Bill
A 4008
NJ A4008 requires the MVC and inspection facilities to give owners written notices of open recalls at inspection and on registration, funded by grants or manufacturer fees.
Note on discrepancy
- The bill number you provided (A4008) included a title about prohibiting sale of foods with Red Dye 3 and Red Dye 40 in certain schools, but the legislative documents attached to A4008 describe a different measure concerning motor vehicle safety recall notices. The summary below reflects the actual bill text and legislative materials provided (motor vehicle recall notification), not the food-dye title.
Summary — A4008 (motor vehicle safety recall notices)
Purpose
- Require the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) and official or licensed private motor vehicle inspection facilities to notify vehicle owners in writing when their vehicle has one or more open safety recalls, to increase owner awareness and encourage timely remedying of defects.
Key provisions
- Definitions: An “open recall” is a safety-related recall requiring repair or modification by an authorized dealer and for which manufacturer notification is required under 49 U.S.C. §§30118–30119. Excluded are recalls limited to labeling/owner’s manual notification or where the remedy is repurchase/financial compensation.
- Inspection-facility notices: During an inspection, official or licensed private inspection facilities must check NHTSA information and, if applicable, give the vehicle owner written notice at the time of inspection listing each open recall and stating that authorized dealers may repair the recall at no cost to the owner (except as provided in 49 U.S.C. §30120).
- MVC registration notices: Prior to issuing a registration (or when mailing a registration renewal notice), MVC must check NHTSA information and include written notice of all open recalls applicable to the vehicle (description + statement about dealer repairs at no cost, with the same statutory exception).
- Funding and fees (committee amendments): MVC must seek funding (including federal grants) to implement the law. If funding is insufficient, MVC’s Chief Administrator may require motor vehicle manufacturers doing business in NJ to pay an annual fee; total annual fee collections may not exceed MVC’s actual implementation costs. MVC must publish and provide to manufacturers documentation of those costs annually.
- Implementation contingency: MVC is not required to implement the bill’s provisions until it has received sufficient funding to cover costs.
- Liability: The act does not alter common-law liability of manufacturers or authorized dealers for recalls. It limits liability for MVC employees and private inspection facilities/owners for acts or omissions related to providing recall notices, except in cases of gross negligence.
- Effective date: First day of the seventh month after enactment; the Chief Administrator may take preparatory administrative actions earlier.
Who is affected
- Motor vehicle owners (at inspection and registration/renewal) — will receive written notice of open recalls.
- MVC — responsible for intake, checks, notice production, and administration; will incur implementation costs.
- Official and licensed private inspection facilities — must check recall status and issue notices at inspection.
- Motor vehicle manufacturers doing business in NJ — must assist in seeking grants and may be assessed an annual fee if grant/funding is insufficient.
- Authorized dealers — remain responsible for repairing recalls (typically at no cost to owners).
Fiscal and procedural aspects
- Office of Legislative Services (OLS) estimate: MVC will have an indeterminate increase in annual expenditures to provide notices; those costs are intended to be offset by available grants and the manufacturer fee mechanism, so the net fiscal impact to the State is expected to be neutral (implementation is contingent on receiving sufficient funding).
- Legislative actions/timeline:
- Introduced: 2024-03-07 (Assembly Transportation & Independent Authorities)
- Reported with committee amendments: 2024-10-21 (referred to Assembly Appropriations)
- Later referred to Education: 2025-01-30
- Sponsor: Assemblymember Amy Paulin (primary). Companion bill: S359 (Senate).
Implications and considerations
- The bill aims to increase owner awareness of active safety recalls through routine points of contact (inspections and registration mailings), potentially improving public safety and recall completion rates.
- Implementation hinges on funding; manufacturers may bear costs only if grants are insufficient. The liability protections are intended to limit exposure for MVC and inspection facilities, reserving manufacturer and dealer legal responsibility.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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