SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 3035

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MARCH 17, 2025

      The Senate Transportation Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 3035 (1R).

      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 if:  (1) 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) the space is clearly marked with signage and pavement markings indicating the space is reserved for plug-in electric vehicles that are actively charging.  The bill provides that 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.  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.  In the event that a municipality exercises its discretion to tow a vehicle from an electric vehicle charging space, the registered owner or lessee of the vehicle is to be responsible for all towing and storage costs.

      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.  A “plug-in electric vehicle” is defined as a vehicle that has a battery, or an equivalent energy storage device, that can be charged from an electricity supply external to the vehicle with an electric plug, and includes a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.  A “plug-in hybrid electric vehicle” is defined as a vehicle that can be charged from a source of electricity external to the vehicle through an electric plug, but is not exclusively powered by electricity.

      As amended and reported by the committee, Assembly Bill No. 3035 (1R) is identical to Senate Bill No. 4134, which was also amended and reported by the committee on this date.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to:

      (1)  clarify that, in the event that a municipality exercises its discretion to tow an individual’s vehicle from an electric vehicle charging space, the registered owner or lessee of the vehicle is responsible for paying all towing and storage costs;

      (2)  define “plug-in electric vehicle” and “plug-in hybrid electric vehicle”; and

      (3)  make technical corrections.