STATEMENT TO

 

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 302

 

with Senate Floor Amendments

(Proposed By Senator BENNETT)

 

ADOPTED: JUNE 5, 1997

 

 

      These amendments would provide a limited immunity to owners and operators (as well as governmental entities) of school buses using liquefied petroleum gas as a fuel in the event of an accident causing injuries or damages attributable to the use of that fuel. Specifically, the amendments would exempt those persons and entities from negligence claims if all applicable federal and State standards, as well as those of the National Fire Protection Association, were followed. The limited immunity provided by the amendments: (1) would be in addition to any other immunity that may apply under the "New Jersey Tort Claims Act," N.J.S.59:1-1 et seq., or any other law, rule, or regulation; and (2) would not apply if it is established that the act or omission causing the injury or damages constitutes gross negligence, recklessness, actual fraud, actual malice, willful misconduct, or criminal conduct.