New Jersey Assembly Bill A3788

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/22/24
• Refer: 2/22/24

Caption

Requires Commissioner of Transportation to publish notice of certain transportation-related infrastructure projects and activities on Internet website, and directs State Comptroller to monitor publication of notifications.

Impact

The bill's implementation is designed to ensure that all citizens have access to critical information concerning transportation projects funded by federal money. It is aimed at fostering greater oversight by requiring an annual report from the State Comptroller about the website and the efficacy in publishing notifications. The annual report will also include data on the employment of state residents, especially focusing on women and minorities, thereby promoting equitable opportunities in the contracting process of these projects.

Summary

Assembly Bill A3788, introduced in New Jersey's 221st Legislature, mandates that the Commissioner of Transportation must publish detailed notices regarding certain federally funded transportation-related infrastructure projects and activities on an official Internet website. The intent of the bill is to enhance transparency and public accountability in the spending of federal funds allocated for such projects. The bill stipulates that this website must be easily accessible to the public without any charges and organized by type of expenditure and the state agency responsible for the funds.

Contention

The bill also raises points of contention around the participation of minority-owned and women-owned businesses in the bidding and execution of transportation-related projects. By mandating that contractors provide information about their minority or women's status, it aims to create a more inclusive environment. However, there may be concerns regarding how this data is collected and used, and whether it may lead to unintended bureaucratic complications for smaller businesses trying to satisfy regulations while also competing for contracts.