S 685 New Jersey Senate · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Establishes "Fleet Conversion Task Force" in DEP.

S 685 creates a 15-member "Fleet Conversion Task Force" within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to study the transition of commercial vehicle fleets (like delivery trucks and company vehicles) to zero-emission models. The task force will examine challenges such as costs for small businesses, coordinate with stakeholders including fleet operators, manufacturers, and environmental groups, and develop policy recommendations to support this shift. It directly affects commercial fleet owners, operators, and related industries by seeking solutions to reduce transportation emissions, which account for 38% of New Jersey's total greenhouse gases. The task force must hold public hearings, gather input from diverse sectors, and submit findings to the state within a set timeframe.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

General Assembly Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Feb 24, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Reprint · 10 edits

MAJOR

The Senate Environment and Energy Committee significantly expanded the scope of the Fleet Conversion Task Force bill, broadening its mandate beyond zero-emission conversion to include near-zero-emission technologies, operational efficiencies, and resilience strategies. The report deadline was shortened from two years to 18 months, the task force was given an ongoing advisory role during that period, and new requirements were added for subcommittees and a recommendation on whether to convert into a permanent advisory council.

Scope change

The bill's scope was substantially broadened from a narrow focus on zero-emission vehicle conversion to a wider mandate covering near-zero-emission technologies, operational efficiencies, resilience strategies, and fleet modernization generally. The task force also gained an ongoing advisory role during its term and the ability to create subcommittees, making it more of a standing policy body rather than a one-time study group.

SCOPE

The task force's purpose was broadened from studying conversion to zero-emission vehicles to also include modernizing fleets through near-zero-emission technologies, other emission-reducing technologies, operational efficiencies, and resilience strategies, aligned with the state's greenhouse gas reduction goals rather than specifically transportation sector emissions policies.

A new legislative finding (7) was added stating that effective fleet policy must account for operational readiness, service continuity, total cost of ownership, workforce impacts, and diversity of duty cycles across public and private fleets.

A new subsection (j) allows the task force to establish subcommittees to examine specific issues including fleet operations, infrastructure readiness, workforce and training needs, fiscal impacts, and regional or sector-specific considerations.

TIMELINE

The deadline for the task force to report its findings was shortened from two years to 18 months following the initial organizational meeting.

The expiration clause now includes the qualifier 'unless otherwise provided by law, rule, or regulation,' which could allow the task force to continue beyond its 30-day post-report dissolution if other legal authority supports it.

REQUIREMENT

The task force is now required to serve in an advisory capacity to the Governor and Legislature on fleet modernization, transition, and implementation during its 18-month term.

The task force's report must now include a recommendation on whether to extend its term or convert it into a permanent fleet advisory council.

The task force's study mandate was expanded to include impacts on fleet reliability, mission readiness, service continuity, total cost of ownership, and workforce and training requirements for fleet operators.

ELIGIBILITY

The requirement for the automotive OEM representative was tightened from general 'experience in zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles' to 'direct experience with fleet deployment or fleet operation in zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.'

TECHNICAL

Language was added clarifying that nothing in the bill limits or directs the independent advisory role of the task force.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 24, 2026

Committee

Received in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by the Senate (27-11)

upper

Jan 13, 2026

Introduced

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors