The Senate Transportation Committee advanced legislation sponsored by Senators Jennifer Beck and Christopher “Kip” Bateman to help prevent fuel shortages during a State of Emergency.
“This legislation will help assure that we never again experience such a devastating and crippling fuel shortage as we did during and in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy,” said Beck (R-Monmouth). “Fuel merchants in other states will be aware that they can immediately distribute fuel in our state when we are vulnerable and need it most.”
The senators’ bipartisan S-313 automatically suspends during a State of Emergency the distributor’s license requirement to import or deliver motor fuel from another state into New Jersey for 10 days or a time period determined by a governor via executive order. Under the bill, non-licensed distributors must document their New Jersey sales and pay all applicable state taxes.
“In the wake of a natural disaster it is critical to recovery efforts and public well-being that there be adequate fuel supplies,” said Bateman (R-Somerset, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex). “This preventive measure will go a long way in making sure there’s no delay in bringing in fuel to communities that need it in the aftermath of crippling storms.”
S-313 now heads to the full Senate, which unanimously passed it last legislative session.
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