LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 745

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

221st LEGISLATURE

 

DATED: OCTOBER 10, 2025

 

 

SUMMARY

 

Synopsis:

Requires DOT and DLPS to implement weigh-in-motion monitoring program. 

Type of Impact:

Annual State expenditure and revenue increases.

Agencies Affected:

Department of Transportation; Department of Law and Public Safety.

 

 

Office of Legislative Services Estimate

Fiscal Impact

Annual

 

State Expenditure Increase

Indeterminate

 

State Revenue Increase

Indeterminate

 

 

 

 

·       The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) estimates that this bill will result in indeterminate annual State expenditure increases for the Department of Transportation and the Department of Law and Public Safety to establish a weigh-in-motion monitoring program.  Additionally, the OLS anticipates that this bill will result in indeterminate annual State revenue increases attributable to the collection of administrative fees and fine collections. 

·       The Department of Transportation will incur capital and operational costs to install weigh-in-motion monitoring systems that include a scale, cameras, and cabling.  Additionally, the department will experience annual increases in expenditures to complete structural inspections and maintenance to these systems as well as completion of the reporting requirements outlined in the bill.

·       The Department of Law and Public Safety will incur increased administration costs related to fine enforcement, processing, and reporting. 

·       The OLS is unable to quantify the annual revenue generated from fine collections because the volume of violations cannot be known at this time.  Notably, non-payment of fines and contested violations could reduce the revenues realized and increase administrative costs.

BILL DESCRIPTION

 

      This bill requires the Department of Transportation, in coordination with the Department of Law and Public Safety, to establish a weigh-in-motion monitoring program that will be funded through monies appropriated for the Annual Transportation Capital Program.  The program is required to include the placement and use of systems to monitor vehicle weight as vehicles approach certain bridges.  The departments are to determine locations for the systems in accordance with certain factors outlined in the bill.  

      Each system is required to include a scale, at least one camera to capture vehicle information, signage to indicate modified speed limits as needed, and other equipment as either of the departments finds necessary.  Each system is also required to be capable of automatically sending notifications upon detection of certain violations to the applicable department.  Among other provisions, the bill also requires the departments to prepare and publish annual reports.

 

 

FISCAL ANALYSIS

 

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

 

      None received. 

 

OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES

 

      The OLS estimates that this bill will result in indeterminate annual State expenditure increases for the Department of Transportation and the Department of Law and Public Safety to establish a weigh-in-motion monitoring program.  Additionally, the OLS anticipates that this bill will result in indeterminate annual State revenue increases attributable to the collection of administrative fees and fine collections. 

      The Department of Transportation will incur capital and operational costs to install systems that include a scale, cameras, and cabling.  The OLS is unable to quantify the cost to the department for installation of weigh-in-motion monitoring systems because it remains unknown how many systems will be installed, the location of the systems, and the per unit cost for each system.  The department will experience annual increases in expenditures to complete structural inspections and maintenance to these systems as well as completion of the reporting requirements as outlined in the bill.  

      The Department of Law and Public Safety will incur increased administration costs related to fine enforcement, processing, and reporting. 

      Although the bill will likely result in an increase in the number of violations for vehicles exceeding the gross vehicle weight limits on certain bridges, the OLS is unable to quantify the annual revenue generated from these violations because the increase in violations recorded cannot be known at this time.  Notably, non-payment of fines and contested violations could reduce the revenues realized and increase administrative costs. 

 

 

Section:

Authorities, Utilities, Transportation and Communications

Analyst:

Michael D. Walker

Associate Fiscal Analyst

Approved:

Thomas Koenig

Legislative Budget and Finance Officer

This legislative fiscal estimate has been produced by the Office of Legislative Services due to the failure of the Executive Branch to respond to our request for a fiscal note.

 

This fiscal estimate has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67 (C.52:13B-6 et seq.).