Bill Text: NJ AR73 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges Federal Government to exempt New Jersey from prohibition on private operation of safety rest areas.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-05-10 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee [AR73 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-AR73-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman MATTHEW W. MILAM
District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)
Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE
District 37 (Bergen)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywomen Gove and Riley
SYNOPSIS
Urges Federal Government to exempt New Jersey from prohibition on private operation of safety rest areas.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution urging the Federal Government to grant an exemption to New Jersey from the prohibition on private entities operating safety rest areas.
Whereas, Because of budgetary constraints, states are closing highway rest areas, particularly those on interstate highways; and
Whereas, The closure of these rest areas (referred to as "safety rest areas" in federal regulations) poses a serious safety problem for travelers and commuters by increasing the incidence of serious accidents. Truck operators are also experiencing difficulty in finding rest accommodations on interstate highways in order to permit them to fulfill their federally-mandated rest time and to operate their vehicles in a rested and alert condition; and
Whereas, 23 C.F.R. s.752.5 only permits the placement of vending machines at safety rest areas operated either directly or indirectly by the State of New Jersey and does not permit the operation of these rest areas by private entities as full-service facilities with like amenities; and
Whereas, The existence of various amenities at New Jersey safety rest areas operated by private entities would permit such areas to remain open since the State would receive lease payments and other revenues from the operator, including tax revenue, thereby eliminating or defraying any cost to the State of the facility and providing an incentive to keep the safety rest areas open; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House respectfully urges the Federal Government to grant an exemption to New Jersey from the prohibition on private entities operating safety rest areas.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the United States Secretary of Transportation and to the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration.
STATEMENT
This Assembly resolution urges the Federal Government to grant an exemption to New Jersey from the prohibition on private entities operating interstate highway safety rest areas for travelers and commuters. Because of budgetary constraints, many states are closing safety rest areas on interstate highways, causing serious safety problems including increased incidence of serious accidents for truckers who are required to observe federally mandated rest times. The operation by private entities of safety areas with appropriate amenities would provide revenue to New Jersey and serve as an incentive to keep New Jersey's safety areas open.
