Bill

A 938

Provides for representation of Burlington County on SJTA.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Carter and 4 co-sponsors

Burlington County joins SJTA, expanding its governance to include eight appointed board members to enhance regional transportation planning in South Jersey.

Approved P.L.2026, c.17.

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Bill Summary · A 938

Summary of Bill A-938 (Session 222) – New Jersey Legislative Perspective

Main purpose and intent

This bill adds Burlington County to the membership of the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) and revises the SJTA Board composition.
It aims to broaden regional transportation planning and coordination in South Jersey by expanding the geographic scope of SJTA governance.

Key provisions and changes

Legislative declaration (Section 2):
-Affirms the public policy of coordinated transportation planning across the state, with regional coordination in southern New Jersey.
-Establishes the SJTA as a regional authority to address highway systems, aviation facilities, and related transportation issues, including economic development facilities tied to transportation projects.
-Clarifies that SJTA activities do not replace funding or operation roles of the Transportation Trust Fund Authority or New Jersey Transit.
Definitions (Section 3):
-Updates a broad set of terms to reflect SJTA’s scope, including expressway projects, transportation facilities, economic development facilities, and various modes of public transportation (rail, bus, paratransit, marine, air).
-Affirms that “South Jersey” includes the counties of Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem.
Board composition and governance (Section 5):
- Current structure: Commissioner of Transportation (ex officio voting), Chief Executive Officer of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (ex officio nonvoting), and seven appointed members (in prior version).
- Proposed change: Eight appointed members (in addition to the ex officio seats), with a geographic distribution among South Jersey counties.
- Specifically, at least seven appointees would be residents of South Jersey, with a split: four or more from the 30-mile radius around the Atlantic City International Airport civil aviation terminal (and through counties the Atlantic City Expressway traverses), and three from the part of South Jersey outside that 30-mile radius.
- Appointees must have expertise in transportation, finance, law, public administration, or aviation, and political party balance provisions allow no more than five members from the same party.
- Terms: Five-year terms for appointed members, with staggered initial terms (two, three, four, or five years) to establish a rotating renewal.
- The Governor designates a chair; annual election of a vice-chair from among voting members.
- Provisions for staff, employment terms, and disclosures.
- Quorum and voting requirements: five voting members constitute a quorum; five affirmative votes needed for actions (subject to bylaws).
- Dissolution clause retained with state oversight.
Effective date:
- The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Who or what would be affected

Burlington County would become a member county of the SJTA, expanding its geographic and political footprint.
The SJTA Board would be expanded from its existing size to eight appointed members, with a specified regional representation framework.
Transportation planning, funding decisions, and economic development initiatives tied to SJTA projects could be influenced by the broader board and the inclusion of Burlington County.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and referral: January 13, 2026 (Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee).
Reported out of Assembly Committee (2nd Reading): May 7, 2026.
Immediate effect upon enactment.