SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2292

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 15, 2024

      The Senate Transportation Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 2292.

      As reported, this bill requires low-speed electric bicycles and low-speed electric scooters to be registered with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) and to be insured.

      The bill prohibits the operation of a low-speed electric bicycle or low-speed electric scooter unless the low-speed electric bicycle or low-speed electric scooter is registered by the owner thereof.

      The bill authorizes the MVC to grant a registration certificate to the owner of a low-speed electric bicycle or low-speed electric scooter, provided that the application for registration has been properly submitted, the registration fee has been paid, and the low-speed electric bicycle or low-speed electric scooter is of a type approved by the MVC.  The bill provides that the registration expires on the last day of the 11th calendar month following the calendar month in which the certificate was issued.

      The bill requires the owner or registered owner of a low-speed electric bicycle or low-speed electric scooter registered or principally garaged in this State to maintain liability insurance coverage, personal injury protection coverage for pedestrians, and uninsured motorist coverage.

      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.