Beach Bill to Allow Reciprocal Agreement with Out of State Tolling Entities Advances

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senator James Beach that would authorize reciprocal agreements for enforcement of toll violations with authorities from other states passed the Senate Transportation Committee today.

“Each year millions of dollars in revenue are lost due to an inability to collect money owed to the state for toll violations,” said Senator Beach (Burlington/Camden). “By creating the opportunity for interstate cooperation, it is my hope we can get some of that money back for the State of New Jersey and help our neighboring states do the same.”

The bill, S-2597 would permit the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the South Jersey Transportation Authority, or the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission to enter into a reciprocity agreement with out-of-state tolling entities and other states to collect penalties and tolls. The out-of-state tolling entity would have to have its own procedures for collecting penalties and tolls on behalf of New Jersey. The bill also ensures that the agreement would include protections to New Jersey motorists’ rights to due process and appeals.

This bill would take effect immediately.

Today, it cleared the committee by a vote of 4-0-1 and next heads to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee for further consideration.