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A new bill, the "Motorist Fueling Choice and Convenience Act," has been reintroduced in New Jersey by State Senator Jon Bramnick, who is also a Republican gubernatorial candidate. This proposal seeks to allow self-service gas options at stations with four or more pumps while maintaining full-service options and assistance for individuals with disabilities between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. The bill also prohibits local governments from banning self-serve gas.
New Jersey remains the only U.S. state where self-serve gas is illegal, a law that has been in place since 1949 due to fire safety concerns. Previous attempts to pass similar legislation, including one in 2022, have failed. Senator Bramnick emphasized that the current bill ensures full-service options will not be eliminated, addressing concerns from past proposals.
However, the bill faces opposition from some, including Senate President Nick Scutari, who cited a poll indicating that most New Jersey residents prefer having someone else pump their gas.
The bill's future remains uncertain, as it will need to gain support from both lawmakers and the public to move forward.