Transportation in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1549: Allows persons diagnosed with autism to voluntarily enter medical information in MVC database and make notation on driver's licenses, permits, and non-driver identification cards.

This bill allows individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder to voluntarily report their diagnosis to New Jersey's Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). They can add a special notation to their driver's license, permit, or ID card by submitting the information online, by mail, or when applying for a license. The notation is kept confidential - exclusively for use by law enforcement during traffic stops to help officers communicate effectively - and cannot be accessed by the public or other agencies. The program mirrors an existing system for diabetes notations but applies specifically to autism diagnoses.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 624: Directs NJ Infrastructure Bank to establish financing program for electric school buses; allocates $20 million annually in societal benefits charge revenues to NJ Infrastructure Bank for purposes of program.

This bill creates a program through New Jersey's Infrastructure Bank to help school districts replace diesel school buses with electric ones. It allocates $20 million annually from state "societal benefits charge" revenues to fund loans and financial assistance for purchasing electric buses and charging infrastructure. School districts must complete energy assessments comparing costs and environmental benefits of electric vs. diesel buses, with priority given to districts in communities disproportionately affected by pollution. The program requires school districts to repay loans using operational savings from electric buses, and the Infrastructure Bank must submit an annual project priority list to the legislature.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Procurement Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 159: Requires NJT to expand or modify routes and hours of certain transportation services and to solicit input from individuals diagnosed with autism.

S 159 requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to expand or modify bus, paratransit, and rail service routes and hours within one year to better accommodate the mobility needs of people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Before making these changes, NJT must directly solicit input from autistic individuals and their advocates. The bill also mandates that NJT seek annual feedback from this group to assess whether current services meet their needs and whether further adjustments are needed. This law directly affects NJT's service planning and requires ongoing collaboration with the autism community.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit Rail

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 72: Prohibits NJT from making major alterations to rail yards located near certain environmentally sensitive areas.

This bill prohibits New Jersey Transit (NJT) from making major rail yard changes - like adding tracks or building fuel facilities - near environmentally sensitive areas without special approval. It specifically restricts projects in coastal zones, areas draining into Barnegat Bay Estuary, or within 1,000 feet of wetlands, tidal waters, or freshwater wetlands. NJT must first obtain all required environmental permits and get written authorization from the Governor after consulting the Environmental Protection Department and EPA. The rule applies to rail yard projects submitted for permits after March 31, 2022.

Topics ✓ Environment ✗ Transportation

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Rail

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 183: Requires DOT and DLPS to implement weigh-in-motion monitoring program.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) and Division of Law and Public Safety (DLPS) to establish a weigh-in-motion monitoring program. It directly affects commercial truck drivers and freight carriers operating on state roads, replacing manual roadside inspections with automated sensors that measure vehicle weight while vehicles are moving. Key provisions include mandating certified monitoring systems, creating a defense for drivers traveling between pickup points to scales (using system data), and allowing weight redistribution adjustments for minor violations. The program would change enforcement by enabling real-time weight checks without stopping vehicles, pending legislative approval.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Freight

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 762: Establishes pilot program in which certain selected school districts equip school buses with global positioning systems and DOE develops school bus tracking application.

S 762 establishes a four-year pilot program requiring selected New Jersey school districts (those owning their own bus fleets) to equip all school buses with real-time GPS tracking systems. The Department of Education will develop a mobile app allowing authorized parents or guardians to track their child's bus location and speed via their smartphone. The program mandates regional selection (at least one district per northern, central, and southern region) and requires GPS systems to transmit data to the app during all student transport. This bill directly affects participating school districts, students, and parents through new tracking capabilities.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 344: Clarifies crime of highway and public passage obstruction and increases penalties.

This bill clarifies and increases penalties for obstructing highways or public passages in New Jersey. It separates reckless obstruction (now a disorderly persons offense, punishable by up to 6 months in jail or $1,000 fine) from purposeful obstruction that affects commerce (now a fourth-degree crime, punishable by up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fine). The bill also specifies that gathering to hear speech or communicate does not alone constitute obstruction, and makes it a violation to refuse a reasonable official order to move from a public passage. It directly affects individuals who block roads or public areas, whether alone or in groups, and updates existing penalties from current petty disorderly offense standards.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Corrections Roads & Highways

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 398: Reduces helicopter operations at certain aviation facilities licensed by State.

This bill requires New Jersey's Commissioner of Transportation to create rules reducing helicopter noise at state-licensed airports, heliports, and helistops. It mandates a 47% reduction in helicopter departures (excluding emergency medical, military, news, and hospital flights) compared to the prior 12-month average. Additionally, it bans tourist/sightseeing helicopters from operating between 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. on weekdays and 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. on weekends at licensed facilities. These rules directly affect helicopter operators at state-licensed facilities, with exemptions for essential services like emergency response.

Topics ✗ Transportation

Sub-Topics Airports

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1112: Requires school buses that transport students with special needs to be equipped with certain safety features.

This bill requires all New Jersey school buses transporting students with special needs to install three safety features: interior video cameras to monitor student safety, real-time GPS tracking for location/speed, and two-way communication equipment (like cell phones). It directly affects school bus operators and students with special needs by mandating these safety technologies. The bill specifies that collected video footage and GPS data are not considered government records, and it directs the State Board of Education and Motor Vehicle Commission to create rules for installing, using, and retaining this data. Implementation is scheduled for six months after enactment.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation Public Transit

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2339: Requires certain high-traffic facilities to obtain permit from DEP and annually implement measures to reduce air pollution caused by facility.

This bill requires large warehouses, distribution centers, and ports generating 50+ daily truck trips to obtain a permit from New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and annually implement pollution-reduction measures. It specifically targets facilities in overburdened communities (defined by existing law) with 50,000+ square feet of business space, or all facilities with 100,000+ square feet, mandating shorter permit terms (3 years) for those in overburdened areas. The DEP must establish a program within one year to achieve zero emissions from these facilities by 2050, requiring annual compliance demonstrations and permit fees before operations begin or continue. Facilities must prove they can meet pollution reduction goals to secure or renew permits, with enforcement starting after the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Air Quality

All transportation bills