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Bill

Bill

A 2130

Creates certain public meeting requirements for passenger advisory committees.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Clinton Calabrese and 3 co-sponsors

Requires four public meetings per year for North and South Jersey NJT advisory committees, with public notice, to enhance rider input on fares and service changes.

Reported out of Assembly Committee, 2nd Reading
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Bill Summary · A 2130

Overview

Bill A 2130 (Senate 222) from New Jersey proposes to create explicit public meeting requirements for the North Jersey and South Jersey Passenger Advisory Committees established under P.L.2018, c.162. The bill preserves the advisory role of the committees—offering input to the New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJT) and its board of directors on issues affecting northern and southern New Jersey transit customers—but adds formal public meeting and notice obligations.

Main purpose and intent

  • Formalize public-facing meeting requirements for NJT passenger advisory committees.
  • Ensure regular public access to advisory deliberations and input related to fare decisions, service reductions or expansions, and other agenda items involving NJT services in respective regions.

Key provisions and changes

  • Maintains the existing structure of two regional advisory committees (North Jersey and South Jersey) that advise NJT and its board.
  • Public meeting requirements:
    • Each committee must hold four public meetings per year to receive testimony from NJT customers.
    • Each meeting must be publicly noticed at least seven calendar days before the meeting.
    • Public notices must be posted on the NJT Corporation’s website.
  • Membership and eligibility (as amended):
    • North Jersey Committee:
    • 15 voting members with four-year terms, uncompensated.
    • Requirements for residency in specified northern counties and for regular NJT rider status or substantial public transportation experience.
    • Appointments allocated among the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, the Governor, and legislative leaders, plus appointments by nonprofit entities with relevant advocacy and consumer groups.
    • South Jersey Committee:
    • 15 voting members with four-year terms, uncompensated.
    • Requirements for residency in specified southern counties and for regular rider status or substantial public transportation experience.
    • Appointments allocated among the board of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (New Jersey members), the Governor, legislative leaders, the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization, and nonprofit entities with relevant roles.
  • Governance provisions:
    • Both committees: majority of appointed members constitutes a quorum; decisions require a majority vote of the appointed members.
    • Vacancies: maintained in a manner that does not impair quorum; vacancies filled by original appointment process.
    • Leadership: each committee elects a chair and vice chair; chair schedules meetings; a secretary (not required to be a member) can be designated.
    • Dual membership prohibition: individuals cannot serve simultaneously on both North and South Jersey committees.
    • One public liaison: one NJT board member shall serve as a liaison to each committee.

Who would be affected

  • NJT customers residing in North Jersey or South Jersey, who use NJT motorbus, rail, or light rail services.
  • Residents of the specified counties who meet eligibility criteria (rider status or significant public transit experience) and who are appointed to the respective advisory committees.
  • The NJT Corporation and its board, which would receive written feedback and public input on agenda items related to fares, service changes, and expansions.
  • Nonprofit organizations involved in transit advocacy or consumer rail groups, which would play roles in appointing members.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: Immediate upon enactment.
  • Scheduling and notice:
    • Each committee must announce four public meetings per year.
    • Public notices must be posted at least seven days prior to each meeting.
    • Notices must be posted on the NJT Corporation’s website.
  • Quorum and voting:
    • A majority of the appointed members constitutes a quorum.
    • Majority vote of appointed members required to adopt actions or resolutions.
  • Appointments:
    • Staggered four-year terms for members.
    • Specific appointment allocations among regional planning authorities, the Governor, legislative leaders, and nonprofit entities, as described above.
  • Compliance and vacancies:
    • Members must maintain eligibility requirements; loss of eligibility creates a vacancy.
    • Vacancies filled in the same manner as original appointments for the remainder of the term.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Increases transparency and public participation in regional transit decisions.
  • Expands public access to discussions on fare changes and service modifications by requiring regular, noticed meetings.
  • Could enhance accountability of NJT to riders in both regions through structured, timely feedback loops.
  • Administrative burden on NJT to schedule, notice, and document four public meetings per committee annually.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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