SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 164

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  OCTOBER 1, 2026

      The Senate Transportation Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 164.

      As reported, this bill establishes the New Jersey Council on Access and Mobility (council).  The council is to consist of 17 members as outlined in the bill, including 11 ex-officio members and six public members.  The public members of the council are required to have demonstrated expertise in the coordination of transportation services or independent living services for persons with disabilities or senior citizens and be representatives of certain organizations, as outlined in the bill.

      The council is required to meet, no less than annually, to:  (1) study the transportation services provided to persons with disabilities and senior citizens by the New Jersey Transit Corporation, State departments and agencies, counties, or municipalities; (2) analyze all available federal funding programs that may be used for mobility management of, and to provide transportation services to, persons with disabilities and senior citizens, and the ability of the State to qualify for those funds; (3) inventory certain existing State and federal transportation funding sources to study ways to improve transportation services and programs; (4) coordinate the provision of transportation services across all agencies that have an interest in the mobility of persons with disabilities and senior citizens; (5) make recommendations for legislative or executive action to maximize the State’s acquisition of federal funding and the coordination of transportation services for persons with disabilities and senior citizens; and (6) coordinate activities with the federal Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.