2/4/08-A bill in the Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee would change how the state compensates hazmat haulers.
Sponsored by Assemblyman John Burzichelli, D-Gloucester, A1483 would require New Jersey-based truckers who haul hazardous materials intrastate to be compensated “with an hourly wage, exclusive of overtime pay or other benefits paid to the driver.” The bill specifies that the hourly wage be paid by the business, corporation, company, organization, or other entity a driver is hauling for.
Burzichelli wrote in the bill that hazardous materials haulers are often paid by the load. “This practice often encourages drivers to travel at excess speeds and increases the likelihood that a commercial motor vehicle transporting hazardous material may be involved in accident, placing the citizens of New Jersey at unnecessary risk from these hazardous materials.”
He also wrote that nothing in the measure “is to be deemed or construed so as to limit, alter, or impair in any way any other applicable provision of federal or state law or regulation concerning the operation in intrastate or interstate commerce” of hazardous materials haulers.
For bill status, call (609) 292-4840. In New Jersey, call 1-800-792-8630.