SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2834

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 12, 2026

      The Senate Commerce Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 2834.

This bill revises the requirements concerning licensure for elevator, escalator, and moving walkway mechanic's licenses, including provisions regarding out-of-State reciprocity.

      Current law provides that the Elevator, Escalator, and Moving Walkway Mechanics Licensing Board may in its discretion grant licenses without examination to applicants so licensed by other states; provided that equal reciprocity is provided for New Jersey licensed mechanics by the law of the applicant's domiciliary state and that the domiciliary state's standards are equal to or comparable to those of New Jersey.

      This bill removes the requirement of equal reciprocity, thereby allowing the board to grant licenses without examination to applicants with comparable licenses in other states, provided that the domiciliary state's standards are equal to or comparable to those of this State, even if the domiciliary state does not provide reciprocity to New Jersey licensees, or that the domiciliary state’s apprenticeship program is registered by the United States Department of Labor.

      The bill further stipulates that an individual who obtains a license through reciprocity and seeks renewal of the license is to complete the continuing education requirements in New Jersey to qualify for renewal. Additionally, the bill expands the types of certification that may be completed to qualify an individual to obtain a license through the board.  Lastly, the bill establishes that an individual who obtains an elevator, escalator, and moving walkway mechanic license on the basis of successfully completing the joint apprentice and training committee of the elevator industry of Local 3, IBEW, EE division training program is to be issued a limited license that prohibits the person from engaging in the construction of elevators, escalators or moving walkways within the State.

      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.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to establish that an individual who obtains an elevator, escalator, and moving walkway mechanic license on the basis of successfully completing the joint apprentice and training committee of the elevator industry of Local 3, IBEW, EE division training program is to be issued a limited license that prohibits the person from engaging in the construction of elevators, escalators or moving walkways within the State.