Transportation in New Jersey

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 762: Establishes pilot program in which certain selected school districts equip school buses with global positioning systems and DOE develops school bus tracking application.

S 762 establishes a four-year pilot program requiring selected New Jersey school districts (those owning their own bus fleets) to equip all school buses with real-time GPS tracking systems. The Department of Education will develop a mobile app allowing authorized parents or guardians to track their child's bus location and speed via their smartphone. The program mandates regional selection (at least one district per northern, central, and southern region) and requires GPS systems to transmit data to the app during all student transport. This bill directly affects participating school districts, students, and parents through new tracking capabilities.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 344: Clarifies crime of highway and public passage obstruction and increases penalties.

This bill clarifies and increases penalties for obstructing highways or public passages in New Jersey. It separates reckless obstruction (now a disorderly persons offense, punishable by up to 6 months in jail or $1,000 fine) from purposeful obstruction that affects commerce (now a fourth-degree crime, punishable by up to 18 months in jail or $10,000 fine). The bill also specifies that gathering to hear speech or communicate does not alone constitute obstruction, and makes it a violation to refuse a reasonable official order to move from a public passage. It directly affects individuals who block roads or public areas, whether alone or in groups, and updates existing penalties from current petty disorderly offense standards.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Corrections Roads & Highways

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1112: Requires school buses that transport students with special needs to be equipped with certain safety features.

This bill requires all New Jersey school buses transporting students with special needs to install three safety features: interior video cameras to monitor student safety, real-time GPS tracking for location/speed, and two-way communication equipment (like cell phones). It directly affects school bus operators and students with special needs by mandating these safety technologies. The bill specifies that collected video footage and GPS data are not considered government records, and it directs the State Board of Education and Motor Vehicle Commission to create rules for installing, using, and retaining this data. Implementation is scheduled for six months after enactment.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation Public Transit

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2339: Requires certain high-traffic facilities to obtain permit from DEP and annually implement measures to reduce air pollution caused by facility.

This bill requires large warehouses, distribution centers, and ports generating 50+ daily truck trips to obtain a permit from New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and annually implement pollution-reduction measures. It specifically targets facilities in overburdened communities (defined by existing law) with 50,000+ square feet of business space, or all facilities with 100,000+ square feet, mandating shorter permit terms (3 years) for those in overburdened areas. The DEP must establish a program within one year to achieve zero emissions from these facilities by 2050, requiring annual compliance demonstrations and permit fees before operations begin or continue. Facilities must prove they can meet pollution reduction goals to secure or renew permits, with enforcement starting after the bill's effective date.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Air Quality

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1070: Requires video camera on certain school buses with crossing control arms.

S 1070 requires all new or used school buses purchased after enactment to have video cameras installed near their crossing control arms (stop arms). This affects school districts, nonpublic schools, and school bus contractors who must comply with the camera requirement within 37 months. The cameras must be approved by the Motor Vehicle Commission and are intended to help enforce laws against vehicles passing stopped school buses while children are boarding or exiting. Schools must also report to the Commissioner of Education within 37 months which buses have these cameras installed.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Public Transit

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SCR 50: Proposes constitutional amendment to dedicate revenues from additional registration fee for zero emission vehicles to State transportation system.

SCR 50 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would require any additional registration fee imposed on zero-emission vehicles (like electric cars) to be dedicated exclusively to New Jersey's transportation system starting July 1, 2025. It does not create the fee itself but mandates that if such a fee is implemented, all revenue from it must be deposited into the Transportation Trust Fund for transportation projects (e.g., roads, bridges, transit). The amendment ensures these funds cannot be used for any other purpose, such as general state spending. This applies only to fees on zero-emission vehicles, not standard registration fees for all vehicles.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Electric Vehicles Transportation Funding Vehicle Registration

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2305: Requires vehicle manufacturers to provide real-time access to motor vehicle data to vehicle owners and representatives.

This bill requires vehicle manufacturers to provide owners and their authorized representatives (like mechanics) with real-time, free access to vehicle data such as speed, location, crash information, and brake performance. Owners can request this data in a machine-readable format without fees, decryption requirements, or needing manufacturer-provided tools. It directly affects vehicle owners seeking to access their own vehicle data for repairs, personal use, or safety verification. The law mandates that manufacturers share this data as collected by the vehicle's systems, excluding audio/video recordings.

Topics ✓ Technology ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1195: Requires school buses transporting students with special needs to be equipped with certain safety features.

This bill requires all school buses transporting students with special needs in New Jersey to install two safety features: (1) an electronic seat belt alert system that audibly and visually notifies drivers if any seat belt is unfastened during motion, and (2) unique barcodes on the bus interior/exterior that drivers scan after trips to confirm no students were left behind. It directly affects school bus operators and drivers serving special needs students. The Commissioner of Education will develop implementation rules with the Motor Vehicle Commission, and the law takes effect six months after enactment. The bill aims to prevent accidents and ensure student safety during transportation.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics School Transportation Public Transit Traffic Safety

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 1216: Requires DOT to prioritize green stormwater infrastructure in design, construction, reconstruction, and repair of public highways.

This bill requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) to prioritize green stormwater infrastructure - such as pervious pavement, bio-retention basins, and grass swales - in the design, construction, reconstruction, and repair of public highways funded by the Special Transportation Fund. It mandates DOT to establish a program that uses these methods to reduce stormwater runoff by treating water through vegetation or soil, where practical. The law applies specifically to highway projects using funds from the designated transportation budget and takes effect immediately. It does not change funding levels but directs how existing funds must be allocated for stormwater management.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Water Quality Roads & Highways

in committee · New Jersey · Senate Jan 13, 2026

S 2366: Sets vehicle miles traveled reduction targets; establishes "Vehicle Miles Traveled Advisory Commission."

This bill sets statewide targets to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by 2035 (10% per capita, 3% statewide) and 2050 (20% per capita, 8.5% statewide) compared to 2019 levels. It creates the "Vehicle Miles Traveled Advisory Commission," composed of state agency leaders and public members with expertise in transportation, active mobility, and smart growth planning. The commission will track progress, review state plans, and submit annual reports with policy recommendations to the Governor and Legislature. The bill directly affects state agencies responsible for transportation, environmental protection, and community planning, aiming to reduce emissions and transportation costs - particularly for lower-income households - through more compact development and active transportation infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

All transportation bills