LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 4740

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

 

DATED: SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

 

 

SUMMARY

 

Synopsis:

"Safe Commercial Routes Act - Commercial Driver Human Trafficking Awareness Training"; requires applicants for commercial driver licenses and drivers renewing commercial driver licenses to complete human trafficking awareness training. 

Type of Impact:

Annual increase in State expenditures.

Agencies Affected:

New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.

 

 

Office of Legislative Services Estimate

Fiscal Impact

Annual

 

State Expenditure Increase

Indeterminate

 

 

·         The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) concludes that the bill may result in an indeterminate increase in State expenditures incurred by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to develop and administer a human trafficking awareness training requirement for persons either applying for or renewing a commercial driver license.

 

·         The OLS anticipates that the commission would likely incur one-time costs to develop or approve the required curriculum, consult with the Commission on Human Trafficking and outside stakeholders, and issue a report three years after the bill’s effective date.  Additionally, the commission may incur recurring administrative costs to maintain the training materials and approved-provider list, review the course at least every two years, and continue to monitor compliance as required by the bill.

 

·         The magnitude of these costs cannot be determined because the bill permits the commission to use materials developed by nationally-recognized organizations, partner with private sector stakeholders, and allow the training to be provided through commercial driver license schools and employer-administered training programs.  These provisions may reduce the commission’s costs to implement the provisions of the bill.

BILL DESCRIPTION

 

      This bill requires individuals applying for a commercial driver license and individuals renewing the license to complete a training course on recognizing and reporting suspected human trafficking activities.

      Specifically, the bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, in consultation with the Commission on Human Trafficking, to develop and approve a training course on recognizing and reporting suspected human trafficking activities for any individual applying for a commercial driver license.  Two years after the bill’s effective date, the training course requirement will also apply to an individual renewing the individual’s commercial driver license.

      Under the bill, the training course is to be no longer than 30 minutes and may be completed through various methods, as outlined in the bill.  The training course may include or be based on materials developed by nationally-recognized organizations with demonstrated experience providing anti-human trafficking course offerings to drivers of commercial motor vehicles.  The bill requires the commission to review the course at least once every two years, maintain a list of approved training providers, and make free training materials available on the commission’s Internet website.  The bill authorizes the commission to partner with private sector stakeholders to facilitate the delivery of the training course. 

      The bill also requires verifiable completion of the training course to be submitted electronically to the commission prior to the issuance of a commercial driver license in addition to any other licensure requirements or, when applicable, prior to the issuance of a renewal of the license.  Completion of the training course is required before a commercial driver license can be issued.  However, the bill clarifies that completion of the training course is not to affect an applicant’s ability to schedule appointments, submit an application, and take required examinations. 

      In addition, the bill provides that an individual who has completed the training course and reports, in good faith, suspected human trafficking activity is not to be held civilly or criminally liable for any such report.  Finally, the bill requires the chief administrator to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature three years after the bill’s effective date and authorizes the commission to develop and make available resource materials, such as wallet cards or digital resources, with certain information included for individuals who are applying for or who have a commercial driver license. 

 

 

FISCAL ANALYSIS

 

EXECUTIVE BRANCH

 

      None received. 

 

OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES

 

      The OLS concludes that the bill may result in an indeterminate increase in State expenditures incurred by the commission to develop and administer a human trafficking awareness training requirement for persons applying for or renewing a commercial driver license.  The increased costs would depend on implementation decisions made by the commission for the training and the electronic verification requirements outlined in the bill. 

      The OLS anticipates that the commission would likely incur one-time costs to develop or approve the required curriculum, consult with the Commission on Human Trafficking and outside stakeholders, and issue a report to the Governor and Legislature three years after the bill’s effective date.  Additionally, the commission may incur recurring administrative costs to maintain the training materials and approved-provider list, review the course at least every two years, and continue to monitor compliance as required by the bill. 

      The magnitude of these costs cannot be determined because the bill permits the commission to use materials developed by nationally-recognized organizations, partner with private sector stakeholders, and allow the training to be provided through commercial driver license schools and employer-administered training programs.  These provisions may reduce the commission’s costs to implement the provisions of the bill. 

 

 

Section:

Authorities, Utilities, Transportation and Communications

Analyst:

Michael D. Walker Jr.

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.).