SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 622

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MAY 9, 1996

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 622 with committee amendments.

      This bill permits the sale of merchandise or tickets and the solicitation of contributions from motorists by members of volunteer fire companies or first aid, rescue or emergency squads. Municipal governing bodies would have the ability, by ordinance, to regulate such sales and solicitations.

      The bill does not permit solicitations to be conducted on the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway or Atlantic City Expressway. In addition, the bill grants immunity to municipalities from civil liability for personal injury or property damage resulting from a motor vehicle accident occurring in the course of or during such sales or solicitations.

      The committee amendment is technical in nature. As introduced the bill required the Department of Transportation (DOT) to consult with the Divison of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in promulgating regulations; however the DMV has been transferred from the Department of Law and Public Safety to the DOT, so language requiring consultation is not necessary.

      It is the committee's understanding that the purpose of this bill is to encourage the fund-raising efforts of volunteer fire companies and volunteer first aid, rescue and emergency squads.