Transportation in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2574: Establishes "Uniform Crash Investigation Protocol Task Force" to establish uniform crash investigation protocol for State, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies when investigating certain motor vehicle and vessel crashes.

S 2574 establishes a "Uniform Crash Investigation Protocol Task Force" to create standardized procedures for New Jersey law enforcement agencies investigating motor vehicle or vessel crashes involving fatalities or serious injuries. The task force will develop protocols covering specific scenarios like alcohol/drug involvement, hit-and-runs, or reckless operation (14 listed criteria), incorporating technology like vehicle data recorders and requiring victim-family information sharing via a web portal. Key mechanisms include accountability measures (officer self-assessments, random reviews), transparency provisions, and timeframes aligning with criminal statute of limitations. The protocol must be submitted to the Attorney General within one year of task force formation, affecting all State, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies handling qualifying crashes.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Feb 2, 2026

S 3227: Authorizes municipal assessment of development impact fees following State guidelines and makes an appropriation.

This bill authorizes New Jersey municipalities to charge development impact fees on new construction projects to fund infrastructure improvements. It requires these fees to follow state-established guidelines and directs the funds toward upgrading roads, water systems, sewer facilities, and school infrastructure strained by new development. Developers of new projects will pay these fees, while municipalities will use the revenue to address specific infrastructure needs identified by the state. The bill also includes a funding appropriation to support this fee program.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Appropriations Testing & Assessment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2454: Increases penalties for denying access to public facilities, NJT, and transportation network companies to service dogs and their handlers.

This bill (S 2454) increases penalties for businesses, public facilities, NJ Transit, and ride-sharing companies that deny access to service dogs and their handlers. Currently, first-time violators face civil fines ($250), but this bill makes the first violation a criminal "petty disorderly persons offense" (up to 30 days jail or $500 fine), with repeat offenses becoming more severe (up to 1 year jail for second+ violations). Penalties collected fund law enforcement training on service dog access rights. The bill applies to violations of existing laws covering public accommodations (P.L.1971, c.130), NJ Transit (P.L.2016, c.25), and transportation network companies (P.L.2017, c.26).

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1240: Requires NJT to establish pilot program to provide free rides on rail, light rail, and bus service to individuals eligible for Access Link service.

S 1240 requires New Jersey Transit (NJT) to create a five-year pilot program providing free rides on all NJT rail, light rail, and bus services to people already eligible for NJT’s Access Link paratransit service (for individuals with disabilities). The program automatically enrolls eligible users, includes free rides for their personal assistants, and mandates staff training on accessibility. NJT must submit annual reports tracking ridership, satisfaction, and costs, with years 4-5 requiring analysis on potential permanent adoption. This directly affects approximately 25,000 Access Link users in New Jersey who qualify for the service under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit Rail

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2778: Provides that Palisades Interstate Park Commission is eligible to receive certain funding from New Jersey Infrastructure Bank.

This bill expands eligibility for New Jersey's Transportation Infrastructure Financing Program, allowing the Palisades Interstate Park Commission (PIPC) to apply for state infrastructure funding. Previously, PIPC - responsible for managing parks along the Hudson River border between New Jersey and New York - was excluded from qualifying as a "local government unit" under the program. The bill amends existing law to explicitly include PIPC in the definition of eligible entities for transportation infrastructure projects. This change enables PIPC to access state funds for park-related transportation improvements like road maintenance, parking facilities, or visitor infrastructure. The bill does not create new projects but removes a barrier to existing funding opportunities for the agency.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 28, 2026

S 3218: "School Zone Automated Speed Enforcement and Safety Act."

This bill allows New Jersey municipalities and counties to install automated speed cameras in school zones only after conducting traffic studies showing a documented safety need, such as frequent speeding or accidents. It sets strict technical requirements: cameras must be accurate within ±1 mph, capture two images (including license plates), and include violation dates. Revenue from citations must fund the "School Zone Safety Improvement Fund" for local safety projects, not general budgets. The law explicitly prohibits current photo radar enforcement until these new standards are implemented, directly affecting school zones, local governments, and drivers who speed near schools.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Traffic Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1039: Requires DOT, NJTA, and SJTA to construct suicide prevention barriers at certain bridges or overpasses.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT), New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA), and South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) to build physical barriers on bridges or overpasses deemed high-risk for suicide attempts. Within one year of enactment, each agency must study its bridges to identify those posing significant suicide threats based on height, location, transportation hazards, and past incidents. If barriers are feasible, the agencies must install them; if not, they must implement alternatives like emergency phones, surveillance systems, or crisis hotline access. The law directly affects these transportation agencies and aims to prevent suicide attempts at specific high-risk infrastructure locations.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Mental Health Bridges

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 100: Establishes "Distracted Driver Enforcement and Education Fund."

This bill amends New Jersey's distracted driving law to clarify prohibited uses of wireless devices while driving (except for emergencies or hands-free use), increases fines for violations (especially texting), and creates the "Distracted Driver Enforcement and Education Fund." The fund is financed by 50% of fines collected from distracted driving violations, with the remaining 50% going to the county/municipality where the violation occurred. Money in the fund will be used by the state's Highway Traffic Safety Division to provide grants to local governments for enforcement support and public education campaigns about the dangers of distracted driving. The bill directly affects drivers who violate the law and local governments that can apply for grants to address distracted driving in their communities.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SCR 12: Respectfully urges Congress to appropriate emergency funds for and increase staffing at facilities supporting Newark Liberty International Airport.

SCR 12 is a New Jersey legislative resolution urging Congress to provide emergency funds immediately to modernize air traffic control infrastructure and increase staffing at facilities supporting Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). It directly affects EWR, which serves nearly 50 million passengers annually and has faced repeated system disruptions - including radar outages and controller shortages - since airspace control shifted to Philadelphia TRACON in July 2024. The resolution highlights that outdated FAA infrastructure and nationwide staffing gaps (with only 22 certified controllers at Philadelphia TRACON) are causing flight delays and cancellations, while noting a long-term FAA system upgrade plan announced in May 2025 will take years to implement. New Jersey lawmakers request urgent federal action to address these safety and operational issues.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Airports

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 164: Authorizes creation of "New Jersey Council on Access and Mobility."

S 164 establishes the "New Jersey Council on Access and Mobility" within the Department of Transportation to improve transportation services for people with disabilities and seniors. The council, composed of 17 members including agency heads and six public representatives from disability/senior advocacy groups, must annually study current transportation services, analyze federal funding opportunities, and coordinate efforts across state agencies. Its key duty is to make recommendations to maximize federal funding and enhance service coordination for these groups. The bill directly affects New Jersey residents with disabilities or who are seniors by aiming to streamline and improve their access to transportation. The council must hold its first meeting within 30 days of appointments, with members serving three-year terms.

Topics ✓ Transportation

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