Transportation in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2961: Prohibits tourist helicopter operations in New Jersey.

S 2961 prohibits tourist helicopter operations providing sightseeing tours in specific areas like the Hudson River, Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island from operating at all licensed New Jersey aviation facilities (airports, heliports, helistops). The bill requires the Commissioner of Transportation to enforce this ban, directly affecting commercial helicopter tour operators. Exemptions include federal/military flights and helicopters providing emergency medical transportation. The law takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Topics ✗ Transportation

Sub-Topics Airports

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 The resolution highlights that outdated FAA infrastructure and nationwide staffing gaps (with only 22 certified controllers at Philadelphia TRACON) are causing flight delays and cancellations, while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

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 1207: Requires municipalities to designate parking spaces for disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients.

This bill requires New Jersey municipalities to reserve at least one parking space near city hall or other main municipal buildings exclusively for vehicles displaying disabled veteran or Purple Heart recipient license plates or placards. It directly affects disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients by ensuring accessible parking near government buildings, building on existing exemptions for parking meter fees. The key provision mandates municipalities to designate these spaces, with the Motor Vehicle Commission already issuing the required license plates and placards. The law would take effect immediately but remain inactive for six months after enactment to allow time for compliance.

Topics ✓ Transportation ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1805: "Motor Vehicle Insurance Verification Act"; requires Motor Vehicle Commission to establish online motor vehicle insurance verification system.

New Jersey's S 1805, the "Motor Vehicle Insurance Verification Act," requires the Motor Vehicle Commission to create a statewide online system for verifying car insurance coverage. This system replaces all existing verification methods and mandates that insurance companies provide policy data to the Commission. Law enforcement officers will use the system during traffic stops to check if vehicles have required insurance, and the Commission can suspend registration for uninsured vehicles until proof of insurance is provided. The bill directly affects insurers (who must share data), law enforcement, and vehicle owners (who may face registration issues without insurance).

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 509: Requires dealership to notify buyers of recalls on used motor vehicles for sale.

This bill requires retail used car dealers in New Jersey to check for open safety recalls on vehicles before selling them to consumers. Dealers must verify recall status using the vehicle’s identification number (VIN) via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database and inform buyers if any unresolved recalls exist. If the NHTSA database shows no recalls after a dealer checks it, the law presumes the dealer had no knowledge of existing recalls - though this doesn’t absolve dealers of responsibility for NHTSA database errors. The rule applies only to retail sales (not wholesale or junkyard transactions) and aims to ensure buyers are aware of potential safety issues before purchasing a used vehicle.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2044: Requires SJTA to suspend certain tolls on the Atlantic City Expressway in certain circumstances.

This bill (S 2044) requires the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) to automatically stop collecting tolls on the Atlantic City Expressway east of the Garden State Parkway whenever U.S. Route 40 is closed east of that point. It directly affects motorists traveling to and from Atlantic City who would otherwise face tolls when U.S. Route 40 - the primary alternative route - is closed due to flooding or other disruptions. The key provision mandates an automatic toll suspension under these specific closure conditions, eliminating the need for manual action by the SJTA. The goal is to provide a cost-free travel option during Route 40 closures, avoiding toll payments for drivers without efficient alternatives.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1896: Requires local government units to provide opportunities for military- or veteran-owned businesses to supply materials and services for projects receiving funding from NJ Infrastructure Bank.

This bill requires local government units receiving loans or guarantees from the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank to create programs helping military- or veteran-owned businesses compete for contracts. It adds this requirement to existing rules that already mandate programs for minority workers and socially disadvantaged contractors. The law directs the Infrastructure Bank to adopt rules ensuring at least 10% of contract funds support small businesses owned by disadvantaged individuals (with federal project requirements adjusted per federal law). It directly affects local governments managing infrastructure projects funded by the bank and military/veteran-owned businesses seeking contract opportunities. The change supplements current contracting policies without altering other existing requirements.

Topics ✓ Transportation ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Veteran Employment

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2103: Prohibits transport of certain items by motor vehicle on certain roadways; provides standards for loading of motor vehicle with certain items.

This bill prohibits vehicles from carrying unsecured loads that could dislodge and fall onto roads, specifically targeting items like furniture, mattresses, or similar materials that pose a danger if they fall. It requires such loads to be secured with straps, ratchets, or elastic cords and covered with tarps, and bans operation on New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA), South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA), or Department of Transportation (DOT) roads with speed limits of 50 mph or higher. Violations carry fines up to $750 for improper loading and up to $1,000 or 10 days in jail if items dislodge and fall on restricted roads. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission must establish safety standards for securing loads on commercial flatbed trucks and passenger vehicles temporarily used for such transport.

Topics ✓ Transportation

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1963: Requires child care center vehicles to be equipped with alarm system prompting driver to inspect vehicle for children left unattended in vehicle.

This bill requires all vehicles used to transport children to and from licensed child care centers (excluding private passenger cars) to have an approved alarm system that prompts drivers to check for children before exiting. It directly affects child care centers and their transportation providers by mandating this safety feature to prevent children from being left unattended in vehicles. The Department of Children and Families must establish safety standards for these alarms and approve compliant systems, working with the Motor Vehicle Commission. The requirement takes effect six months after the bill is enacted.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Tags Children

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