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Bill > A3313


NJ A3313

NJ A3313
Requires electric public utility to reimburse customers for up to $500 for spoiled food and full cost of spoiled medicine resulting from lengthy service outage following major event.


summary

Introduced
03/07/2022
In Committee
03/07/2022
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/08/2024

Introduced Session

2022-2023 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires an electric public utility (utility) to reimburse a residential customer (customer) who experienced a "sustained interruption" caused by a "major event," as those terms are defined in the bill, for certain costs of spoiled food and medication, due to the lack of refrigeration during the sustained interruption, upon the customer filing a claim for the loss in a form and manner established by the Board of Public Utilities (BPU). Under the bill, a customer that experiences a sustained interruption may be reimbursed up to $500 for the amount paid for the food that spoiled. For any reimbursement request over $250, a customer is to provide to the utility an itemized list of the spoiled food and proof of purchase, including an itemized receipt. A customer that experiences a sustained interruption may be reimbursed for the full cost of the amount paid for the medication that was compromised. For any reimbursement request over $500, a customer is to provide to the utility an itemized list of the compromised medication and proof of purchase, including an itemized receipt. No later than 90 days after the effective date of the bill, each utility in the State is required to develop and implement a system for customers of the utility to apply for a reimbursement online via the utility's Internet website. Applications for a reimbursement are to be made in a form and manner as determined by the BPU and customers are to be reimbursed no later than 30 days after a utility's receipt of a reimbursement request. The bill prohibits any costs incurred by a utility pursuant to the bill to be recoverable from ratepayers of the utility.

AI Summary

This bill requires an electric public utility (utility) to reimburse a residential customer (customer) who experienced a "sustained interruption" caused by a "major event," as those terms are defined in the bill, for certain costs of spoiled food and medication, due to the lack of refrigeration during the sustained interruption, upon the customer filing a claim. The customer can be reimbursed up to $500 for spoiled food and the full cost of compromised medication, with additional documentation required for claims over $250 for food and $500 for medication. The utility must develop an online system for customers to apply for reimbursement, and must reimburse customers within 30 days of receiving a request. The costs incurred by the utility cannot be recovered from ratepayers.

Committee Categories

Transportation and Infrastructure

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Hearing (10:00 6/2/2022 Committee Room 15, 4th Floor, State House Annex, Trenton, NJ) (on 06/02/2022)

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