Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Committee Votes topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate committee releases package of transportation and related bills
Summary
A Senate committee in Trenton released a set of bills covering Capitol‑area roadway maintenance, historical displays at transit stations, EV sticker rules, DMV identification, driver testing for people with disabilities, a highway memorial, and a NJ Transit customer advocacy office; all measures were approved for release.
A Senate committee in Trenton on Wednesday released a package of bills affecting transportation and related services, including measures on roadway maintenance around the State Capitol, historical displays at transit stations, special electric‑vehicle windshield stickers, and creation of a transit customer‑advocacy office.
The committee clerk read each measure aloud and members moved and seconded release votes; roll calls recorded affirmative votes from Senator Tyver, Senator Hosoffel, Senator Turner (left vote recorded as affirmative), Senator Berzicelli, Vice Chair Mukherjee and Chairman Deigner on each item. Chairman Deigner described the meeting as unusually brief.
Key items released
• SB 32‑34 — Roadway maintenance surrounding the State Capital Complex: The bill would require maintenance of roads around the Capitol. Mayor W. Reed of Trenton testified in support, arguing the state should assume responsibility for streets leading to the capital. The motion to release passed unanimously.
• SB 1‑60 — Historical information at transit facilities: The bill would require New Jersey Transit rail stations and bus/rail terminals to display historical information about surrounding areas. Committee members endorsed the proposal as a way to celebrate state history and released the bill.
• SB 1‑86 — EV windshield stickers: As amended, the bill would require special windshield stickers marking electric vehicles exempt from emissions inspections; amendments removed an exclusion for solar‑powered vehicles from the EV definition and clarified that plug‑in hybrid electric vehicles are not covered. Lynn Nowak (Honda) registered in favor. The amended bill was released.
• SB 4‑97 — Memorial roadway designation: Designates a portion of State Highway 35 in Lawrence Harbor as the James Francisco and Walter Schmidt Memorial Roadway; released without testimony.
• SB 13‑12 — MVC identification rules: Allows emergency medical technician and paramedic certification cards to count as two forms of identification under MVC procedures; released.
• SB 15‑84 — Driver testing and education for persons with disabilities: Changes testing and education requirements to address the needs of people with disabilities; Lynn Nowak, representing the New Jersey Association of Centers for Independent Living, registered support and the bill was released.
• SB 17‑31 — Blue and Gold Star Memorial Highway System: Renames the Blue Star Memorial Highway Council/System to the Blue and Gold Star Memorial Highway Council/System; amendments removed a 90‑day DOT signage update requirement and the bill was released.
• SB 29‑17 — Establish New Jersey Transit Office of Customer Advocacy and related commission: The committee released a bill to create an autonomous customer advocate for transit riders and an associated commission. Vice Chair Mukherjee argued the advocate must be independent of New Jersey Transit; the bill passed out of committee.
What happens next
All measures were released from committee and will move to the next stage of the legislative process for further consideration. Vote tallies on the record reflect unanimous committee support at this meeting.
