Bill Text: NJ A5295 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Advisory Council.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-05-13 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee [A5295 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-A5295-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman P. CHRISTOPHER TULLY
District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)
Assemblywoman LISA SWAIN
District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Advisory Council.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act establishing a Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Advisory Council and supplementing Title 39 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. There is established in, but not of, the Department of Transportation, a Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Advisory Council, to consist of the Division Administrator of the New Jersey Division of the Federal Highway Administration, ex officio, or the division administrator's designated representative, who shall be a non-voting member, and 17 voting members as follows:
(1) The Commissioner of Transportation, ex officio, or the commissioner's designated representative;
(2) The Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, ex officio, or the chief administrator's designated representative;
(3) The Director of the Division of Highway Traffic Safety in the Department of Law and Public Safety, ex officio, or the director's designated representative;
(4) The Commissioner of Health, ex officio, or the commissioner's designated representative;
(5) The Executive Director of the New Jersey Transit Corporation, ex officio, or the executive director's designated representative;
(6) The Manager of the Office of Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs in the Department of Transportation, ex officio, or the manager's designated representative;
(7) The Executive Director of the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, ex officio, or the executive director's designated representative;
(8) The Executive Director of the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization, ex officio, or the executive director's designated representative;
(9) The Executive Director of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, ex officio, or the executive director's designated representative;
(10) Two members of the public to be appointed by the Governor, in consultation with the Commissioner of Transportation, who represent organizations that have expertise in Statewide transportation options and regional expertise in bicycle and pedestrian advocacy; one member of the public to be appointed by the Senate President who represents an organization that works to address issues facing senior citizens in this State; and one member of the public to be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of AARP;
(11) Two members of the
Senate, one to be appointed by the Senate President and one to be appointed by
the Senate Minority
Leader; and
(12) Two members of the General Assembly, one to be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and one to be appointed by the Assembly Minority Leader.
b. The public members shall serve for a term of four years from the date of their appointment and until their successors are appointed and qualified. Any vacancy in the membership of the council shall be filled by appointment in the same manner as the original appointment, but for the unexpired term only.
c. The council shall adopt by-laws for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business.
d. The council shall meet at least four times per year and shall comply with the provisions of the "Senator Byron M. Baer Open Public Meetings Act," P.L.1975, c.231 (C.10:4-6 et seq.).
2. The council shall organize as soon as possible after the appointment of a majority of the council's members and shall elect from among the members who are not members of the Senate or General Assembly a chairperson and a vice-chairperson.
3. The purpose of the council shall be to study, examine, and review the issue of bicycle and pedestrian safety in New Jersey and to advise the Governor, Legislature, and Department of Transportation on policies, programs, research, and priorities to advance bicycling and walking as safe and viable forms of transportation and recreation throughout the State for persons of all ages and abilities. To fulfill this purpose, the council shall:
a. identify problem areas, safety concerns, infrastructure and design issues, and factors contributing to crashes involving pedestrians or bicyclists, including, but not limited to, the type of motor vehicle violations, including speeding, that contribute to accidents involving bicyclists or pedestrians;
b. study and analyze the rights, duties, and responsibilities of motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists, including the availability and effectiveness of driver education and training programs and other efforts to educate and inform the public about pedestrian and bicycle issues;
c. perform studies and review existing research on bicycle and pedestrian issues including, but not limited to, senior citizen mobility issues, in cooperation with the Department of Transportation;
d. review current State planning processes which include bicycle and pedestrian facilities;
e. review Title 39 of the Revised Statutes and study potential policies, legislative and regulatory solutions, and best practices designed to promote the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians;
f. promote cooperation and coordination between governmental agencies and private entities concerning bicycle and pedestrian safety, including, but not limited to, reviewing and recommending municipal planning practices concerning bicycle and pedestrian facilities, sidewalks, and lighting; and
g. perform other functions deemed appropriate by the council to fulfill its duties under P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
4. The council shall be entitled to call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of officials and employees of the State and its political subdivisions and their departments, boards, bureaus, commissions, and agencies as it may require and as may be available to it for the purposes of the council and may expend those funds as may be appropriated or otherwise made available to it for the purposes of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
5. The council shall report to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature concerning its activities pursuant to section 3 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) no later than one year following the first meeting of the council. Thereafter, the council shall submit annually a report to the Governor and, pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), to the Legislature.
6. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
The bill establishes a Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Advisory Council (council) in, but not of, the Department of Transportation to study, examine, and review the issue of bicycle and pedestrian safety in New Jersey.
In conducting its responsibilities, the council is to: identify problem areas, safety concerns, infrastructure and design issues, and factors contributing to crashes involving pedestrians or bicyclists; study and analyze the rights, duties, and responsibilities of motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists; perform studies and review existing research on bicycle and pedestrian issues; review current State planning processes which include bicycle and pedestrian facilities; review statutory law and study potential policies, legislative and regulatory solutions, and best practices designed to promote the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians; promote cooperation and coordination between governmental agencies and private entities concerning bicycle and pedestrian safety; and perform any other functions deemed appropriate to fulfill its duties. The council will report annually to the Governor and the Legislature concerning its activities.
