The bill establishes the South Jersey Transportation Authority, which will take over the responsibilities of the New Jersey Expressway Authority and the Atlantic County Transportation Authority. This new authority is designed to improve the coordination of transportation systems in southern New Jersey, with a particular emphasis on the highway system, aviation facilities, and addressing transportation challenges in Atlantic County. The authority will handle the acquisition, construction, maintenance, and operation of expressway and transportation projects, as well as related economic development facilities. Importantly, the bill ensures that the authority's activities will not interfere with funding from the Transportation Trust Fund Authority or the operations of public transportation services provided by the New Jersey Transit Corporation.

The governance structure of the authority is outlined in the bill, which includes the Commissioner of Transportation as an ex officio voting member, the Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority as a nonvoting member, and eight members appointed by the Governor, who must have relevant expertise and include residents from South Jersey. The bill specifies the quorum requirements, terms of service, and the process for filling vacancies. It also allows for the potential dissolution of the authority under certain conditions, ensuring that all assets revert to the State upon dissolution. The act is set to take effect immediately upon approval, with a specified date of June 30, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 27:25A-2, 27:25A-3, 27:25A-5
Advance Law: 27:25A-2, 27:25A-3, 27:25A-5
Pamphlet Law: 27:25A-2, 27:25A-3, 27:25A-5