ASSEMBLY TRANSPORTATION AND INDEPENDENT AUTHORITIES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 4934

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  December 8, 2022

      The Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 4934.

      As amended and reported, this bill establishes the Mobility and Transportation Innovation Program in the Department of Transportation and appropriates $10 million from the General Fund to support the program.

      Specifically, the Mobility and Transportation Innovation Program would provide grants to local government units and transit agencies to fund public transportation projects that utilize innovative technologies and strategies to enhance passenger mobility, increase access to public transportation among disadvantaged communities, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

      Under the bill, program grants could be used to support the provision of new transportation services, the expansion of existing transportation services, or the matching requirements for an otherwise eligible project that receives federal funding. However, to qualify for a program grant, the transportation project undertaken by the local government unit or transit agency would be required to: (1) enable low-income persons, including persons without access to smartphone technology, to access any transportation services made available through the project; (2) include accessibility features to accommodate the mobility needs of persons with disabilities; (3) utilize innovative technologies or strategies that have already demonstrated success in similar transportation projects; and (4) meet any other eligibility criteria established by the department.

      Under the bill, local government units and transit agencies may submit applications to the Commissioner of Transportation. At a minimum, the application would be required to describe the transportation project, including the total anticipated project costs, all other sources of funding, and the requested grant amount, and demonstrate that the project qualifies for the program. Thereafter, the commissioner would award grants, on a competitive basis, in such amounts as the commissioner deems appropriate.

      The bill also requires the department to submit a written report detailing the operations of the program within one year of the enactment of this bill. At a minimum, the report would describe each project for which a program grant was awarded, specify the amount of each grant award, and assess the performance of the program.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

     The committee amendments decrease the amount of the appropriation from the General Fund from $20 million to $10 million and amend the synopsis to reflect this change.