ASSEMBLY TRANSPORTATION AND INDEPENDENT AUTHORITIES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 3821

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 10, 2020

      The Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 3821.

      As amended and reported, this bill establishes a nine member “New Jersey Transit ADA Task Force” (task force) to study all terminals, stations, stops, and equipment owned or operated by the New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Transit) and all terminals, stations, stops, and equipment owned or operated by an entity under contract with NJ Transit for compliance with the federal requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

     Under the bill, the task force is required to utilize staff assistance as needed to study and compile a list of all upgrades that need to be completed in order to ensure that the terminals, stations, stops, and equipment owned or operated by NJ Transit or an entity under contract with NJ Transit are in full compliance with the ADA.  The task force is also required to study and determine the cost to complete each upgrade and study and determine whether ramps may be installed at certain terminals, stations, and stops.

     The task force is to prepare and submit a report of its findings and recommendations no later than two years after the bill’s effective date. The task force expires upon submission of the report.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS

      The committee amended the bill to clarify the task force may utilize the assistance of New Jersey Transit Corporation engineers and architects in fulfilling its mandate.