Chaparro Sponsors Legislation To Permit Motorists To Pump Their Own Gas In NJ

You all probably realize that when you’re on vacation, or driving for work, or driving around in a car outside of New Jersey, and you need gas, you can fill up your own tank at the gasoline station.  Well, here in New Jersey you can’t legally pump your own fuel.  50 states, and New Jersey is the only one where you can’t pump your own fuel.

Seems ridiculous, doesn’t it?

Well, Hoboken Assemblywoman Annette Chaparro is co-sponsoring a bipartisan bill which would change the law in the Garden State so you can fill up your own car.

The proposed legislation is called the Motorist Fueling Choice and Convenience Act.  

The legislation would give New Jersey gas stations the option of offering self-serve pumps.  It would still require stations with more than four gas dispensers to continue to offer full-service gas pumps.  Good news for their employees who would retain their employment.

In addition to Assemblywoman Chaparro, the bill is prime sponsored by Assembly members Carol Murphy and Ned Thomson, while co-sponsored by Robert Clifton.

By moving to a hybrid model, the price of gasoline in New Jersey is expected to drop by at least 15 cents per gallon, according to the bill’s sponsors.  “It is shameful that so many gas stations have had to close even during daytime hours, because they do not have enough staff to keep their stations open,” Chaparro said in a statement. “It’s time to save our small business community and get rid of the stigma.”