ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 85
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
INTRODUCED MAY 2, 1996
By Assemblywoman HECK, Assemblymen DeCROCE and Doria
An Assembly Resolution reconstituting the Assembly Light Rail Transit Legislative Panel.
Whereas, The Assembly Light Rail Transit Legislative Panel was established by the Speaker of the General Assembly in the 205th Legislature, and reconstituted in the 206th Legislature, to monitor the Hudson waterfront light rail project and other light rail transit systems proposed for New Jersey; and
Whereas, New Jersey Transit has entered into a "full funding" agreement with the Federal Transit Administration for the funding of the Hudson waterfront light rail project, which agreement will accelerate the project and reduce its cost; and
Whereas, New Jersey Transit intends to award a design and build contract for the Hudson County waterfront light rail project, a new method of project development in New Jersey; and
Whereas, There are other opportunities, such as the Route 130 corridor between Camden and Trenton, for light rail projects throughout the State; and
Whereas, It is appropriate to reconstitute the Assembly Light Rail Transit Legislative Panel to oversee the Hudson waterfront light rail transit project as it becomes a reality and to help develop and oversee all light rail transit projects throughout the State; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Assembly Light Rail Transit Legislative Panel (the panel), established by the Speaker of the General Assembly in the 205th and 206th Legislatures, is hereby reconstituted and shall comprise three members of the General Assembly. The members, chairman, and vice-chairman of the panel shall be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly. No more than two members of the panel shall be of the same political party.
2. The panel shall organize as soon as possible after the appointment of its members. The chairman shall appoint a secretary who need not be a member of the panel. The panel shall meet and hold hearings at any place or places it shall designate during the sessions or recesses of the General Assembly.
3. It shall be the duty of the panel to monitor and consider ongoing and potential light rail projects throughout the State and to work with county and municipal officials, as well as other agencies involved, to help ensure that the State makes the most effective and economical use of taxpayer dollars allocated to the study and implementation of light rail systems.
4. The panel may request the assistance and services of the employees of any State, county or municipal department, board, bureau, commission, task force or agency as it may require and as may available to it for its purposes; may employ stenographic and clerical assistants; and may incur travel and other miscellaneous expenses necessary to perform its duties, within the limits of funds made available to it for its purposes.
5. The panel shall report its activities, findings, conclusions and recommendations for legislation or administrative action as often as appropriate to the Speaker of the General Assembly.
STATEMENT
This Assembly Resolution would reconstitute the Assembly Light Rail Transit Legislative Panel (the panel). The panel was established by the Speaker of the General Assembly in the 205th Legislature, and reconstituted in the 206th Legislature, to monitor the Hudson waterfront light rail project and other light rail transit systems proposed for New Jersey.
New Jersey Transit has entered into a "full funding" agreement with the Federal Transit Administration for the funding of the Hudson waterfront light rail project and intends to award a design and build contract for the project, a new method of project development in New Jersey. There are other opportunities, such as the Route 130 corridor between Camden and Trenton, for light rail projects throughout the State. As such, it is appropriate to reconstitute the panel to oversee the Hudson waterfront light rail project and to help develop and oversee all light rail transit projects throughout the State.
The panel would comprise three members of the General Assembly. The members, chairman and vice-chairman of the panel would be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly.
The panel would report its activities, findings, conclusions and recommendations for legislation or administrative action as often as appropriate to the Speaker of the General Assembly.
Reconstitutes Assembly Light Rail Transit Legislative Panel.