WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

S 2292

Enacts the whale awareness act

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Erik Bottcher and 8 co-sponsors

The bill requires owners of low‑speed electric bicycles and scooters garaged in NJ to register with the MVC and carry specified insurance, including PIP and UM coverage.

SUBSTITUTED BY A8515A
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 2292

Summary — S 2292 (Senate Bill)

Note on documents: The bill information header lists the title “Enacts the whale awareness act,” but the bill text, committee reports, and fiscal note provided all address regulation of low‑speed electric bicycles and low‑speed electric scooters. This summary treats the substantive text in the record, which concerns registration and insurance requirements for low‑speed electric bicycles and scooters.

Purpose

S 2292 requires owners of low‑speed electric bicycles and low‑speed electric scooters that are principally garaged in New Jersey to register those vehicles with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) and to maintain specified insurance coverages. The intent is to incorporate these devices more fully into motor vehicle and insurance regulatory frameworks to improve accountability and pedestrian/roadway protections.

Key provisions

  • Definitions:

    • “Low‑speed electric bicycle” — two‑ or three‑wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and electric motor < 750 watts; class 1 (pedal‑assist, assist stops at 20 mph) and class 2 (may be throttle‑propelled, not capable of providing assistance above 20 mph).
    • “Low‑speed electric scooter” — standing scooter with handlebars and electric motor with max speed < 19 mph.

  • Registration:

    • Owners must register low‑speed e‑bicycles and e‑scooters with MVC.
    • MVC may issue registration certificates for approved types after proper application and payment.
    • Registrations expire on the last day of the 11th calendar month after issuance.
    • MVC may suspend or revoke registrations for violations.
    • MVC required to maintain records and mail application/renewal forms to owners.

  • Insurance requirements:

    • Liability insurance policies that cover motor vehicles or motorized bicycles are explicitly required to include coverage for low‑speed e‑bikes and e‑scooters.
    • Owners/registrants of such devices principally garaged in NJ must maintain: liability insurance, personal injury protection (PIP) benefits for pedestrians (per NJ PIP law), and uninsured motorist coverage.

  • Operation and other rules:

    • Operation prohibited unless vehicle is registered.
    • Existing statutory provisions applicable to bicycles largely apply to low‑speed e‑bikes and e‑scooters (with some exceptions).
    • Operators are not required to possess a driver’s license (this provision remains).

Who is affected

  • Owners and operators of low‑speed electric bicycles and scooters principally garaged in New Jersey (must register and insure).
  • New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission — administrative workload to issue/track registrations and mail renewals.
  • Insurance companies — must provide/extend required coverages to these device owners.
  • Pedestrians and other road users — potentially greater protection through mandatory insurance and registration.

Fiscal and administrative impact

  • Office of Legislative Services (OLS) estimates indeterminate but likely modest annual increases in State expenditures (MVC administrative costs) and revenues (registration fees).
  • Fee established in the bill: $8 for initial registration and each renewal.
  • OLS provided an example: 500 registrations would generate about $4,000 annually; actual fiscal impact depends on number of devices registered.
  • MVC may be able to incorporate the program into existing systems, limiting implementation costs; however, ongoing mailing and recordkeeping will create modest administrative costs.

Legislative status and timeline (selected)

  • Introduced / referred to transportation committee: January 2024.
  • Reported favorably by Senate Transportation Committee: February 15, 2024.
  • Passed the Senate: May 21, 2025; delivered to Assembly May 21, 2025.
  • Referred to Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee: May 22, 2025.
  • Later procedural actions appear in 2025 (calendar placements, committee reports, hearing scheduled Oct 29, 2025). Status in Assembly committee as of the latest entry: REFERRED TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION.

Sponsors and related legislation

  • Sponsors (federal-style listing in record includes): Jim Banks (primary), Pete Harckham (primary), with cosponsors including Timothy M. Kaine, Andy Kim, Jon Husted, Patricia Canzoneri‑Fitzpatrick.
  • Related/companion measures listed: S 2529, HR 4273, A 3359, A 8515; also SD 1591 is shown as a replacement in the record.

If you want, I can prepare a one‑page fact sheet for owners explaining registration steps, costs, and insurance requirements.

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

Sign in to ask a question.