Bill to Protect Farmers from Faulty Equipment Approved by Senate

TRENTON — Legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Whip Wilson, Gabriela Mosquera, Vincent Mazzeo and Bob Andrzejczak to help protect farmers from faulty equipment was approved 34-0 Thurs. by the Senate.
The bill (A-1812) extends the protections of the state’s vehicle lemon law to new motor vehicle farm equipment purchased or leased in New Jersey.
“Farming is vital industry for New Jersey, but it’s struggling against a tough economy and encroaching development,” said Wilson (D-Camden/Gloucester). “Anything we can do to help protect farmers from extra costs is a good thing.”
“Tractors are expensive and vital to farming work,” said Mosquera (D-Camden/Gloucester). “Extending the lemon law protection to farm tractors ensures that farmers in the state will have some recourse when stuck with faulty equipment that could potentially threaten their business.”
“Farmers are at the mercy of the weather and other conditions that can impact their crops,” said Mazzeo (D-Atlantic). “Add unexpected costs from a faulty farm vehicle and it could be enough to threaten their livelihood. Providing this protection gives farmers one less thing to worry about.”
“Tractors are costly investments. If a tractor turns out to be defective, it can have serious financial implications for its owner,” said Andrzejczak (D-Cape May/Atlantic/Cumberland). “Farmers should have the same protection afforded to regular consumers when they end up with a lemon.”
Specifically, the bill extends the protections of the “lemon law” to new motor vehicle farm tractors purchased or leased in New Jersey if a nonconformity is reported by the consumer within a period of two years following the date of original delivery to the consumer, regardless of mileage.
The bill also provide that under the “lemon law” protections, all repairs to farm tractors made after a period of one year following the date of original delivery to the consumer, regardless of mileage shall be recoverable as a cost in any action brought by a consumer against a manufacturer pursuant to that law.
The amended bill requires final legislative approval from the Assembly before going to the governor.