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TagsBY TOM HESTER SR.
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
The Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee Monday approved two proposals designed to protect motorists when it comes to buying gas and auto repair shop storage.
One measure (A-3862) would require gas stations to clearly display credit and cash prices for gas.
The second bill (A-3749) would prohibit towing companies from charging storage fees for days on which they’re closed.
A-3862 requires that price signs posted by a retail motor fuel dealer shall include the price per gallon for both cash and credit card purchases. Under the bill a retail dealer who violates the signage requirements shall be subject to a penalty of not more than $1,500 for a first offense and not more than $3,000 for a second and any subsequent offense.
“This bill has one simple goal in mind – consumer fairness,” Assemblyman Vincent said Prieto (D-Hudson) said. “If retailers are going to charge two separate prices, they should have qualms about advertising two separate prices.”
“Consumers deserve to be made fully aware of whether they could be charged separate prices, depending on how they pay,” Assemblyman Ruben J. Ramos (D-Hudson) added. “It’s that simple, especially amid continued concern about increasing gas prices.”
Prieto and Ramos are co-sponsoring the legislation with Assemblymen Jack Connors (D-Burlington) and Paul Moriarty (D-Gloucester).
Ramos is also sponsoring the towing fee bill.
Under the bill, charging such a storage fee would be an unlawful practice, if the car was towed without the owner’s consent.
An unlawful practice under the state Consumer Fraud Act is punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more than $20,000 for any subsequent offense. In addition, a violation can result in cease and desist orders issued by the state attorney general, the assessment of punitive damages and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured.
“This is a straightforward consumer protection measure,” Ramos said. “It’s absurd to think people would be charged storage fees on days the towing company is closed, making it impossible to retrieve their vehicles. That’s wrong and this bill will fix it.”
