S 2748 New Jersey Senate · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Prohibits false or secret compartments in motor vehicles under certain circumstances.

This bill makes it a crime to possess or create hidden compartments in vehicles with the intent to conceal illegal items like drugs, weapons, or people. Vehicle owners who knowingly use such compartments (third-degree crime: 3-5 years jail) or design/build them (second-degree crime: 5-10 years jail) face penalties. The law defines "false compartments" broadly - including modified fuel tanks or added spaces - and allows police to seize the vehicle and its contents if contraband is found inside. It also requires separate sentences for this offense plus any other related crimes, with no defense if the compartment was inoperable or known to police.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Jan 13, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
1
Key actions
0
Committee
0
Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Gordon Johnson
Gordon Johnson
DDemocratic
NJ
37