TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey legislature has sent a bill prohibiting the sale of unsafe used tires in the state to Gov. Chris Christie for his signature.
New Jersey Assembly Bill 3896 would impose fines on businesses that sell tires for road use that exhibit any of several unsafe conditions such as worn-out tread, visible damage or improper repairs, according to the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA).
AB 3896 contains most of the provisions recommended by the USTMA, which supported the bill along with the Tire Industry Association (TIA) and the New Jersey Gas Station-C Store-Automotive Association (NJGCA).
The New Jersey Senate amended the bill twice, both times at the recommendation of the Christie administration, and the governor's office has not indicated any concerns about the legislation, according to Dan Zielinski, USTMA senior vice president, public affairs.
The USTMA's New Jersey representative is working to schedule a meeting with Christie's staff to urge the governor to sign the bill into law, Mr. Zielinski said.
The New Jersey bill provides for fines of up to $500 for a first offense.
By definition, tires affected by the legislation include those that:
- have a tread depth of less than 1/16th inch measurable in any groove;
- show any damage exposing the reinforcing plies of the tire, including any cuts, cracks, bulges, punctures, scrapes, or wear;
- have any improper repairs, including, but not limited to any repair to the sidewall or bead area of the tire; any repair made in the tread shoulder or belt edge area of the tire; any puncture that has not been sealed or patched on the inside and repaired with a cured rubber stem through the outside of the tire; or any puncture repair of damage larger than 1/4th inch;
- show evidence of prior use of a temporary tire sealant without evidence of a subsequent proper repair;
- have defaced or missing tire identification number;
- have inner liner or bead damage; or
- show indication of internal separation, such as bulges or local areas of irregular tread wear.
The Texas legislature passed a used tire bill in May, but Texas Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed it. "Texas does not need to impose new criminal penalties on people who put tires on cars," Mr. Abbott said in his veto message.
The Ohio legislature, meanwhile, is considering its own used tire bill.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed a bill earlier this year that officially defined waste tires to prevent them from being sold as used tires.