ASSEMBLY TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 506

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JANUARY 9, 1997

      The Assembly Transportation and Communications Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 506.

      The bill waives the driver's license fees and motor vehicle registration fees of volunteer members of fire companies and of first aid or rescue squads. The waiver authorized under the bill applies to all registration fees and surcharges, including the surcharges collected under section 68 of P.L.1990, c.8 (C.17:33B-63), but does not apply to any additional registration fee or surcharge imposed or assessed as a penalty because of an offense, violation, conviction, or accident.

      Under the provisions of the bill, volunteer members of fire companies and of first aid or rescue squads may apply to the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for a waiver of their driver's license fees and motor vehicle registration fees. The application is to contain such information as the director requires, including appropriate proof of the applicant's volunteer service.

      The motor vehicle registration fee waiver applies to only one vehicle owned or leased by the volunteer, specifically the one the volunteer uses as his primary means of transportation to and from the fire company or first aid or rescue squad.

      A volunteer who resigns or otherwise discontinues his membership in the fire company or in the first aid or rescue squad is required pay a fee, proportionate to the unexpired term of his license or registration, to the director.

      The bill specifies that if any volunteer's driver's license or motor vehicle registration is revoked or suspended by the director, that volunteer is no longer eligible to participate in the waiver program.

      Finally, any person who violates the provisions of the bill is subject to a fine of not more than $500, imprisonment in the county jail for a term of not more than 60 days, or both. This penalty is similar to the penalty set forth in R.S.39:3-10 for individuals who violate the State's driver's licenses law.

      Technical review was performed on this prefiled bill, as required under Joint Rule 18A of the Senate and General Assembly.