Bill > A649

Introduced Session

This bill allows a law enforcement officer conducting a motor vehicle stop to immediately impound a motor vehicle if the officer determines that the motor vehicle is being operated without liability insurance. A motor vehicle registrant may claim the impounded motor vehicle by providing to the issuing law enforcement agency an insurance identification card or other satisfactory proof of insurance. Under current law, a motor vehicle may be impounded within 24 hours if the operator fails to display proof of insurance to the law enforcement officer. This bill provides that an officer also may immediately impound a vehicle if the officer determines that the operator does not have liability insurance. The bill allows the motor vehicle registrant to claim the impounded motor vehicle by providing to the issuing law enforcement agency an insurance identification card or other satisfactory proof of insurance. If the registrant fails to claim the impounded motor vehicle and pay the reasonable costs of removal and storage by midnight of the 30th day following impoundment, along with a fine of $100 to cover the administrative costs of the municipality in which the violation occurred, and after a hearing, the municipality may sell the motor vehicle at public auction. The municipality is to give notice to the registrant of the motor vehicle by certified mail and by publication at least five days before the date of the sale, in one or more newspapers published in this State and circulating in the municipality in which the motor vehicle has been impounded. At any time prior to the sale, the registrant or other person entitled to the motor vehicle may reclaim possession of it upon providing satisfactory proof of motor vehicle liability insurance coverage and payment of the reasonable storage costs and any outstanding fines or penalties. The bill requires proceeds obtained from the sale of a motor vehicle in excess of the amount owed to the municipality to be returned to the registrant of the vehicle.

Committee Categories

Sean Kean (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document