SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 359

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 15, 2024

      The Senate Transportation Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 359.

      As reported, this bill requires an official motor vehicle inspection facility, or licensed private inspection facility, to provide written notice to the owner of a motor vehicle being inspected of all open recalls applicable to the motor vehicle at the time the motor vehicle is inspected.  The recall notice is required to describe each open recall and state that each open recall may be repaired by certain motor vehicle dealers at no cost to the owner, except in certain circumstances.

     The bill also requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission) to provide written notice to the owner of a motor vehicle, at the time a vehicle is registered or upon mailing a motor vehicle’s registration renewal notice, of all open recalls applicable to the motor vehicle.  The recall notice is required to describe each open recall and state that each open recall may be repaired by certain motor vehicle dealers at no cost to the owner, except in certain circumstances.

     Nothing in the bill alters the liability under common law of any motor vehicle manufacturer or motor vehicle dealer approved by a manufacturer to repair an open recall.  The bill limits the liability of the Chief Administrator of the commission and employees of the commission for acts or omissions related to open recall notices provided pursuant to the provisions of the bill, except in cases of gross negligence.