Transportation in New Jersey

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

A 274: Increases fines for failing to have required markings on commercial vehicles.

This bill increases penalties for commercial vehicle owners who fail to display required markings. It mandates that commercial vehicles conspicuously show the owner's name and principal business municipality in at least three-inch-high text. The fine structure changes from $10 per violation to $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second, and $1,000 for third or subsequent offenses. Proceeds from these fines will fund state road repairs, as specified in the amended statute. The bill directly affects commercial vehicle operators and owners who do not comply with the marking requirements.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

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

A 3605: Supplemental appropriation of $1 million from General Fund to DHS for Larc Norcross School Special Needs Adult Program transportation.

This bill appropriates $1 million from the General Fund to the Department of Human Services (DHS) specifically for transportation costs associated with the Larc Norcross School Special Needs Adult Program. The program serves adults over age 21 with disabilities who have transitioned out of school-based services, providing daily care, therapy, and social activities. The funding addresses a gap where Medicaid transportation coverage is insufficient, ensuring participants have reliable access to these services. The appropriation is a supplemental addition to the existing fiscal year 2026 budget (P.L.2025, c.74), effective immediately.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Medicaid

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

A 703: Requires law enforcement officers to issue preliminary suspension of driver's license for certain drunk driving offenses.

This New Jersey bill requires police to immediately suspend a driver's license (or out-of-state driving privilege) when arresting someone for certain drunk driving offenses, including driving while intoxicated, refusing a breath test, or, for drivers under 21, operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.01% to 0.08%. Officers must confiscate the license (unless issued by another state), forward documents to the Motor Vehicle Commission, and notify the driver of their right to request a hearing within 10 days. The hearing, held within 10 days by an administrative judge, determines if the initial arrest was justified before the suspension continues pending court proceedings. The temporary suspension period counts toward any final license penalty imposed by a court after conviction.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Courts Judges Law Enforcement Driver Licensing

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

A 3916: 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 establishes a $20 million annual financing program through New Jersey's Infrastructure Bank to help school districts replace diesel school buses with electric ones and install charging infrastructure. It directs the Infrastructure Bank to provide loans and financial assistance to school districts, prioritizing those in "overburdened communities" as defined by state law. School districts must complete energy assessments comparing costs and environmental benefits of electric buses before receiving funding. The program uses existing societal benefits charge revenues, federal funds, and loan repayments to sustain the initiative without requiring new state taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Energy ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles

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

A 1615: Makes supplemental appropriation of $3.5 million to provide additional State school aid to Freehold Regional School District.

This bill provides $3.5 million in supplemental state funding specifically to the Freehold Regional School District to maintain its courtesy busing transportation services. The district had planned to eliminate these services (which serve about 30% of students living under 2.5 miles from school) due to prior state aid reductions totaling approximately $20 million since 2019. The funding prevents the loss of this essential service, which students rely on because of hazardous walking conditions and lack of sidewalks in the district. This direct aid supports over 10,000 students across eight communities who currently benefit from the transportation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Appropriations School Transportation

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

A 2824: Provides for immediate driver's license suspension under certain circumstances.

This bill requires immediate driver's license suspension notices for drivers who cause a death through specific traffic violations: speeding over 20 mph (R.S.39:4-98), reckless driving (R.S.39:4-50), drunk driving (R.S.39:4-96), or hit-and-run (R.S.39:4-129). It mandates that the director issue a notice within 10 days, allowing the driver to request a hearing to contest the suspension before it takes effect. The suspension remains in place pending a final hearing, which must occur within 45 days of a preliminary hearing. This directly affects drivers convicted of these specific fatal traffic offenses in New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

died · New Jersey · General Assembly Mar 9, 2026

A 132: Requires school bus personnel members working with students with disabilities to call 911 emergency line in potential life-threatening emergencies; requires school buses transporting students with disabilities to be equipped with certain safety features.

This bill requires school bus drivers, aides, and other personnel transporting students with disabilities to complete specialized training. The training covers behavior management, communication, adaptive equipment use, recognizing life-threatening emergencies (as defined in the bill), and safety procedures. Employers (school districts or contractors) must provide this training annually and require staff to certify completion within five business days. The bill does not mandate 911 calls or specific bus safety features, but focuses on personnel preparedness through training and certification. It is pending before the Assembly Education Committee.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics School Transportation Professional Licensing Public Transit

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3400: Directs EDA to establish New Jersey Energy Independence Bank.

This bill establishes the New Jersey Energy Independence Bank as an independent subsidiary of the Economic Development Authority (EDA), renaming the existing New Jersey Green Bank (created in 2024). It directs the bank to provide financing, loan guarantees, and other financial support for eligible environmental projects - including renewable energy facilities, energy efficiency upgrades, and electric vehicle infrastructure - primarily targeting municipalities, small businesses, and commercial entities (not direct residential lending). The bank must operate with a separate board of directors (with majority independence from the EDA) and maintain distinct financial records to ensure operational independence. The measure aims to leverage public funds to attract private investment in clean energy projects across New Jersey.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Electric Vehicles

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

A 1474: Establishes pilot program in Division of Taxation to provide income tax credits for the opening of certain homesteads to hunting activities in areas with high number of wildlife incidents.

This bill establishes a 5-year pilot program offering New Jersey tax credits to homeowners who open their primary residences (with at least 10 acres of land suitable for hunting) to lawful hunting activities. Taxpayers receive $1,500 for the first 10 acres plus $200 per additional acre opened, provided the property is in an area with high wildlife incidents like road fatalities or property damage. Eligible homes must not have existing public access restrictions, and participants must allow hunting at least two days weekly during hunting seasons. The program prioritizes properties in high-incident zones and requires annual reporting of hunting activity and outcomes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Income Tax Roads & Highways

in committee · New Jersey · General Assembly Feb 12, 2026

A 4041: Establishes "Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling Task Force" to study ways to safely store, reuse, recycle, and dispose of used electric vehicle batteries.

New Jersey's Assembly Bill A4041 establishes a 11-member "Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling Task Force" within the Department of Environmental Protection. The task force will study safe methods for storing, reusing, recycling, and disposing of used EV batteries, including analyzing current recycling facilities, international policies, and second-life battery applications. It must develop recommendations for state legislation, programs, and infrastructure by a two-year deadline, holding public hearings across the state. The bill directly affects EV manufacturers, battery recyclers, state environmental agencies, and future EV battery management policies.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Energy Storage Recycling Electric Vehicles

All transportation bills