Bill Text: NJ A5350 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Directs BPU to establish rebate program for purchase of electric bicycles; appropriates $250,000.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2023-03-30 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee [A5350 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-A5350-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman ROBERT J. KARABINCHAK
District 18 (Middlesex)
Assemblyman JAMES J. KENNEDY
District 22 (Middlesex, Somerset and Union)
SYNOPSIS
Directs BPU to establish rebate program for purchase of electric bicycles; appropriates $250,000.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning rebates for electric bicycles, supplementing Title 48 of the Revised Statutes, and making an appropriation.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. As used in this section:
"Board" means the Board of Public Utilities.
"Eligible low-speed electric bicycle" means a two or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts, with a purchase price of not less than $1,000, that meets the requirements of one of the following classifications: "class 1 low-speed electric bicycle," which means a low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour; or "class 2 low-speed electric bicycle,'' which means a low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
b. No later than one year after the effective date of this section, the Board of Public Utilities shall establish and implement a program to provide rebates to certain residents of the State for the purchase of eligible low-speed electric bicycles. The purpose of the rebate program shall be to reduce emissions from motor vehicles by encouraging the purchase and use of low-speed electric bicycles in urban areas for short distance trips. The board shall advertise the availability of rebates pursuant to this section in the same manner that it advertises the availability of incentives for plug-in electric vehicles pursuant to P.L.2019, c.362 (C.48:25-1 et seq.).
c. (1) The rebate shall be in an amount of up to $2,000 but in no case shall the rebate exceed the purchase price of the eligible low-speed electric bicycle.
(2) A rebate shall be made available only to a resident of a municipality with a population over 70,000.
(3) A rebate shall be provided to a person who purchases an eligible low-speed electric bicycle in two installments. The first installment shall be for 50 percent of the rebate amount to be paid upon approval by the board of an application that meets the requirements established in this section, and the second installment shall be for 50 percent of the rebate amount at least one year after the first installment payment of the rebate upon receipt by the board of proof of use and continued ownership of the eligible low-speed electric bicycle for at least one year.
d. The board shall determine the types or brands of eligible low-speed electric bicycles eligible for the rebate pursuant to this section and the manner and form for residents to apply for, and if eligible, receive a rebate pursuant to this section. The board may establish other requirements and parameters for the rebate program as it deems necessary and reasonable to further the goals of the program.
e. The board may adopt, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the implementation of the rebate program established pursuant to this section.
2. There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of Public Utilities the sum of $250,000 for the purposes of providing rebates pursuant to the program established in section 1 of this act.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill would require the Board of Public Utilities (board) to establish and implement a program to provide rebates to certain residents of the State for the purchase of eligible low-speed electric bicycles. The purpose of the rebate program is to reduce emissions from motor vehicles by encouraging the purchase and use of low-speed electric bicycles in urban areas for short distance trips. Rebates may be made available only to residents in the State of municipalities with a population over 70,000 in an amount up to $2,000 but may not exceed the purchase price of the eligible low-speed electric bicycle.
Under the program, a rebate would be provided to a person who purchases an eligible low-speed electric bicycle in two installments. The first installment would be for 50 percent of the rebate amount to be paid upon approval by the board of an application that meets the requirements established in the bill, and the second installment would be for 50 percent of the rebate amount at least one year after the first installment payment of the rebate upon receipt by the board of proof of use and continued ownership of the eligible low-speed electric bicycle for at least one year. The bill provides that the board would determine the types or brands of eligible low-speed electric bicycles eligible for the rebate and the manner and form for residents to apply for, and if eligible, receive a rebate pursuant to the bill. Finally, the bill authorizes the board to establish other requirements and parameters for the rebate program as it deems necessary and reasonable to further the goals of the program.
The bill appropriates $250,000 from the General Fund to the Board of Public Utilities for the purposes of providing rebates pursuant to the program established in the bill.
