SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 428

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: FEBRUARY 22, 1996

      The Senate Transportation Committee favorably reports Senate Bill No. 428.

      The electronic collection of tolls on highways and bridges is in the process of being implemented in the States of New Jersey and New York by the inauguration of the “E-Z-pass system.” This system permits a driver to pass through the existing toll barriers without stopping for the purpose of manually depositing currency, coins or tokens. This system will permit tolls to be paid automatically by means of automated electronic identification of a vehicle at a toll booth and the debiting of a vehicle account. This allows tolls to be paid automatically while vehicles are in motion, thereby improving traffic flow and reducing delays and queuing.

      This bill clarifies the existing laws concerning the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey with regard to the liability of the owners of motor vehicles for toll collection violations and the status and use of photo-monitoring evidence in order to permit the Port Authority to expediently implement electronic toll collection technology.

      The State of New York has enacted legislation concerning the liability of owners or motor vehicles for toll collection violations on bridges and highways operated by public authorities in the State and has further amended New York law concerning toll enforcement on crossings operated by the Port Authority for New York and New Jersey which will take effect upon passage by New Jersey of legislation having an identical effect to section 3 of that act. Section 1 of this act is identical in effect to section 3 of New York law concerning Port Authority toll enforcement and would thus permit both New York and New Jersey legislation to take effect.