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Bill > A3679


NJ A3679

NJ A3679
Creates temporary grant program for electric vehicle fire suppression technology.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill creates a Statewide pilot program to test new technology for fighting fires emanating from electric vehicles. The National Transportation Safety Board issued a report in 2020 of its investigations into the difficulties experienced by fire departments attempting to extinguish electric vehicle fires. Specifically, the board cited increased risk to first responders of stored energy reigniting after all signs of fire and smoke have been put out. The National Fire Protection Association emergency field guide recommends large, sustained volumes of water to extinguish high-voltage battery fires and highlights the difficulty of applying extinguishing agents directly onto the burning cells of an electric vehicle. Emergent technology exists and should be examined as a resource in the repository of methods available to New Jersey's firefighters. This bill attempts to address current challenges by equipping select fire departments throughout the State with the newest technology for one year and requiring them to report their findings and recommendations to the Division of Fire Safety.

AI Summary

This bill establishes a temporary, one-year pilot program managed by the Division of Fire Safety to address the challenges firefighters face when extinguishing electric vehicle fires, a concern highlighted by the National Transportation Safety Board due to the risk of reignition from stored energy. The program will award grants of up to $5,000 to county fire marshals, or county code enforcers if no marshal is appointed, to purchase and test new technologies and methods for fighting these fires. These funds, totaling $115,000 and sourced from the Universal Service Fund, will also cover administrative costs. Participating fire departments will be required to submit a report after one year detailing the technology used, its effectiveness, and whether additional equipment would be beneficial, providing valuable data to improve firefighting strategies for electric vehicles.

Committee Categories

Transportation and Infrastructure

Sponsors (7)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee (on 01/13/2026)

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