Bill Text: NJ A2954 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Authorizes creation of vertical motorcycle license plates.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-20 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee [A2954 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-A2954-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman PARKER SPACE
District 24 (Morris, Sussex and Warren)
SYNOPSIS
Authorizes creation of vertical motorcycle license plates.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning motorcycle license plates, amending R.S.39:3-33, and supplementing chapter 3 of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. R.S.39:3-33 is amended to read as follows:
39:3-33. The owner of an automobile which is driven on the public highways of this State shall display not less than 12 inches nor more than 48 inches from the ground in a horizontal position, and in such a way as not to swing, an identification mark or marks to be furnished by the [division] commission; provided, that if two marks are issued [they] one mark shall be displayed on the front and one mark shall be displayed on the rear of the vehicle; and provided, further, that if only one mark is issued it shall be displayed on the rear of the vehicle; and provided, further, that the rear identification mark may be displayed more than 48 inches from the ground on tank trucks, trailers, and other commercial vehicles carrying inflammable liquids and on sanitation vehicles which are used to collect, transport, and dispose of garbage, solid wastes, and refuse.
Motorcycles shall also display an identification mark or identification marks in a horizontal position or in a vertical position, as prescribed pursuant to section 2 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill); provided, that if two marks are issued [they] one mark shall be displayed on the front and one mark shall be displayed on the rear of the motorcycle; and provided, further, that if only one mark is issued it shall be displayed on the rear of the motorcycle.
The identification mark or marks shall contain the number of the registration certificate of the vehicle and shall be of such design and material as prescribed pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1989, c.202 (C.39:3-33.9). All identification marks shall be kept clear and distinct and free from grease, dust, or other blurring matter, so as to be plainly visible at all times of the day and night.
[No] A person shall not drive a motor vehicle which has a license plate frame or identification marker holder that conceals or otherwise obscures any part of any marking imprinted upon the vehicle's registration plate or any part of any insert which the [director] chief administrator, as hereinafter provided, issues to be inserted in and attached to that registration plate or marker.
The [director] chief administrator is authorized and empowered to issue registration plate inserts, to be inserted in and attached to the registration plates or markers described herein. [They] The registration plate inserts may be issued in the place of new registration plates or markers; and inscribed thereon, in numerals, shall be the year in which registration of the vehicle has been granted.
[No] A person shall not drive a motor vehicle if the owner of [which] the motor vehicle has not complied with the provisions of [this subtitle] Title 39 concerning the proper registration and identification thereof[, nor] . A person shall not drive a motor vehicle which displays a fictitious number, or a number other than that designated for the motor vehicle in its registration certificate. During the period of time between the application for motor vehicle registration and the receipt of registration plates from the [division, no] commission, a person shall not affix a plate or marker for the purpose of advertisement in the position on a motor vehicle normally reserved for the display of the registration plates required by this section if the plate or marker is designed with a combination of letters, numbers, colors, or words to resemble the registration plates required by this section.
A person convicted of displaying a fictitious number, as prohibited herein, shall be subject to a fine not exceeding [$500.00] $500 or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 60 days.
A person violating any other provision of this section shall be subject to a fine not exceeding [$100.00] $100. In default of the payment thereof, there shall be imposed an imprisonment in the county jail for a period not exceeding 10 days. A person convicted of a second offense of the same violation may be fined in double the amount herein prescribed for the first offense and may, in default of the payment thereof, be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not exceeding 20 days. These penalties shall not apply to the display of a fictitious number.
(cf: P.L.1989, c.202, s.1)
2. (New section) a. Upon proper application, the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission shall issue registration plates that are to be displayed in a vertical position for any motorcycle owned or leased and registered in the State. The vertical motorcycle registration plates shall contain an identification mark or identification marks to be furnished by the commission arranged in a vertical alignment. The vertical motorcycle registration plates shall be subject to the provisions of R.S.39:3-33, except as hereinafter otherwise specifically provided.
A vertical motorcycle registration plate shall only be displayed in a vertical position and shall not be displayed in a horizontal position. A registration plate for a motorcycle that contains an identification mark or identification marks arranged in a horizontal alignment shall only be displayed in a horizontal position and shall not be displayed in a vertical position.
b. Application for issuance of vertical motorcycle registration plates shall be made to the chief administrator on forms and in a manner prescribed by the chief administrator. In order to be deemed complete, an application shall be accompanied by a fee of $20, payable to the commission, which shall be in addition to the fees otherwise prescribed by law for the registration of a motorcycle.
c. The chief administrator shall annually certify to the State Treasurer the average cost per set of vertical motorcycle registration plates incurred in the immediately preceding year by the commission in producing, issuing, and publicizing the availability of the vertical motorcycle registration plates. The annual certification of the average cost per set of vertical motorcycle registration plates shall be approved by the Joint Budget Oversight Committee, or its successor.
d. The chief administrator shall notify eligible motorists of the opportunity to obtain vertical motorcycle registration plates by publicizing the availability of the vertical motorcycle registration plates on the website of the commission.
3. This act shall take effect immediately, but shall remain inoperative until the first day of the 12th month following enactment. The chief administrator may take anticipatory actions in advance of that date as may be necessary for the timely implementation of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).
STATEMENT
This bill authorizes the Chief Administrator (chief administrator) of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission) to issue license plates for motorcycles, which are to be displayed in a vertical position (vertical motorcycle license plates). The vertical motorcycle license plates are to contain the identification mark or marks, which are furnished by the commission, arranged in a vertical alignment. There is an application fee of $20 for the vertical motorcycle license plates, which is to be in addition to the fees otherwise prescribed by law for the registration of a motorcycle.
The chief administrator is required to annually certify the average cost per set of vertical motorcycle license plates incurred in the immediately preceding year by the commission in producing, issuing, and publicizing the availability of the vertical motorcycle license plates. The chief administrator is to notify eligible motorists of the opportunity to obtain vertical motorcycle license plates by publicizing the availability of the vertical motorcycle license plates on the website of the commission.
Under the bill, vertical motorcycle license plates are to only be displayed in a vertical position and are not to be displayed in a horizontal position. A license plate for a motorcycle that contains an identification mark or identification marks arranged in a horizontal alignment are to only be displayed in a horizontal position and are not to be displayed in a vertical position.
