Latest news with #RetailGasolineDispensingSafetyAct
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Likely unpopular ‘Dracula bill' to allow people to pump their own gas introduced again in New Jersey
A state senator in New Jersey reintroduced a bill this week that would allow Garden State residents and visitors to pump their own gas — but even the author is dubious about its chances of making it past committee. The bill, proposed by Republican Sen. Jon Bramnick, would require gas stations in the state with four or more pumps to have both full and self-service options. An attendant would still be onsite to help anyone with a disability, but beyond that, people would be free to fill up their gas on their own. Full-service gas stations have become a hallmark of New Jersey as the last state standing that prohibits self-service fueling. Motorists pumping their own gas has been illegal in the state since 1949's Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act, which in part aimed to limit customer exposure to fuel because of its high flammability. In 2023, Oregon lifted its 72-year-old ban prohibiting people from pumping their own gas, relegating New Jersey to a league of its own. New Jerseyans aren't exactly up in arms about the matter, though. 'A, number 1, it's convenient when it's cold or it's raining. Number 2, it's convenient when it's hot. And number 3, we need jobs,' full-service hold-out Tina Giannini from Washington Township told CBS News. Bramnick is abundantly aware that his proposal is remarkably unpopular, even among his own constituents. Still, he thinks expanding fueling options would be more convenient for everyone, but he still respects the passion that full-service fans hold tight to. 'I get it because I've seen a few four-letter words in my legislative office on some emails. But I think it's the right thing to bring up the discussion again,' Bramnick told the station. A similar bipartisan bill was proposed in 2022, but it didn't even make it out of committee. Bramnick knows his bill's chances aren't the best, but he is holding on to hope. 'This could be a Dracula bill. It could never see the light of day. But I'm gonna give it a shot,' Bramnick said.
CBS News
28-03-2025
- Business
- CBS News
New Jersey state senator reintroduces bill to allow people to pump their own gas
New Jersey's days as the last state in the U.S. where drivers are not allowed to pump their own gas could soon come to an end. Talk of gas-pumping in Garden State can really bring out the passions in people, especially when it comes to people pumping their gas . Just ask state Sen. Jon Bramnick. "I have heard from a lot of people who do not want to pump their own gas, I'll tell you that," Bramnick said. That passion didn't stop the Republican senator and gubernatorial candidate from reintroducing a bill this week that would give people in New Jersey the option to pump their own gas. Under the proposal, gas stations in the Garden State with four or more pumps would have to offer both full and self-service options . There would be a requirement to have an attendant on-site to help anyone with a disability fuel up. "The people who want to pump their own gas are a lot more quiet, right? It's almost like, 'Hey I like to pump my own gas,'" Bramnick said. "And then people go, 'I don't want to pump my own gas.' That's why we're going to have two lines." Bramnick says he sees it as an added convenience for people, similar to self-service checkouts at grocery stores. He thinks it's the right time to bring it up for discussion again as people get used to having those options, but he acknowledged the passion of people who like the system the way it is. "I get it because I've seen a few four-letter words in my legislative office on some emails," Bramnick said. "But I think it's the right thing to bring up the discussion again." It has been illegal to pump your own gas in New Jersey since 1949 under the Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act . The law cites safety as a concern, reading "Because of the fire hazards directly associated with dispensing fuel, it is in the public interest that gasoline operators have the control needed over that activity." In 2025, however, New Jersey is the only state in the nation where people are barred from pumping their own gas. Many people in the state see it as just part of Jersey culture. "I think it's a Jersey thing, too. You know what I mean?" one man said Friday at the Wawa in Bellmawr. It wasn't hard to find people willing to talk about the proposal at the Bellmawr Wawa. Most who spoke with CBS News Philadelphia like things the way they are — the top reasons were weather and jobs. "A, number 1, it's convenient when it's cold or it's raining," Tina Giannini from Washington Township said. "Number 2, it's convenient when it's hot. And number 3, we need jobs." "In Philly, you can't get it, pump your own gas. It's cold outside, too hot, you got to get out of your car," a man named Ron from Sicklerville said. "It's more convenient having it done in Jersey." On the job concerns, Bramnick notes gas stations would have to keep attendants on-staff, but acknowledged there could be some loss. "I don't think jobs in New Jersey depend on whether or not we have a few less attendants," he said. "I don't think that's going to change the job market." A similar bill was introduced in the state assembly in 2022, which didn't even make it out of committee. Still, some we spoke with were open to the proposal. "It's just as easy for me to jump out and pump it than waiting for somebody," George Thorp from Brooklawn said. "Sometimes the stations get busy (53) and you have to wait." "I like the thought of if we could do it both ways," Sharon Goldie from Bellmawr said. The proposal still has a long way to go before it could become law. It still has to get out of committee, be passed by both the State Senate and Assembly, and be signed by Gov. Phil Murphy. The governor's office did not comment on the proposal Friday. But Bramnick says it's at least worth having a conversation. "This could be a Dracula bill. It could never see the light of day," Bramnick said. "But I'm gonna give it a shot."
