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A New Jersey state senator reintroduced a bill this week to let residents and visitors pump their own gas, but even its sponsor doubts it will advance past committee, according to the New York Post.
Republican Sen. Jon Bramnick proposed the legislation, which mandates gas stations with four or more pumps to offer both full-service and self-service options. An attendant would remain on-site to assist drivers with disabilities, while others could fill their tanks independently.
New Jersey stands alone as the last U.S. state banning self-service gas. The prohibition stems from the 1949 Retail Gasoline Dispensing Safety Act, designed partly to shield customers from flammable fuel. Full-service stations have since become a defining feature of the Garden State. Oregon ended its 72-year self-service ban in 2023, leaving New Jersey as the final holdout.
The bill faces stiff resistance from locals. Tina Giannini, a Washington Township resident, told CBS News she values full-service convenience. "First, it's great when it's cold or raining. Second, it's nice when it's hot. Third, it supports jobs," she said. Her stance reflects a broader sentiment among New Jerseyans, who see the tradition as practical and economical.
Gas Bill Stalled in 2022
Bramnick acknowledges the proposal's unpopularity, even among his own supporters. He admits receiving heated feedback, including "four-letter words" in emails to his office. Still, he argues that adding self-service options would boost convenience.
"I get it," he told CBS News. "But I think it's worth restarting the conversation." He added that he respects the fervor of full-service advocates yet pushes forward with his plan.
History offers little encouragement. A similar bipartisan gas bill stalled in committee in 2022, failing to gain traction. Bramnick remains realistic about the odds. "This could be a Dracula bill -- it might never see daylight," he said. "But I'm going to try anyway."
His persistence highlights a rare challenge to a decades-old norm. Basically, supporters of change are touting efficiency, while opponents cling to tradition and job preservation. For now, Bramnick's bill tests the waters, but its fate hangs in doubt.
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