farm viability through better-connected infrastructure, without altering existing funding levels or project selection criteria.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Tags Agriculture

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1545: Criminalizes fifth or subsequent drunk driving offenses.

This bill (S 1545) makes a fifth or subsequent drunk driving conviction a criminal offense (third degree) in New Jersey, rather than a traffic violation. It imposes a 10-year driver’s license suspension for repeat offenders, extending to 20 years if the offense occurs near schools (within 1,000 feet of school property, at designated school crossings, or where juveniles are present). Convicted individuals must complete alcohol education programs and pay a $100 fee, with failure to comply risking additional jail time. The bill directly affects individuals with multiple DUI convictions, particularly those driving in school zones.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Corrections Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 90: Excludes passenger and freight rail projects from purposes for which revenue from increase in petroleum products gross receipts tax revenue may be used.

This bill amends New Jersey's transportation funding law to specifically exclude passenger and freight rail projects from using revenue generated by increases in the petroleum products gross receipts tax (established by P.L.2016, c.57). It prevents state funds from this tax source from being allocated to any rail-related transportation projects, including passenger rail service or freight rail service. The change directly affects rail project funding by restricting the use of this specific tax revenue stream. The amendment is part of a broader update to the Special Transportation Fund rules, ensuring rail projects cannot access this particular tax revenue.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Transportation

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Revenue Freight Rail Transportation Funding

in committee · New Jersey · Senate May 11, 2026

S 1677: Establishes fully autonomous vehicle pilot program.*

New Jersey's S 1677 establishes a three-year pilot program enabling autonomous vehicle testers (including manufacturers, universities, and fleet operators) to test self-driving cars on public roads. Testers must register vehicles with the Motor Vehicle Commission, carry $5 million in liability insurance, and ensure licensed operators are seated in the driver's seat monitoring operations. A seven-member task force will oversee safety protocols, handle collision responses, gather public feedback, and coordinate with law enforcement on security guidelines throughout the program.

Topics ✓ Technology ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Autonomous Vehicles

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 510: Requires dealerships to notify buyers of recalls on used motor vehicles for sales; limits attorneys' fees in certain consumer actions.

This bill requires used car dealers to check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website for open recalls using a vehicle’s VIN before selling it. If recalls exist, dealers must inform buyers and provide printed recall details; they cannot sell vehicles with active "stop sale" or "do not drive" orders. The bill also limits attorneys’ fees in consumer lawsuits under the Consumer Fraud Act to either $1,000 or one-third of awarded damages, whichever is lower. It applies to dealers selling used vehicles at retail (excluding wholesale or junkyard sales), directly protecting buyers from purchasing unsafe vehicles and capping legal costs in fraud cases.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1430: Requires DOT to implement highway safety program for increased commercial motor vehicle parking; appropriates up to $50,000,000.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation to create safe parking zones along federal highways specifically for commercial motor vehicles and their drivers. It allocates up to $50 million from federal infrastructure funds (under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) to cover eligible costs for establishing these zones. The DOT must report annually to the Governor and Legislature on program progress, including locations created, safety impacts, and funds spent, until the money is fully used. The policy directly affects truck drivers and commercial vehicle operators by improving roadside parking safety.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Freight Roads & Highways

All transportation bills