Transportation in New Jersey

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 928: "New Jersey Impact Fee Act"; concerns municipal authority to impose impact fee for development of real property.

This bill establishes a standardized framework for New Jersey municipalities to impose impact fees on developers for new construction projects. It requires fees to be calculated using localized data (like traffic, school enrollment, and construction costs) and mandates that collected revenue funds only new infrastructure directly tied to the development, such as roads, schools, or utilities. Municipalities must follow phased, multi-year increases for fee hikes (with public hearings for large increases) and cannot use fees for maintenance, existing debt, or retroactive projects. The law directly affects local governments (which set fees) and developers (who pay them), creating clear rules for this long-standing revenue tool.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

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

A 4155: Permits municipality to establish restricted parking spaces for certain volunteer firefighters.

This bill (A4155) allows New Jersey municipalities to establish restricted parking spaces for volunteer firefighters without needing approval from the state transportation commissioner. It amends traffic laws (R.S. 39:4-8) to permit local governments to directly create these spaces, provided they follow standard traffic control guidelines and safety requirements. The policy directly affects volunteer firefighters (who need quick access to stations during emergencies) and municipal governments managing local streets. Municipal engineers must certify that these parking designs meet safety standards before implementation.

Topics ✓ Transportation

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

A 2704: Consolidates certain transportation entities and transfers powers and duties of such entities to DOT.

This bill consolidates three New Jersey transportation authorities - the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, South Jersey Transportation Authority, and New Jersey Transit Corporation - into the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT). It requires NJDOT to assume all powers, assets, debts, and responsibilities of these entities on a specified "Transfer Date," ending their separate existence. Employees of the consolidated entities transfer to NJDOT with retained benefits, pensions, and collective bargaining rights, while creditors and contractors can enforce existing claims against NJDOT as the successor. The bill prohibits NJDOT from issuing new bonds under the former authorities’ names and updates legal references to reflect the consolidation. This structural change aims to streamline transportation oversight and operations under a single agency.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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 1836: Requires green building standards and impact studies for carbon, traffic, storm water, and schools for certain affordable housing development.

This bill requires developers of new affordable housing projects (10+ units or 4+ stories) to meet LEED Silver or equivalent green building standards. It also mandates that these developers submit four impact studies to local municipalities before construction: traffic, school, storm water, and carbon (if clearing over one acre of land). The requirements apply to "inclusionary developments" as defined under existing law and do not affect projects with applications submitted before the bill's effective date. The bill directs the Commissioner of Community Affairs to adopt implementing rules within eight months of enactment.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Building Codes Property Development

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

A 819: Criminalizes interference with monitoring devices on school buses.

This bill makes it a crime to intentionally tamper with cameras or monitoring devices installed on school buses. It specifically prohibits altering, destroying, concealing, removing, or disabling these devices - including the recording media they use. Violating this law would be a fourth-degree crime, punishable by up to 18 months in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both. The bill directly affects anyone who interferes with these safety devices, which are used to monitor bus operations and passenger safety. The legislation is currently pending before the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit

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

A 2409: Requires all revenue generated by casino hotel parking fee to be provided to CRDA; expands permitted uses of parking fee revenues by CRDA.

This bill redirects all revenue from Atlantic City casino hotel parking fees (currently $3.00 per day) to the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) instead of splitting it between the CRDA and the Casino Revenue Fund. It expands CRDA’s permitted uses of these funds to support infrastructure, traffic improvements, public safety, and economic development projects *within* Atlantic City. The change affects casino hotels (required to collect the fee), CRDA (which gains full access to parking revenue), and Atlantic City residents (who benefit from funded projects). The bill does not alter the $3.00 fee amount but ensures all proceeds directly support city development efforts under CRDA’s oversight.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 9, 2026

S 3435: Permits persons who are hearing impaired to apply for vehicle identification placards.

This bill allows New Jersey residents with hearing impairments - identified by a specific code on their driver's license - to apply for a free windshield placard displaying the international symbol of the deaf. The placard must be displayed as directed by the Motor Vehicle Commission and cannot be used to access disability parking spaces, which require a separate placard under existing law. Drivers using the placard properly cannot be cited or fined for violating parking laws. The measure ensures clear identification for hearing-impaired drivers without altering existing disability parking eligibility.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

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

A 2131: Concerns training curriculum for certain NJT motorbus operators.

This bill requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to create and implement a mandatory training program for all motorbus regular route service operators (including contracted drivers). The training must cover four key areas: basic disability types (physical, sensory, intellectual, developmental), safe passenger assistance techniques, emergency procedures for passengers with disabilities, and resources from disability organizations. NJT must seek input from disability organizations before adopting or updating the curriculum and post the full curriculum online for public access. The policy directly affects NJT bus operators and aims to improve service for passengers with disabilities.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit Tags People with Disabilities

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