Self Service Gas

An attendant fuels up a vehicle in Portland, Ore. earlier this year. New Jersey could join Oregon lawmakers in end bans on allowing drivers to pump their own gas. (NJ.com file photo)

(Rick Bowmer/The Associated Press)

A bill to be introduced by a Monmouth County lawmaker could end New Jersey's decades-long ban on pumping your own gas.



Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon, R-Monmouth, said he plans to introduce a bill to phase in self-serve gas that wouldn't make motorists go cold turkey if they prefer to have an attendant do it for them.

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"I'm amazed at how many folks raise this issue with me. It's the right thing to do, so we'll see," he said of the bill's chances in a state where some drivers pride themselves on not pumping their own gas.



The bill, announced on Friday, comes after an NJ Advance Media report revealed that no one has been prosecuted for pumping their own gas in the last two years. It also comes as lawmakers in Oregon, the only other state in the nation with a law similar to ours, are considering measures to allow self service in parts of that state.

O'Scanlon said his bill mirrors the provisions in a self service bill introduced by State Senators Gerald Cardinale and Paul Sarlo.

RELATED: What happens if you pump your own gas?

The assembly and senate bills would decriminalize the act of pumping your own gas, but also provides for self-service islands. Gas stations would be required to operate at least one full service gas pump island for three years, if the bill becomes law. The bill also allows for gas retailers to charge a lower price at the self-service pumps.

Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @commutinglarry. Find NJ.com on Facebook.