SENATE STATE GOVERNMENT, WAGERING, TOURISM & HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

SENATE, No. 4080

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED:  NOVEMBER 15, 2021

 

      The Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism, and Historic Preservation Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 4080.

     This bill requires certain snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, and dirt bikes to be forfeited and destroyed.

     Under current law, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, and dirt bikes that are operated illegally are subject to impoundment and are released to the owner upon proof of registration and insurance and payment of a fee, plus towing and storage costs.

     Under the provisions of this bill, instead of being subject to impoundment and released upon payment of a fee and towing and storage costs, a snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle, or dirt bike that is operated illegally is to be designated as prima facie contraband that is subject to civil asset forfeiture under current law. 

     Further, under current law, property which has been forfeited under the civil asset forfeiture law is destroyed if it can serve no lawful purpose or it presents a danger to the public health, safety, or welfare. This bill requires an illegally operated snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle, or dirt bike which was forfeited under the civil asset forfeiture law to also be destroyed.