Sponsored by:
Senator VIN GOPAL
District 11 (Monmouth)
Senator VINCENT J. POLISTINA
District 2 (Atlantic)
SYNOPSIS
Requires establishment of grant programs to provide workforce shuttles and cover transportation costs; appropriates $10 million in federal funds.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning transportation grants, supplementing Title 27 of the Revised Statutes, and making an appropriation.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. As used in P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill):
Department means the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
Grant program means the Workforce Shuttle Grant Program established pursuant to section 2 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
Local government unit means a municipality, county, or an agency, authority, or other entity thereof.
Nonprofit organization means a nonprofit organization which provides services throughout the State and is tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. s.501(c)(3)), and is not a private foundation as defined in section 509(a) of the federal Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. s.509(a)).
Program means the temporary program to provide grants to small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and temporary help service firms pursuant to section 4 of P.L. , c. (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
Small business means a business that has its principal place of business in this State and employs fewer than 50 full-time employees as of the date that the business submits an application to the department pursuant to subsection c. of section 4 of P.L. , c. (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
Temporary help service firm means any person or entity who operates a business which consists of employing individuals directly or indirectly for the purpose of assigning the employed individuals to assist the firm's customers in the handling of the customers' temporary, excess or special workloads, and who, in addition to the payment of wages or salaries to the employed individuals, pays federal social security taxes and State and federal unemployment insurance; carries workers compensation insurance as required by State law; and sustains responsibility for the actions of the employed individuals while they render services to the firm's customers. A temporary help service firm is required to comply with the provisions of P.L.1960, c. 39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.).
Transportation costs means all expenses incurred by a small business, nonprofit organization, or temporary help service firm related to the provision of transportation services to any employees of the small business, nonprofit organization, or temporary help service firm which expenses may include, but shall not be limited to, any costs associated with the transportation of full-time, part-time, or temporary employees to and from work sites. Transportation costs shall not include any capital purchases.
Workforce shuttle means a motor vehicle with a seating capacity of at least six adults, excluding the operator of the vehicle, which is used for the primary purpose of transporting employees between their places of residence or other designated pick-up locations and their places of employment.
2. a. The Department of Transportation shall establish and administer the Workforce Shuttle Grant Program for the purpose of awarding grants to local government units and non-profit organizations that provide workforce shuttle services in areas of rapid population and housing growth. The purpose of the grant program is to support the purchase of workforce shuttles and the operation of workforce shuttle services in order to reduce traffic congestion in areas experiencing rapid growth.
b. To qualify for the grant program, a local government unit or non-profit organization shall demonstrate to the department that the local government unit or non-profit organization:
(1) intends to use the grant to provide workforce shuttle services, as permitted under subsection c. of this section;
(2) has entered into an agreement with one or more employers to provide workforce shuttles in which the employer has committed to contributing funding to support the provision of workforce shuttle services; and
(3) meets any other eligibility requirements that the department may deem appropriate.
c. The grants may be awarded to one or more local government units or non-profit organizations in any amounts as may be determined by the department. The grant funds shall be used to support:
(1) the purchase or leasing of workforce shuttles;
(2) the operation of workforce shuttle services targeting high traffic corridors;
(3) the effectuation of partnerships with local employers to provide workforce shuttle services; or
(4) any other workforce shuttle related purposes as may be determined by the department.
d. A local government unit or non-profit organization that seeks assistance under the grant program shall submit an application to the department in a form and manner prescribed by the department. In addition to any other information that the department may deem appropriate, the application shall require the local government unit or non-profit organization to submit information:
(1) demonstrating that the local government unit or non-profit organization meets the eligibility requirements set forth in subsection b. of this section;
(2) outlining the anticipated use of the grant, including the types of workforce shuttle services to be provided and the anticipated total costs of providing these services; and
(3) identifying the funding sources available to support the workforce shuttle services, including evidence that sufficient resources are available to cover operating expenses.
e. (1) The department may approve applications for the grant program on a rolling basis, subject to the availability of funds. The department shall prioritize applications submitted by local government units or no