SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 288

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MARCH 19, 2026

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 288.

      As reported by the committee, this bill requires the Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission to offer promotional payment incentives every three years to drivers who have failed to pay motor vehicle surcharges levied for accumulated motor vehicle penalty points and for violations or convictions for which penalty points are not assessed.  Under current law, the chief administrator is required to offer these incentives periodically.  This bill requires the incentives to be offered every three years. 

     Under current law, these promotional payment incentives may include waivers of down payments necessary to satisfy any surcharge suspension, waivers of interest for the payment of the full principal amount of any surcharges owed to the chief administrator, or any other incentive that the chief administrator establishes.   The bill preserves provisions of current law that prohibit promotional payment incentives for surcharges levied against drivers convicted of intoxicated driving or failing to consent to a chemical test to determine their blood alcohol content.

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.