Bill Text: NJ S4085 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Requires private bus operators to provide notice and hold public meetings for certain service changes.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2023-12-21 - Received in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee [S4085 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-S4085-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator M. TERESA RUIZ
District 29 (Essex)
Senator KRISTIN M. CORRADO
District 40 (Bergen, Essex, Morris and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Requires private bus operators that participate in NJT bus lease program, receive State funds, or are under contract with NJT to provide notice and hold public meetings for certain service changes.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning requirements for certain private bus operators and supplementing Title 27 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. Each private entity that operates motorbus regular route service, as that term is defined in section 3 of P.L.1979, c.150 (C.27:25-3), or portions or functions thereof, and that also participates in the New Jersey Transit Corporation's bus lease program, is a recipient of State funds, regardless of whether those funds are received through the corporation or through another instrumentality of the State, or operates such service pursuant to a contract with the corporation shall:
(1) provide at least four months written notice to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and the New Jersey Transit Corporation prior to the substantial curtailment, as that term is defined in section 8 of P.L.1979, c.150 (C.27:25-8), of such service;
(2) provide at least three months written notice to the service's customers prior to the substantial curtailment of such service; and
(3) hold at least one public meeting in the affected area, as close as possible to the highest trafficked stop on the route, within 15 days after providing notice to the service's customers pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection. Prior to holding the public meeting, the private entity shall provide written notice of the public meeting to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, the New Jersey Transit Corporation, as well as the State legislators representing any legislative district, the mayor and governing body of any municipality, and the board of county commissioners of any county that will be affected by the substantial curtailment of such service.
b. A private entity that is determined to be in violation of subsection a. of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 for each violation, in addition to any penalties that may be available pursuant to law.
c. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission shall adopt rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this section and shall take any action necessary to ensure that private entities are in compliance with the provisions of subsection a. of this section.
d. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prohibit the New Jersey Transit Corporation or any other instrumentality of the State from conditioning participation in any program, receipt of funds, or entry into a contractual agreement on notice and public meeting requirements that are more onerous than the requirements provided in this section.
2. This act shall take
effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill establishes several requirements for a private entity that operates motorbus regulator route service, or portions or functions thereof, and that also participates in the New Jersey Transit Corporation's (NJ Transit) bus lease program, is a recipient of State funds, or operates the service pursuant to a contract with NJ Transit.
Specifically, these private entities would be required to: (1) provide at least four months written notice to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission) and NJ Transit prior to the substantial curtailment of such service; (2) provide at least three months written notice to the service's customers prior to the substantial curtailment of such service; and (3) hold at least one public meeting in the affected area, as close as possible to the highest trafficked stop on the route, within 15 days after providing notice to the service's customers. Prior to holding the public meeting, the private entity is required to provide written notice of the public meeting to the commission, NJ Transit, as well as the State legislators representing any legislative district, the mayor and governing body of any municipality, and the board of county commissioners of any county that will be affected by the substantial curtailment of such service.
A private entity found to be in violation of the bill would be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 for each violation, which penalty is to be in addition to any other penalties that may be available pursuant to law.
The bill requires the commission to adopt rules and regulations to implement the bill and requires the commission to take any action necessary to ensure that private entities are in compliance with the bill's provisions.
