New Jersey's bill A 3535 would allow developers to convert vacant office parks (50,000+ sq ft) and retail centers (15,000+ sq ft) with at least 40% vacancy into mixed-use developments (combining homes, shops, and offices) by temporarily overriding local zoning rules that prohibit such projects. It applies only to properties near transit, within designated planning areas, and not adjacent to hazardous sites or industrial zones. Developers must submit applications within 25 months of the bill's effective date to qualify for this zoning exemption. The bill aims to repurpose underused "stranded assets" without requiring special variances, focusing on properties meeting specific eligibility criteria.
This bill (A4228) requires the New Jersey State to reimburse school districts for the costs of transporting homeless students to school. Currently, the student's district of residence pays these transportation costs, but this bill shifts that responsibility to the state. It amends existing laws (P.L.1989, c.290 and P.L.2015, c.228) to specify that the State must reimburse districts for transportation provided to homeless students. The change directly affects all school districts in New Jersey that transport homeless students, ensuring they are financially supported for this cost.
This bill (A 1530) requires railroad operators of "dangerous hazardous trains" (those carrying 200,000+ gallons of petroleum or 20,000+ gallons of specific hazardous substances like anhydrous ammonia) to maintain a minimum of two crew members and clearly display the railroad company name. Exceptions apply for mechanical assistance, tourist trains, yard moves, or small operations with ≤15 employees operating at ≤15 mph. It directly affects railroad companies transporting large volumes of hazardous materials, aiming to improve safety through crew staffing and identification. The bill was withdrawn on January 13, 2026, as it was approved as P.L.2025, c.300.
This bill prohibits modifying motor vehicle mufflers or exhaust systems to make them louder than the original factory installation. It directly affects vehicle owners and mechanics who install or modify exhaust systems to amplify sound. The key change increases penalties for violations from a $25 fine under current law to a maximum $500 fine or 30 days in jail. The law requires exhaust systems to maintain the noise level of the original equipment, with no exceptions for aftermarket modifications. The bill is pending before the Assembly Transportation Committee and has not yet become law.
New Jersey's A 180 prohibits the state from charging drivers based on miles traveled. It defines a "mileage-based user fee" as any charge calculated by vehicle miles driven during a set period. The bill also bans state funding for any related programs, studies, or pilot projects. This law takes effect immediately.
This is a non-binding resolution (not a law) urging New Jersey restaurants that accept mobile orders to add pop-up warnings reminding customers not to place orders while driving. It directly affects restaurants in New Jersey using mobile ordering platforms, asking them to implement simple safety features during the ordering process. The resolution cites data showing distracted driving - including mobile ordering - contributes to 42 highway fatalities in New Jersey during 2021 and 3,142 nationwide deaths in 2020. It does not impose penalties but encourages voluntary adoption of safety measures to reduce distracted driving risks.
This bill expands New Jersey's Traumatic Brain Injury Fund to cover transportation costs for eligible individuals attending support group meetings. It directly affects residents of New Jersey with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) who need transportation to access these meetings - defined as gatherings where individuals share information and support each other's well-being. The fund, currently financed by a $0.50 motor vehicle registration surcharge, will now include this transportation as a covered expense alongside existing medical and treatment-related travel. This change builds on the fund's existing role of providing financial assistance for post-acute care when other resources are unavailable.
This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) to prioritize green stormwater infrastructure - such as permeable pavement, rain gardens, and vegetated swales - in the design, construction, and repair of state highways funded by the Special Transportation Fund. It directly affects DOT projects on public highways, mandating they use methods that reduce stormwater runoff by treating it through soil or vegetation instead of traditional drainage. The DOT must establish a program to implement this prioritization "to the extent practicable," as determined by the Commissioner. The bill takes immediate effect and defines green infrastructure broadly to include practices that store, reuse, or treat stormwater naturally.
This bill establishes an independent School Transportation Safety Commission within New Jersey's Department of Law and Public Safety. The commission, composed of eight members including three state agency directors (ex-officio) and five public appointees by the Governor, must review school bus safety regulations, prepare biannual safety reports using transportation data, and track implementation of past safety recommendations. The commission can request information from state and local agencies to fulfill its duties. It takes effect 90 days after enactment.
This bill establishes rules for on-demand micro transit programs in New Jersey, which are app- or phone-based shared rides using vehicles. It directly affects New Jersey Transit, county transit agencies, and other operators by requiring drivers to be public employees or contractors who hire existing drivers at equivalent wages/benefits (no independent contractors), and mandating that services expand into transit deserts without replacing existing routes. Key provisions include ensuring accessibility for people with disabilities, providing non-smartphone access options, and requiring monthly data reporting on costs, ridership, and wait times. The New Jersey Transit Corporation must publish this data quarterly, and violations will trigger wage law penalties.
