ASSEMBLY TRANSPORTATION AND INDEPENDENT AUTHORITIES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 5231

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 23, 2023

      The Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 5231.

      As amended and reported, this bill requires the Commissioner of Transportation (commissioner) to prioritize the establishment of more park-and-ride lots and facilities near major warehouse facilities.  Under the bill, the commissioner is required to ensure the availability of park-and-ride lots and facilities near major warehouse facilities within the State by undertaking a review of existing park-and-ride lots and facilities and major warehouse facilities.  If, after such review, it is determined that no park-and-ride lot or facility exists which could relieve commuter traffic on local roads connecting the nearest interstate or major transit hubs to a major warehouse facility, the commissioner is required to prioritize the establishment of one or more.  Additionally, the commissioner is required to periodically prepare and submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature that contains the number and location of park-and-ride lots and facilities available near major warehouse facilities and the establishment of new park-and-ride lots and facilities near major warehouse facilities.

      “Major warehouse facility” is defined in the bill as any building, room, structure, or facility of at least 100,000 square feet used primarily for the storage of goods intended for sale.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

      The committee amendments:

· include private transit in the definition of “park-and-ride;”

· remove the requirement that all major warehouse facilities have park-and-ride lots and facilities located nearby;

· require the commissioner to review existing park-and-ride lots and facilities and major warehouse facilities, instead of requiring a review of park-and-ride lots and facilities proximate to major warehouse facilities; and

· requires the commissioner to prioritize the establishment of park-and-ride lots or facilities with the goal of relieving commuter traffic on local roads connecting the nearest interstate or major transit hubs to a major warehouse facility, instead of ensuring their establishment in areas proximate to major warehouse facilities.