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Bill

A 1078

Enacts the Drink Up Act

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Chantel Jackson

Requires manufacturers to stamp VIN on every catalytic converter installed in cars sold in New Jersey.

REFERRED TO EDUCATION
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Bill Summary · A 1078

Summary of Bill A 1078 — Enacts the Drink Up Act

Overview

Bill A 1078, titled the Drink Up Act, is currently referred to the Education Committee in the New Jersey Legislature. Described as a bill concerning motor vehicles, it would require manufacturers to stamp or engrave the vehicle identification number (VIN) onto every catalytic converter installed in motor vehicles sold in New Jersey. The introduced version was filed on January 9, 2024. The bill’s status has shown referrals to different committees, most recently on January 8, 2025, when it was referred to the Education Committee.

What the bill would do

  • Mandate: Every motor vehicle manufacturer operating in New Jersey must stamp or engrave the vehicle’s VIN onto each catalytic converter installed in any motor vehicle sold in the state.
  • Scope of “manufacturer”: Defines a manufacturer as a person engaged in manufacturing or assembling motor vehicles who, under normal business conditions, would manufacture or assemble at least 10 new motor vehicles in a year.
  • Compliance status: A violation of these requirements would be treated as an unlawful practice under New Jersey’s consumer fraud act (P.L.1960, c.39; C.56:8-1 et seq.).

Enforcement, penalties, and remedies

  • Penalties for violations:
    • First offense: up to $10,000 in monetary penalties.
    • Subsequent offenses: up to $20,000 per offense.
  • Additional enforcement tools: The Attorney General could issue cease-and-desist orders; plaintiffs could be entitled to punitive damages, treble damages, and costs.
  • This framework situates violations under the state’s consumer protection regime, offering civil remedies and potential damages.

Effective date

  • The act would take effect on the first day of the sixth month after enactment.

Legislative history and sponsors

  • Introduced: January 9, 2024 (Assembly).
  • Primary sponsor: Sterley S. Stanley (and William B. Sampson; Chantel Jackson listed as a primary sponsor).
  • Cosponsors: Joe Danielsen; Reginald W. Atkins.
  • Related bills noted: A 10114 (prior-session) and A 3940 (prior-session).

Potential impact and considerations

  • Manufacturers: If enacted, applicable motor vehicle manufacturers would need to modify production lines to stamp or engrave VINs onto catalytic converters, potentially increasing costs and requiring traceability processes.
  • Consumers and enforcement: The provision creates a clear consumer protection mechanism with strong penalties and the possibility of treble damages, incentivizing compliance and potentially aiding in fraud prevention or enforcement related to catalytic converters.
  • Policy context: The bill’s title, the Drink Up Act, appears to be the formal label, but the substantive content centers on catalytic converter VIN stamping.

If you’d like, I can provide a concise one-page briefing or a side-by-side comparison with related bills (A 10114, A 3940) to highlight similarities, differences, and potential policy implications.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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