Prohibits NJTA and SJTA from charging and collecting tolls.
Summary
Assembly Bill 4546 would prohibit both the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) and the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) from charging or collecting tolls on highway projects they operate. The bill states that, on its effective date, each authority would lose any legal authority to impose tolls, and any existing references in law, rule, or regulation to toll-charging power would be null and void. Each authority would also be required to adopt rules to implement the change and repeal or amend any conflicting internal regulations.
To carry out that policy change, the bill revises multiple provisions of the statutes governing the NJTA and SJTA. It removes toll-related language from their powers, preserves the ability to charge other types of fees and charges where authorized, and amends provisions dealing with revenues, bond covenants, public hearings, and related financing language. The bill also repeals several older statutory sections tied to tolling and related authority powers. In practical terms, the measure would substantially restructure how these transportation authorities fund highway operations and debt service, while leaving other non-toll revenue tools in place where the statutes still allow them.
Impact
The bill would make major changes to Title 27 provisions governing the NJTA and SJTA by eliminating their authority to charge tolls on highway projects and by striking or revising numerous toll-related references throughout the statutes. It would also repeal several provisions that currently support toll collection or related administrative functions. Because the authorities rely on toll revenues for operations and bond obligations, the bill would affect their financing structure, revenue streams, and potentially the legal framework for outstanding debt and contracts tied to toll receipts.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no documented floor or committee sentiment to summarize. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears to reflect a strong policy position against toll collection by the NJTA and SJTA, but the available record does not show support, opposition, or negotiated compromise from legislators or stakeholders.
Contention
The central point of contention is the elimination of tolls, which would directly affect the NJTA and SJTA’s ability to fund highway projects and service debt. The bill’s amendments to bond-related and revenue provisions suggest potential concern about how existing obligations would be paid without toll income, and those issues would likely be important to the authorities, bondholders, and transportation finance stakeholders. Another likely issue is whether the bill’s removal of toll authority is compatible with existing contracts and statutory pledges protecting bondholders, since the bill revises but does not fully resolve all financing language.