Bill Text: NJ A3968 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Regulates toll collection transponders in rental vehicles.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-04-04 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee [A3968 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-A3968-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman WAYNE P. DEANGELO
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Assemblyman DANIEL R. BENSON
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Regulates toll collection transponders in rental vehicles.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning toll collection transponders in rental vehicles and supplementing P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.).
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. As used in this act:
"Motor vehicle rental company" means any business entity or person engaged in the business of renting motor vehicles to customers under rental agreements for periods of 90 days or less; and
"Rental motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle owned by a rental company and rented to customers under rental agreements for periods of 90 days or less.
2. It shall be an unlawful practice for a motor vehicle rental company to rent a motor vehicle containing an electronic vehicle identification system transponder issued by an electronic toll collection system unless they notify the customer renting the vehicle:
a. Of the transponder's presence in the vehicle, including precise information which can be used to identify which specific transponder is in the vehicle; and
b. Whether the customer renting the vehicle will be responsible for any charges incurred via that specific electronic vehicle identification system transponder during the period of time that rental motor vehicle is in the customer's possession.
3. This act shall take effect on the first day of the seventh month following enactment.
STATEMENT
This bill would require motor vehicle rental companies to notify a customer if there is an electronic vehicle identification system transponder issued by an electronic toll collection system, such as an E-ZPass transponder, in a vehicle he rents. The notification would have to include information identifying which specific transponder is in the vehicle and clarifying whether the customer would be responsible for charges incurred by that specific transponder during the rental period.
The bill specifies that violations of its provisions would be unlawful practices. An unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud Act is punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more than $20,000 for any subsequent offense. In addition, a violation can result in cease and desist orders issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages, and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured.
