SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1770

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: JUNE 16, 1997

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 1770.

      This bill exempts from paying motor vehicle registration fees persons age 65 years and older who are eligible for medical assistance under the State Medicaid program. Current law exempts persons who are eligible for the Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD) program. Persons who qualify for Medicaid do not qualify for PAAD because they have full coverage for the cost of pharmaceuticals through the Medicaid program, although the income eligibility limits for the Medicaid program are lower than those of the PAAD program.

      Extending the exemption from payment of the additional motor vehicle fees to low income senior citizens who qualify for Medicaid and, therefore, do not qualify for PAAD, ensures that all senior citizens in the State whose income is below the PAAD program limits qualify for the motor vehicle fee exemption.

      The committee adopted an amendment to delay the effective date of the bill.