STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1785

with Senate Floor Amendments

(Proposed By Senator MARTIN)

ADOPTED: JUNE 19, 1997

      These amendments require the governing body of a municipality or county which requires the towing and storage of motor vehicles without the consent of the owners of those vehicles to adopt an ordinance or resolution setting forth a model schedule of towing and storage services which they require and the rates therefor. The Division of Consumer Affairs may also establish a model schedule for such services. In addition, the amendments stipulate that each governing body required to set forth a schedule shall implement a procedure to receive complaints and resolve disputes arising from the required towing and storage of motor vehicles. The amendments also make it an unlawful practice and a violation of the consumer fraud law, P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.), for any person to charge rates for the required towing and storage of motor vehicles that are discriminatory or are not usual, customary and reasonable rates in any municipality or county which is required to adopt an ordinance or resolution for the towing and storage of motor vehicles.