Sponsored by:
Senator CHRISTOPHER "KIP" BATEMAN
District 16 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset)
SYNOPSIS
Decreases certain motor vehicle fines.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
An Act concerning certain motor vehicle fines and amending R.S.39:3-29.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. R.S.39:3-29 is amended to read as follows:
39:3-29. The driver's license, the registration certificate of a motor vehicle and an insurance identification card shall be in the possession of the driver or operator at all times when he is in charge of a motor vehicle on the highways of this State.
The driver or operator shall exhibit his driver's license and an insurance identification card, and the holder of a registration certificate or the operator or driver of a motor vehicle for which a registration certificate has been issued, whether or not the holder, driver or operator is a resident of this State, shall also exhibit the registration certificate, when requested so to do by a police officer or judge, while in the performance of the duties of his office, and shall write his name in the presence of the officer, so that the officer may thereby determine the identity of the licensee and at the same time determine the correctness of the registration certificate, as it relates to the registration number and number plates of the motor vehicle for which it was issued; and the correctness of the evidence of a policy of insurance, as it relates to the coverage of the motor vehicle for which it was issued.
Any person violating this section shall be subject to a fine [of $150, of which] not exceeding $100, except that if the person is a driver or operator of an omnibus, as defined pursuant to R.S.39:1-1, the amount of the fine shall be $250. Of the amount of any such fine collected pursuant to this paragraph, $25 shall be deposited in the Uninsured Motorist Prevention Fund established by section 2 of P.L.1983, c.141 (C.39:6B-3) .
If a person charged with a violation of this section can exhibit his driver's license, insurance identification card and registration certificate, which were valid on the day he was charged, to the judge of the municipal court before whom he is summoned to answer to the charge, such judge may dismiss the charge. However, the judge may impose court costs.
In addition to and independent
of any fine or other penalty provided for under law, the court shall impose a
fine of $150 on any driver or operator of an omnibus, convicted of a violation
of this section, who does not have a certificate of public convenience and
necessity as required pursuant to R.S.48:4-3. The State Treasurer shall
annually deposit the monies collected from the fines imposed
pursuant to this paragraph to the "Omnibus Safety Enforcement Fund" established
pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2007, c.40 (C.39:3-79.23). The fine described
herein shall not be deemed a fine, penalty, or forfeiture pursuant to
R.S.39:5-41.
(cf: P.L.2007, c.40, s.2)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill decreases the fine for drivers who fail to have their drivers license, vehicle registration certificate or insurance identification card while driving or operating a motor vehicle in this State. Under current law, the fine is $150. This bill decreases the fine to an amount not exceeding $100.