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NJ S4352

NJ S4352
Prohibits public utilities from assessing surcharges and certain fees.


summary

Introduced
05/12/2025
In Committee
05/12/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill prohibits public utilities from assessing: (1) a surcharge to any public utility customer; (2) a fee to any public utility customer who has not enrolled in automatic payments through the public utility and, instead, has elected to make one-time payments to the public utility for services rendered to that customer by the public utility; or (3) a fee to any public utility customer who has not enrolled in paperless statements through the public utility company and, instead, has elected to receive paper statements from the public utility. Under the bill, "surcharge" means an additional amount imposed by the public utility at the time of a payment transaction that increases a charge to a public utility customer to recover the cost of the public utility's use of third-party payment processing services.

AI Summary

This bill prohibits public utilities from imposing certain fees and surcharges on customers. Specifically, the bill defines a "surcharge" as an additional amount added to a customer's bill to recover the cost of third-party payment processing services. Public utilities, which are defined according to existing New Jersey law, would be prohibited from: (1) assessing any surcharge to customers, (2) charging a fee to customers who choose to make one-time payments instead of enrolling in automatic payments, and (3) charging a fee to customers who opt to receive paper statements instead of enrolling in paperless billing. The legislation aims to protect customers from extra charges related to payment methods and billing preferences, ensuring that customers have more flexibility in how they pay their utility bills and receive statements without incurring additional costs. The bill would take effect immediately upon enactment.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (3)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee (on 05/12/2025)

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