Assembly committee advances bill boosting penalties for repeated limousine safety violations

The Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee voted to release Assembly bill A1552, which would increase penalties for repeated or willful violations of New Jersey’s limousine safety laws.

The bill targets serious offenses such as operating without the required license, permitting a driver without a required license to operate, failing to maintain required insurance, exceeding a vehicle’s passenger capacity and operating without inspection or registration. Under the measure, a third or subsequent offense would carry a $7,500 fine, at least a six‑month driver‑license suspension and immediate impoundment of the vehicle involved, the chair said when the bill was read into the record.

“Post‑COVID, we have seen an abundance of unlicensed, uninsured people operating makeshift transportation companies out of their homes,” Mike Rose, president of the Chauffeur Transportation Association of New Jersey, told the committee in support. “These folks are doing so with no regard for passenger safety … By putting these stricter penalties in place, hopefully we’ll send a clear message that passenger safety is of paramount importance.”

Rose said his association represents more than 3,000 licensed operators in New Jersey and offered to help the legislature raise public awareness about compliance. After brief member questions, a motion to release the bill passed and the committee recorded the votes to send A1552 forward.

The committee did not debate changes to the bill’s substantive language during the hearing. Next steps for the measure include consideration on the Assembly floor or committee referral as determined by the legislative calendar.