A New Jersey lawmaker says reforms under consideration for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey would have prevented the possible trading of favors at the center of a federal investigation.

Democratic state Sen. Bob Gordon said at a hearing Thursday that if stricter legislative reviews were in place, former Port Authority head David Samson may not be under investigation.

United Airlines executives resigned Tuesday amid an investigation into possible collusion at Newark's airport between the airline and Samson, the former head of the agency appointed by Gov. Chris Christie.

Thursday's hearing was held to vet a measure passed by New York's Legislature that creates a rotating chairmanship among other changes. New Jersey's Legislature has not endorsed it.

Christie and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo support the New York measure.