SENATE, No. 1613

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED OCTOBER 24, 1996

By Senator SCOTT

An Act concerning fees for the regulation of measuring and weighing devices and amending P.L.1994, c.60.

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. Section 7 of P.L.1994, c.60 (C.51:1-54.3) is amended to read as follows:

    7. a. The State superintendent shall establish a fee schedule, including the imposition of late charges when appropriate, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), for the regulation of weighing and measuring devices under Title 51 of the Revised Statutes for which fees are not otherwise established by law.

    b.    The fees established under subsection a. of this section shall be sufficient to fully defray the cost of regulating weighing and measuring devices pursuant to Title 51 of the Revised Statutes provided however, the fee charged for scales which measure weights of less than 1,000 pounds shall not exceed $25 per scale and the fee charged for fuel pump dispensers shall not exceed $25 per hose, or $200 per commercial location using the scale or dispenser, whichever is less, and provided further, the fee charged for retail vehicle tank meters shall not exceed $50 per meter. The fee charged for the annual registration, inspection and testing of weighing and measuring devices used for concrete and aggregates shall not exceed $300 or $50 per hour per commercial location, whichever is greater.

    c.    The fees established under subsection a. of this section shall be deposited into the "Weights and Measures Fund" created pursuant to section 8 of P.L.1994, c.60 (C.51:1-54.4) for the purpose of fully defraying the cost of regulating weighing and measuring devices pursuant to Title 51 of the Revised Statutes.

(cf: P.L.1994, c.60, s.7)

    2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to the next succeeding annual fees to be charged to any registrant.

STATEMENT

    This bill would place a cap on the fees that may be charged by the Office of Weights and Measures for the registration, inspection and testing of weighing and measuring devices used in the concrete and aggregates industry. No more than $300 or $50 per hour of State inspection time -- whichever is greater -- could be charged such a business at each one of its sites.

    This revision of the State's fee schedule will more equitably reflect the time required to complete inspections and the overhead costs incurred by the Office of Weights and Measures in the Division of Consumer Affairs.

Limits fees charged for testing of weights and measures used for concrete and aggregate products.