5. a. Any person who violates the provisions of this act or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto shall be subject to a penalty of not less than $100 nor more than $5,000.00 for the first offense, nor less than $200 nor more than $10,000.00 for the second offense, nor less than $500 nor more than $25,000.00 for the third or any subsequent offense. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 50 percent of the penalty moneys collected pursuant to this paragraph shall be deposited into the “Highway Safety Fund” created pursuant to section 5 of P.L.2003, c.131 (C. 39:3-20.4).

The complaint and summons shall state whether the charges pertain to a first offense, or to a second or subsequent offense, but if the complaint or summons fails to allege a second or subsequent offense, the penalty imposed shall be for a first offense. The penalty may be reduced to $25 for a first offense, $50 for a second offense, and $125 for a third and subsequent offense for a non-out- of- service equipment violation if the defendant provides proof of repair to the vehicle that is satisfactory to the court. Proof that the violation has been corrected shall be by a document certifying that the non-out-of-service equipment violation has been corrected. The Division of State Police, a diesel emissions inspection center licensed by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, a certified fleet mechanic approved by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, or any other entity approved by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission shall be authorized to issue the requisite certifying documentation. The Division of State Police may, in its discretion, designate times and locations where a defendant may bring a vehicle for an inspection pursuant to which a requisite certifying document may be issued. Nothing in this act shall be construed as requiring the Division of State Police to conduct a vehicle inspection pursuant to which a requisite certifying document may be issued other than at the time and locations as the Division of State Police may provide.

Repairs to effect a reduction of penalty under the provisions of this section shall be made before the hearing date. A defendant may be permitted to submit the certification of repairs by mail; provided that if the court deems the certification to be inadequate, it shall afford the defendant the option to withdraw the defendant’s guilty plea.

The Department of Transportation is authorized to adopt a schedule of penalties for any specific violation of P.L.1983, c.401 (C. 39:5B-25 et seq.) or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto. A penalty imposed pursuant to this act may be collected in a civil action by a summary proceeding under the “Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999,” P.L.1999, c.274 (C. 2A:58-10 et seq.), or in a summary proceeding before a court of competent jurisdiction wherein injunctive relief has been sought. The State Police, police officers of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and police officers of the Delaware River Port Authority may issue a summons and complaint returnable in a municipal court or other court of competent jurisdiction for violations of P.L.1983, c.401 (C. 39:5B-25 et seq.) and this amendatory and supplementary act or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant thereto. In addition to the jurisdiction conferred by the “Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999,” the Law and Chancery Divisions of the Superior Court shall have jurisdiction of proceedings for the enforcement of the penalties provided in this act. The various municipal courts shall have jurisdiction of proceedings for the enforcement of penalties under $5,000.00 provided in P.L.1983, c.401 (C. 39:5B-25 et seq.).

b. Penalties imposed pursuant to this act shall in no way reduce or otherwise limit the liability of any person, pursuant to the laws of this State, for cleanup costs or other damages arising from a discharge of hazardous materials.

c. The Superintendent of the State Police, police officers of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, police officers of the Delaware River Port Authority and personnel of the Department of Transportation and of the Department of Environmental Protection duly authorized by the superintendent may, in addition to seeking a civil penalty, seek injunctive relief in the Chancery Division, General Equity Part of the Superior Court as to any person found to have violated any provision of P.L.1983, c.401 (C. 39:5B-25 et seq.) or this amendatory and supplementary act or any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to either.

d. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2003, c.131).

L.1983, c.401, s.5; amended 1985, c.415, s.5; 2003, c.131, s.2; 2012, c.72, s.1.