New Jersey Bill Would Waive Tolls for Disabled-Veteran-Owned Trucking Businesses

A bipartisan New Jersey Senate proposal would create E-ZPass toll relief for qualifying businesses owned by disabled veterans, including trucking companies. Land Line Media reported September 25 that Senate Bill 307 would direct the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and South Jersey Transportation Authority to establish waiver programs. The official bill synopsis confirms that the proposal covers E-ZPass tolls for disabled-veteran-owned businesses.

If enacted, the relief would apply to eligible work vehicles using the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway. The business would need to be independently owned, operate in New Jersey and generate at least $2,500 in annual revenue. A qualifying disabled veteran would need to own, lease or finance the vehicle, which must be registered in New Jersey and connected to an active state E-ZPass account.

The measure has not become law. S307 was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Transportation Committee, so current toll charges remain in place unless an existing exemption separately applies. A similar proposal advanced through one committee in the previous session but did not complete the legislative process. Other pending New Jersey bills would use different eligibility rules or offer broader veteran toll relief, making the exact bill number important when evaluating a claim.

For disabled-veteran owner-operators, a waiver could lower recurring lane costs on some of the state's most heavily used toll roads. Fleets should not change pricing or route assumptions based on the proposal yet. Instead, they can maintain current business-certification, registration and E-ZPass records so eligibility is easier to document if a program is enacted. The next meaningful developments will be committee action, possible amendments and votes in both chambers, followed by a decision from the governor.