Sponsored by:
Senator PATRICK J. DIEGNAN, JR.
District 18 (Middlesex)
Senator RAJ MUKHERJI
District 32 (Hudson)
Co-Sponsored by:
Senators Holzapfel and Tiver
SYNOPSIS
Changes certain Mobility and Transportation Innovation Pilot Program requirements; appropriates $20 million.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning the Mobility and Transportation Innovation Pilot Program, amending P.L.2023, c.184, and making an appropriation.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 1 of P.L.2023, c.184 (C.27:1D-10) is amended to read as follows:
1. As used in P.L.2023, c.184 (C.27:1D-10 et seq.):
"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Transportation.
"Department" means the Department of Transportation.
"Innovative technology" means advanced transit technologies which improve the efficiency, reliability, sustainability, and accessibility of the transportation system, including advanced on-demand transportation and shared-use mobility services.
"Local government unit" means a county, municipality, or joint meeting, including any commission, authority, board, agency, or any other similar entity thereof.
"Program" means the Mobility and Transportation Innovation Pilot Program established pursuant to section 2 of P.L.2023, c.184 (C.27:1D-11).
"Public transportation project" means the same as that term is defined in section 3 of P.L.1984, c.73 (C.27:1B-3).
"Transit agency" means any organization or entity, including for-profit businesses, non-profit organizations and independent authorities, that provides public transportation service.
(cf: P.L.2023, c.184, s.1)
2. Section 2 of P.L.2023, c.184 (C.27:1D-11) is amended to read as follows:
2. a. There is established in the department the Mobility and Transportation Innovation Pilot Program to award grants to local government units and transit agencies to fund public transportation projects [within Mercer County] that utilize innovative technologies and strategies to enhance passenger mobility, increase access to public transportation among disadvantaged communities, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
b. A local government unit or transit agency may use a program grant 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. To qualify for a program grant, the transportation project undertaken by the local government unit or transit agency shall:
(1) enable low-income persons, including persons without access to smartphone technology or a credit card, to access any transportation services made available through the project;
(2) include accessibility features to accommodate the mobility needs of persons with disabilities, including wheelchair-accessible vehicles and an accessible mobile application, as applicable;
(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.
c. Any local government unit or transit agency may submit an application to the commissioner for a program grant, provided that the application shall be submitted in a form and manner prescribed by the commissioner. In addition to any other information that the commissioner may deem appropriate, the application shall require the applicant to submit information:
(1) describing the transportation project, including the total anticipated costs of the project, all other sources of project funding, and the requested grant amount; and
(2) demonstrating that the transportation project meets the eligibility criteria for the program.
d. The commissioner shall approve applications for the program on a competitive basis, subject to the availability of funds. The commissioner may award grants to approved applicants in such amounts as the commissioner deems appropriate. When approving applications for the program, the commissioner shall consider the degree to which the proposed transportation projects:
(1) improve transit system performance;
(2) remove barriers to mobility, especially for travelers with disabilities and those without a personal vehicle;
(3) improve mobility in disadvantaged communities, such as low-income areas and areas lacking existing public transportation;
(4) accelerate deployment of advanced transit technologies, including shared-use mobility services;
(5) deliver economic benefits through enhanced mobility;
(6) improve safety by reducing roadway collisions; and
(7) improve environmental sustainability, particularly by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
e. Within one year of the effective date of P.L.2023, c.184 (C.27:1D-10 et seq.), the department shall submit a written report to the Governor and to the Legislature, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), detailing the operations of the program. At a minimum, the report shall describe each project for which a program grant was awarded, specify the amount of each grant award, and assess the performance of the program.
(cf: P.L.2023, c.184, s.2)
3. There is appropriated $20,000,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Transportation to support the Mobility and Transportation Innovation Pilot Program established pursuant to section 2 of P.L.2023, c.184 (C.27:1D-11).
4. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill amends current law that established the Mobility and Transportation Innovation Pilot Program (program) to expand the programs ability to award grants to local government units and transit agencies to fund public transportation projects throughout the State. Under current law, the program is only authorized to award grants to local government units and transit agencies to fund transportation projects within Mercer County.
The bill also establishes additional criteria for the Commissioner of Transportation (commissioner) to consider when approving applications for the program. Specifically, the commissioner is required to consider the degree to which the proposed transportation projects: (1) improve transit system performance; (2) remove barri