TRENTON, N.J. — Assemblyman Kenyatta Stewart introduced legislation to protect New Jersey consumers from excessive and hidden refueling charges imposed by motor vehicle rental companies. The bill establishes clear limits on what rental companies may charge when a vehicle is returned without a full tank and increases transparency throughout the refueling process. Assemblymen William Sampson and Al Abdelaziz are co-prime sponsors of the legislation.

"New Jersey families shouldn't have to worry about surprise fees after returning a rental car," said Assemblyman Kenyatta Stewart. "When someone rents a vehicle, they deserve to know exactly how refueling costs will be calculated and to pay only for the gasoline actually used—not inflated charges or unnecessary administrative fees."

Under the legislation, a rental car company would:

• Charge renters only for the amount of gasoline necessary to return the fuel tank to the level it was at when the vehicle was rented.
• Be prohibited from charging additional administrative, service, or processing fees related to refueling.
• Be required to disclose, before the rental begins, how refueling charges will be calculated and the applicable gasoline rate.
• Provide renters, upon request, with an itemized receipt showing the amount of gasoline added, the per-gallon price charged, and the total refueling cost.

The bill also provides strong consumer protections by making violations subject to New Jersey's Consumer Fraud Act. Companies that violate the law could face civil penalties, cease-and-desist orders, punitive damages, and treble damages awarded to affected consumers.

"This legislation creates a fair and consistent standard across the industry," Stewart added. "Consumers should never have to guess whether they're being overcharged. By requiring transparency and capping excessive refueling costs, we're ensuring renters receive honest treatment and clear information."