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Bill > S1095
NJ S1095
NJ S1095Prohibits electric, gas, or water public utility service discontinuances to residential customers during certain epidemics.
summary
Introduced
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
In Committee
01/09/2024
01/09/2024
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill prohibits an electric, gas, or water public utility (utility) from discontinuing service to a residential customer for utility bill nonpayment during an epidemic, such as during the outbreak of Coronavirus 2019, except when the utility experiences a utility emergency. A utility is to resume service, as soon as practicable, during an epidemic, to any residential customer whose service was discontinued prior to the existence of an epidemic and who is located at the same residence where the service was discontinued prior to the epidemic. This prohibition is no longer to apply once the Governor declares a public health emergency and a state of emergency due to the epidemic no longer exists. The bill provides that a residential customer who does not pay in full a utility bill on or before the date the bill is due during an epidemic is liable for any bill payment balance for service rendered by the public utility once the Governor determines that the epidemic no longer exists. The bill defines the terms "epidemic," "residential customer." and "utility emergency."
AI Summary
This bill prohibits electric, gas, or water public utilities from shutting off service to residential customers for nonpayment during an epidemic, which is defined as a widespread disease outbreak that causes the Governor to declare a public health emergency and a state of emergency. This protection remains in effect until the Governor declares that the epidemic no longer exists, and utilities must also restore service to customers who had it shut off before the epidemic began, as soon as possible. However, customers who don't pay their bills in full during an epidemic will still be responsible for the full balance once the epidemic ends. The bill also clarifies what constitutes a "public utility emergency," which is a situation where a utility must immediately shut off service due to danger to life, health, or property.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee (on 01/09/2024)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/S1095 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S1500/1095_I1.HTM |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/S1500/1095_I1.HTM |
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