Sponsored by:
Assemblyman ERIK PETERSON
District 23 (Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren)
Assemblyman JON M. BRAMNICK
District 21 (Morris, Somerset and Union)
Assemblywoman NANCY F. MUNOZ
District 21 (Morris, Somerset and Union)
Assemblyman ANTHONY M. BUCCO
District 25 (Morris and Somerset)
Assemblyman JOHN DIMAIO
District 23 (Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblymen Rible, O'Scanlon, Assemblywomen B.DeCroce, Gove, Assemblymen Clifton, Rooney, Assemblywoman Schepisi, Assemblymen Dancer, C.A.Brown, McGuckin, Space, Howarth, Auth, Ciattarelli, Assemblywomen Handlin and Phoebus
SYNOPSIS
Disapproves of Federal Highway Administration determination that “thin blue line” between double-yellow centerline marking does not comply with Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution disapproving of the Federal Highway Administration determination that the painting of a “thin blue line” between the lines of a double-yellow centerline marking on a roadway does not comply with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways.
Whereas, In 2016, reports indicate that 140 law enforcement officers died in the line of duty, with some of those deaths resulting from targeted attacks on members of the law enforcement community; and
Whereas, Negative press coverage of certain incidents involving police officers has led to increased scrutiny of some of our nation’s most dedicated public servants, often times damaging morale and potentially compromising the ability of police officers to effectively perform their duties; and
Whereas, As a show of support for the work of the police, many municipalities have painted a “thin blue line” between the lines of the double-yellow centerline marking on certain roadways, typically adjacent to police stations and municipal buildings; and
Whereas, The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), however, has published on its website an interpretation letter that was sent to a New Jersey county determining that the painting of the “thin blue line” between the lines of the double-yellow centerline marking does not comply with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD), thereby indicating that local government entities should refrain from painting roadways in such a manner; and
Whereas, Local governments have historically departed from the MUTCD for certain reasons without repercussions from the federal government, including the establishment of parade routes on public roadways, which undermines the FHWA’s determination that the “thin blue line” may not be painted on the roadway in support of law enforcement officers; and
Whereas, It appears that the FHWA determination is nothing more than federal overreach into a matter of exceptionally important local public concern; and
Whereas, A municipality ought to have the ability to show appreciation and support for its law enforcement officers, including the ceremonial painting of a “thin blue line” on roadways under its jurisdiction, without involvement or interference from the federal government, and this State will not sit idly by while the federal government threatens to encroach on that ability; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The State of New Jersey hereby disapproves of the determination made by the Federal Highway Administration that the painting of a “thin blue line” between the lines of a double-yellow centerline marking on a roadway does not comply with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to the United States Secretary of Transportation, the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, the Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the United States Senate, each member of Congress elected thereto from this State, and the President of the United States.
3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This resolution disapproves of the determination made by the Federal Highway Administration that the painting of a “thin blue line” between the lines of a double-yellow centerline marking on a roadway does not comply with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways.