The Stolen Car Accountability Act establishes a legal obligation for individuals and businesses involved in the storage, transportation, or brokerage of motor vehicles to implement reasonable measures to prevent the transportation of stolen vehicles into or out of New Jersey. If a person fails to meet this duty, they may face significant civil penalties, with fines reaching up to $1,000,000 for each stolen vehicle involved in the violation, and up to $5,000,000 for subsequent offenses. The bill also clarifies that a criminal conviction is not required for the enforcement of these civil penalties, and it allows the Attorney General to initiate actions to recover these penalties in court.

Additionally, the bill introduces a permissive inference regarding violations, allowing for the assumption of wrongdoing if certain conditions are met, such as acquiring vehicles without verifying the seller's legal right to them or possessing multiple stolen vehicles. This legislative measure aims to deter facilitators of auto theft, particularly in the commercial port areas of New York and New Jersey, which are known exit points for international car theft operations. By imposing these penalties and clarifying the responsibilities of transportation industry players, the bill seeks to reduce the prevalence of auto theft and enhance accountability within the industry.