ASSEMBLY TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

SENATE, No. 1623

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: DECEMBER 11, 1997

      The Assembly Transportation and Communications Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 1623 (1R).

      This bill would authorize an owner of a historic vessel to apply for and obtain a registration number unique to historic vessels. The bill defines historic vessel as one that is at least 25 years old and that is used only for exhibition or educational purposes.

      Application for numbering an historic vessel would be similar to the current procedure for numbering a vessel. The application would be signed by the owner and accompanied by the fee prescribed for numbering vessels pursuant to current law. Upon proper application and payment of the prescribed fees, the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) would issue to the applicant a certificate of number which states the name and address of the owner, a description of the historic vessel, its use, and the number assigned. The bill requires the DMV to establish a special numbering code that is unique to historic vessels.