ASSEMBLY CONSUMER AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1139

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  OCTOBER 15, 2018

      The Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 1139.

      As amended and reported by the committee, this bill restricts the use of motorized skateboards, including “hoverboards.”

     A “motorized skateboard” is defined in current law, at N.J.S.A.39:1-1, as a skateboard that is propelled otherwise than by muscular power.  The amended bill revises this definition to clarify that a motorized skateboard includes a two-wheeled, self-balancing electric skateboard, commonly known as a “hoverboard.”

     The amended bill also requires a person operating a motorized skateboard to wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet and to be at least 16 years of age. The amended bill prohibits a person from operating a motorized skateboard at a speed greater than 10 miles per hour.

     A person under the age of 16 who operates a motorized skateboard in violation of the amended bill’s provisions would be warned of the violation by the enforcing official.  The parent or legal guardian of the violator may be fined a maximum of $25 for a first offense and a maximum of $100 for a subsequent offense.

     In addition to the requirements under current law, a business selling or renting motorized skateboards would be required to post a sign at the point where the sale or rental transaction is completed stating: “STATE LAW PROHIBITS ANY PERSON UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE FROM OPERATING A MOTORIZED SKATEBOARD AND REQUIRES A PERSON TO WEAR A HELMET WHEN USING A MOTORIZED SKATEBOARD.”

     This bill is similar to a California law that regulates the use of motorized skateboards.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2018-2019 session pending technical review. As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to prohibit a person from operating a motorized skateboard at a speed greater than 10 miles per hour; as introduced, the bill prohibited a person from operating a motorized skateboard at a speed greater than 35 miles per hour.