LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE
[First Reprint]
SENATE, No. 3976
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
220th LEGISLATURE
DATED: JULY 5, 2023
SUMMARY
Synopsis: Establishes Mobility and Transportation Innovation Pilot Program in
DOT; appropriates $2 million.
Type of Impact: State expenditure increase from the General Fund; local revenue
increase.
Agencies Affected: Department of Transportation; local government units and transit
agencies in Mercer County.
Office of Legislative Services Estimate
Fiscal Impact Time Limited Duration of Pilot Program
State Expenditure Increase Up to $2 million
Local Revenue Increase Up to $2 million
 The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) concludes that the bill may result in a State cost
increase of up to $2 million in the first year the bill is in effect. If the full $2 million is not
expended in the first year, the residual amount will be spent in subsequent fiscal years until the
full $2 million is exhausted.
 The State expenditure increase would lead to a concurrent revenue increase for local
government units within Mercer County associated with grant monies received under the
Mobility and Transportation Innovation Pilot Program.
BILL DESCRIPTION
This bill establishes the Mobility and Transportation Innovation Pilot Program in the
Department of Transportation and appropriates $2 million from the General Fund to support the
program.
Specifically, the program provides grants to local government units and transit agencies to fund
public transportation projects within Mercer County that utilize innovative technologies and
Office of Legislative Services Legislative Budget and Finance Office
State House Annex Phone (609) 847-3105
P.O. Box 068 Fax (609) 777-2442
Trenton, New Jersey 08625 www.njleg.state.nj.us
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strategies to enhance passenger mobility, increase access to public transportation among
disadvantaged communities, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Under the bill, the program grants may be used to support the provision of new transportation
services, the expansion of existing transportation services, or the matching requirements for an
otherwise eligible project that receives federal funding. However, to qualify for a program grant,
the transportation project undertaken by the local government unit or transit agency is required to:
(1) enable low-income persons, including persons without access to smartphone technology, to
access any transportation services made available through the project; (2) include accessibility
features to accommodate the mobility needs of persons with disabilities; (3) utilize innovative
technologies or strategies that have already demonstrated success in similar transportation projects;
and (4) meet any other eligibility criteria established by the department.
Under the bill, local government units and transit agencies may submit applications to the
Commissioner of Transportation. At a minimum, the application is required to describe the
transportation project, including the total anticipated project costs, all other sources of funding,
and the requested grant amount. The application should also demonstrate that the project qualifies
for the program. Thereafter, the commissioner is to award grants, on a competitive basis, in such
amounts as the commissioner deems appropriate.
The bill also requires the department to submit a written report detailing operations of the
program within one year of the bill’s effective date. At a minimum, the report is required to
describe each project for which a program grant was awarded, specify the amount of each grant
award, and assess the performance of the program.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
None received.
OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES
The OLS concludes that the bill may result in a State cost increase of up to $2 million in the
first year the bill is in effect. If the full $2 million is not expended in the first year, the residual
amount will be spent in subsequent fiscal years until the full $2 million is exhausted.
The State expenditure increase would lead to a concurrent revenue increase for local
government units within Mercer County associated with grant monies received under the Mobility
and Transportation Innovation Pilot Program.
Section: Authorities, Utilities, Transportation and Communications
Analyst: Michael D. Walker
Assistant 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.).