ASSEMBLY CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND REGULATED PROFESSIONS COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

ASSEMBLY, No. 2457

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED: DECEMBER 16, 1996

 

      The Assembly Consumer Affairs and Regulated Professions Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 2457.

      This bill amends current law to allow the State to recover reasonable costs of suit, including attorneys' and filing fees, for successful actions brought by the Attorney General under the consumer fraud law. While currently the court may award costs of suit to private litigants who successfully sue under this law, the State must absorb its court costs regardless of the outcome of a case. This bill would provide the State with the same opportunity for recovery of such costs as is afforded to private litigants.