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A 5732

Relates to assault on certain employees assigned to an airport, while in performance of their assigned duties, or in direct relation thereto

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Alicia Hyndman

New Jersey A5732 requires state helicopter noise rules to cut flights by 47% from the 12-month pre-enactment average, with exemptions and nightly limits for sightseeing tours.

REFERRED TO CODES
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Bill Summary · A 5732

Legislative Summary: Assembly Bill A 5732

Overview

A 5732 is a New Jersey bill introduced on May 22, 2025, that would regulate helicopter operations at state-licensed airports, heliports, and helistops to reduce noise. The act would supplement Title 6 of the Revised Statutes and directs the Department of Transportation to establish rules limiting helicopter flights and certain nighttime operations. The bill is currently referred to the Codes Committee.

  • Primary sponsor: Alicia Hyndman
  • Related/companion measures: S 275 (companion), S 5167 (companion), and prior-session related bills (S 7831, A 9208)
  • Effective date: Immediate upon enactment

Key Provisions

1) Noise-reduction rulemaking (Commissioner of Transportation)
- The Commissioner must adopt rules (to the extent permitted by federal law) to decrease helicopter noise at airports, heliports, and helistops licensed by the State.
- Mandatory target: reduce the number of helicopter flights leaving the facility by at least 47% compared with the 12-month average preceding the bill’s enactment.
- Exemptions from the reduction:
- Flights by helicopters owned or operated by federal/military authorities, the State or a political subdivision, news agencies, or licensed hospitals/healthcare providers.
- Helicopters providing emergency medical transportation.

2) Nighttime restrictions for sightseeing/tourist helicopters (licensees)
- Also to the extent permitted by federal law, applicants for heliport/helistop licenses (new or renewals) must certify they will prohibit helicopters offering sightseeing or tourist services from leaving or landing during restricted hours:
- Weekdays: 9:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
- Weekends: 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m.

3) Implementation and administration
- Provisions call for rulemaking under the Administrative Procedure Act.
- The act specifies immediate effectiveness for its provisions.

Definitions (context for scope)

  • Airport: State-licensed area for landing/takeoff of airplanes and other aircraft, with related facilities.
  • Heliport: Designated area for helicopter landing/takeoff used for that purpose.
  • Helistop: Area designated for helicopter operations, not necessarily exclusive to helicopters.
  • Helicopter: Engine-driven rotor aircraft with vertical-axis propulsion.
  • Emergency medical transportation: As defined in existing statute (consistent with medical transport services).

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Affected: Operators and proprietors of airports, heliports, and helistops; operators of sightseeing/tourist helicopter services; entities applying for heliport/helistop licenses.
  • Exclusions: Certain flights (federal/military, state/local governments, news agencies, licensed hospitals/healthcare providers, emergency medical transport) are not counted toward the 47% reduction.
  • Potential effects: Reduced helicopter activity and noise at licensed facilities; compliance obligations for license applicants; possible operational adjustments for sightseeing operators.

Procedural Timeline

  • 2025-02-20: Referred to Codes (first referral)
  • 2025-05-22: Introduced in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee

This summary captures the bill’s purpose, core requirements, affected parties, and procedural status based on the introduced text.

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

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