ASSEMBLY TRANSPORTATION AND INDEPENDENT AUTHORITIES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 3035

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

      The Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 3035. 

      As amended and reported, this bill adds electric vehicle charging spaces to the locations where an operator of a motor vehicle is prohibited from parking under certain circumstances. 

      Under the bill, an individual is prohibited from parking in an electric vehicle charging space: (1) if the vehicle is a non-electric vehicle or is a plug-in electric vehicle, including a battery electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, that is not actively charging; and (2) if the space is clearly marked with signage and pavement markings indicating the space is reserved for plug-in electric vehicles that are actively charging.  Under the bill, the signage and pavement markings are required to be visible during the day and night. Additionally, an individual who violates the bill’s provisions is subject to a fine of $55 for the first offense, $100 for the second offense, and $200 for the third and each subsequent offense.  Additionally, towing of vehicles found to be in violation of the bill’s provisions is to be at the discretion of the municipality in which the electric vehicle charging space is located. 

      The bill defines “electric vehicle charging space” as a publicly accessible charging space or set of charging spaces, with visible signage indicating that the charging space or spaces are available for use by the public for charging plug-in electric vehicles.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2024-2025 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to:

      (1)  clarify that only actively charging plug-in electric vehicles are permitted to park in designated electric vehicle charging spaces;

      (2)  remove a provision of the bill that requires the space to be clearly marked: as designated for electric vehicle charging only, and to indicate that violators are subject to a penalty; and instead require the space to be clearly marked with signage and pavement markings that are visible during the day and night that indicate that the space is reserved for plug-in electric vehicles that are actively charging;

      (3)  establish that any non-electric vehicle or any plug-in electric vehicle not actively charging in an electric vehicle charging space will be subject to a fine of $55 for the first offense, $100 for the second offense, and $200 for the third and any subsequent offenses;

      (4)  clarify that towing of a vehicle in violation of the bill’s provisions is to be at the discretion of the municipality in which the electric vehicle charging space is located;

      (5)  change the definition of “electric vehicle charging location” to “electric vehicle charging space;” and

      (6)  update the title and synopsis of the bill.