ASSEMBLY TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 1217

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MARCH 25, 1996

      The Assembly Transportation and Communications Committee favorably reports Assembly Bill No. 1217.

      This bill would clarify an exemption, now granted under State law, from the licensing provisions of the "Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986," Pub.L. 99-5 to (49 U.S.C. § 2701 et seq.), to specifically include operation of emergency or rescue equipment operated for the purpose of disaster control, such as responding to a hazardous materials incident, within the exemption. County offices of emergency management are often staffed by a handful of employees as well as many more part-time volunteers. This bill would enable those full-time employees and part-time volunteers to operate emergency management equipment without having to be specifically licensed as commercial motor vehicle operators.

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