WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

S 4369

Provides for memorial land facilities

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Leroy Comrie and 5 co-sponsors

The bill creates a Road to Relief grant program reimbursing increased transportation costs for commuters, employees, and small NJ retailers in highway project zones during the reli

REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 4369

Summary of S 4369 – Road to Relief Act (Introduced May 12, 2025)

Purpose

S 4369 would require the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to establish and administer a grant program named the Road to Relief Act. The program provides financial reimbursements to certain commuters, full-time employees, and retail businesses for increased transportation expenses incurred as a direct result of a public highway project, during a defined relief period.

Key Provisions

  • Definitions (Section 1)

    • “Applicant” includes a commuter, a full-time employee, or a retail business establishment seeking a grant.
    • “Impacted construction zone” covers areas surrounding a public highway project where traffic flow or access to nearby businesses is hindered.
    • “Relief period” is the time from project start to project completion.
    • “Transportation expenses” cover costs for commuting or transporting goods/services necessary for daily operations.
    • “Small business” criteria: up to 50 full-time employees, independently owned and NJ-based, current with state taxes.

  • Grant Program (Section 2)

    • The EDA must reimburse increased transportation expenses incurred during the relief period for: 1) Commuters whose home-to-work commute occurs in/through an impacted zone and is affected by the project. 2) Full-time employees of a retail business within the zone whose commute is affected. 3) Retail businesses operating within the zone.
    • Applications must include eligibility proof, prior-period transportation expenses, and documentation of increased expenses during the relief period, with verification based on equal numbers of transportation days pre- and during-relief.

  • Award Calculation (Section 2c)

    • Grants equal the difference between increased expenses during the relief period and baseline expenses, using the same number of transportation days before and during the relief period. Awards are disbursed on a rolling basis, subject to available funds.

  • Administrative Process (Section 2d)

    • The New Jersey Department of Transportation must notify the EDA at project start and completion. Within 30 days after the act’s effective date, DOT must notify the director of ongoing projects.

  • Regulatory Authority (Section 3)

    • The EDA may adopt temporary regulations immediately (up to 180 days) to implement the program, after filing with the Office of Administrative Law; subsequent rules must follow the Administrative Procedure Act.

  • Funding (Section 4)

    • A $1,000,000 appropriation from the General Fund to the EDA to cover program administration costs.

  • Effective Date (Section 5)

    • The act takes effect immediately.

Administration, Funding, and Timeline

  • Administered by the NJ Economic Development Authority.
  • Funding earmarked specifically for administration: $1 million.
  • Rules can be issued immediately for up to 180 days; later formal rulemaking under standard APA processes.
  • Regulatory and project notices from DOT are required to support review and verification.

Legislative Context

  • Status: Introduced in the Senate on May 12, 2025; referred to the Senate Corporations, Authorities and Commissions Committee (with historical actions showing prior committee progress and related companion bills).
  • Sponsors include Leroy Comrie (primary) and several cosponsors (e.g., Mario Mattera, Zellnor Myrie, Liz Krueger, Patricia Fahy, Pete Harckham).

Potential Impact

  • Aims to mitigate local economic disruption caused by public highway projects by offsetting increased transportation costs for residents and small, NJ-based retail businesses within affected zones.
  • Limited by a $1 million appropriation, which may constrain the number of beneficiaries.
  • Streamlined initial implementation via temporary regulatory authority, followed by standard rulemaking.

This summary captures the bill’s core intent, key provisions, affected parties, and procedural aspects to aid understanding of S 4369’s scope and potential effects.

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

Sign in to ask a question.