New Jersey § 56:12-37

§ 56:12-37.

a. A consumer shall have the option of submitting any dispute arising under section

4 of this act 1 to the division for resolution , including, in the case of an authorized emergency vehicle, a dispute between a manufacturer,

co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier regarding the source of nonconformities

and resulting liability to the consumer . The director may establish a filing fee, to be paid by the consumer, fixed at a

level not to exceed the cost for the proper administration and enforcement of this

act. This fee shall be recoverable as a cost under section 14 of this act. 2 Upon application by the consumer and payment of any filing fee, the manufacturer , co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier shall submit to the State hearing procedure. The filing of the notice in subsection b. of section 5 of P.L.1988, c. 123 ( C.56:12-33 ) shall be a prerequisite to the filing of an application under this section. b. The director shall review a consumer's application for dispute resolution and accept

eligible disputes for referral to the Office of Administrative Law for a summary hearing

to be conducted in accordance with special rules adopted pursuant to the “Administrative

Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c. 410 ( C.52:14B-1 et seq. ), by the Office of Administrative Law in consultation with the director. Immediately upon acceptance of a consumer's application for dispute resolution,

the director shall contact the parties and arrange for a hearing date with the Clerk

of the Office of Administrative Law. The hearing date shall, to the greatest extent possible, be convenient to all parties,

but shall be no later than 20 days from the date the consumer's application is accepted,

unless a later date is agreed upon by the consumer. The Office of Administrative Law shall render a decision, in writing, to the director

within 20 days of the conclusion of the summary hearing. The decision shall provide a brief summary of the findings of fact, appropriate

remedies pursuant to this act, and a specific date for completion of all awarded remedies. The director, upon a review of the proposed decision submitted by the administrative

law judge, shall adopt, reject, or modify the decision no later than 15 days after

receipt of the decision. Unless the director modifies or rejects the decision within the 15-day period, the

decision of the administrative law judge shall be deemed adopted as the final decision

of the director. If the manufacturer , co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier unreasonably fails to comply with the decision within the specified time period, that party shall be liable for penalties in the amount of $5,000.00 for each day it unreasonably fails to comply, commencing on the day after the specified date for

completion of all awarded remedies. c. The Office of Administrative Law is authorized to issue subpoenas to compel the

attendance of witnesses and the production of documents, papers and records relevant

to the dispute. d. A manufacturer , co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier, or a consumer may appeal a final decision to the Appellate Division of the Superior Court. An appeal by a manufacturer , co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier shall not be heard unless the petition for the appeal is accompanied by a bond in

a principal sum equal to the money award made by the administrative law judge plus

$2,500.00 for anticipated attorney's fees and other costs, secured by cash or its

equivalent, payable to the consumer. The liability of the surety of any bond filed pursuant to this section shall be

limited to the indemnification of the consumer in the action. The bond shall not limit or impair any right of recovery otherwise available pursuant

to law, nor shall the amount of the bond be relevant in determining the amount of

recovery to which the consumer shall be entitled. If a final decision resulting in a refund to the consumer is upheld by the court,

recovery by the consumer shall include reimbursement for actual expenses incurred

by the consumer for the rental of a motor vehicle equivalent to the consumer's motor

vehicle and limited to the period of time after which the consumer's motor vehicle

was offered to the manufacturer , co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier for return under this act, except in those cases in which that party made a comparable vehicle available to the consumer free of charge during that period. If the court finds that the manufacturer , co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier had no reasonable basis for its appeal or that the appeal was frivolous, the court

shall award treble damages to the consumer. Failure of the Office of Administrative Law to render a written decision within

20 days of the conclusion of the summary hearing as required by subsection b. of this

section shall not be a basis for appeal. e. The Attorney General shall monitor the implementation and effectiveness of this

act and report to the Legislature after three years of operation, at which time a

recommendation shall be made either to continue under the procedures set forth in

this act or to make such modifications as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes

of this act. 1

N.J.S.A. § 56:12-32. 2

N.J.S.A. § 56:12-42.