ASSEMBLY TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 789

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MARCH 25, 1996

      The Assembly Transportation and Communications Committee favorably reports Assembly Bill No. 789 with committee amendments.

      This amended bill requires the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles to register, at the owner's request, a new passenger automobile or noncommercial truck for the unexpired portion of the registration period of the passenger automobile or noncommercial truck originally owned by the registered owner. This permits the owner to transfer the registration plates from the original vehicle to the new vehicle without having to obtain a new registration period or new registration plates from the division.

      Although R.S.39:3-30 appears to already permit the registration of a new vehicle for the unexpired term of the original vehicle, the Division of Motor Vehicles has interpreted and applied this provision to permit the transfer of registrations and license plates only if the new and original vehicles are within the same registration category.

      This bill would clarify and emphasize the Legislature's intent that any new passenger automobile or noncommercial truck may be registered by the owner for the unexpired term of the registration period of the original passenger automobile or noncommercial truck.

      The committee adopted amendments to delay the effective date of the bill in order to allow the Division of Motor Vehicles sufficient time to implement its provisions.

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