SENATE STATE GOVERNMENT, WAGERING, TOURISM &
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
SENATE, No. 741
with committee amendments
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: FEBRUARY 12, 2024
The Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic
Preservation Committee reports favorably and with committee
amendments Senate Bill No. 741.
As amended by the committee, this bill authorizes the State
Treasurer to sell and convey to the Port Authority of New York and
New Jersey the land and improvements on Block 7203, Lot 2, in the
City of Jersey City, County of Hudson, known as the Holland Tunnel
Service Garage. The property would be conveyed to the Port
Authority of New York and New Jersey for $1.
The property has been declared to be surplus to the needs of the
State. The sale and conveyance authorized by the bill would be
executed in accordance with such terms and conditions as may be
approved by the State House Commission.
The Holland Tunnel Service Garage is a parcel of land in Jersey
City located outside the entrance to the Holland Tunnel and owned
by the Department of the Treasury. Since the property’s construction
in 1931 however, and as a result of State legislation concerning
Bridge and Tunnel unification, the Port Authority of New York and
New Jersey has exercised de facto ownership over the property,
assuming the payment of original debt for the property’s construction
and exercising control over operations, record keeping, and
maintenance. The State has acted as though the Port Authority owns
the property despite the fact that there is no evidence to suggest that
a deed was ever recorded conferring title to the Port Authority.
Consistent with the historical and ongoing responsibilities
assumed by the Port Authority, it is fitting and proper to legally
transfer ownership of the property to the Port Authority of New York
and New Jersey.
This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2024-2025 session
pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes
required by technical review, which has been performed. 2
COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:
The committee amendments specify that the property would be
conveyed to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for $1.