Bill > A4786

Introduced Session

This bill prohibits public utilities in this State from charging or collecting an opt-out fee to persons that have chosen not to have a smart meter installed in their places of residence. Under the bill, a "smart meter" is defined as a metering device that employs smart meter technology to measure, record, and transmit utility usage data to both a public utility and a customer for billing and other purposes. "Smart meter" includes a basic hourly interval meter, a meter with one-way communication, and a real-time meter with built-in, two-way communication capable of recording and transmitting instantaneous utility usage data. It is the sponsor's intent to help utility customers control their utility costs by exempting them from the fee charged by utilities for opting out of smart meter installation. Currently, residential customers are required to either agree to install a smart meter or pay a monthly fee to keep their analog meter. Utility customers have been experiencing larger and larger bills as companies save money by reducing employee costs. It is the sponsor's intent that that this legislation will promote choice in selecting a meter and save ratepayers money if they choose to keep an analog meter.

Committee Categories

Alex Sauickie (R)*,  Dawn Fantasia (R), 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee (on 09/19/2024)

Official Document