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Bill > A5660
NJ A5660
NJ A5660Requires BPU to publish plain language summary of its final decision on rate increase filings.
summary
Introduced
05/08/2025
05/08/2025
In Committee
05/08/2025
05/08/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026
01/12/2026
Introduced Session
2024-2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill requires the Board of Public Utilities to include in a board order with the board's final decision regarding a public utility's petition to increase the utility's individual rate, joint rate, toll, charge, or schedule a plain language summary of the board order. Under the bill, the summary is to include: (1) a summary of the contents of the utility's petition; (2) a justification for the board's final decision on the petition; (3) a statement of the petition's impact on affected customers, if any; (4) the utility's current individual rate, joint rate, toll, charge, or schedule, the new individual rate, joint rate, toll, charge, or schedule, and the total amount of increase; (5) the utility's rate of return; (6) if the increase is implemented to recover the costs of infrastructure or other investments, an expected period of time by which the utility plans to recover those costs; (7) when the new individual rate, joint rate, toll, charge, or schedule will take effect; and (8) any other information, as determined by the board. With this bill, the sponsor intends to ensure that consumers know what decisions are being made and how those decisions impact their utility rates and payments, especially at a time when utility rates are increasing. Language currently used in board orders makes it difficult for many consumers to fully understand the board orders' impact.
AI Summary
This bill requires the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to include a plain language summary in its board orders when a public utility seeks to increase its rates, tolls, or charges. The summary must provide clear, accessible information about the rate increase, including a breakdown of the utility's petition, the board's justification for its decision, the potential impact on customers, the current and new rates, the utility's rate of return, and the expected timeline for cost recovery. By mandating this plain language summary, the bill aims to make utility rate decisions more transparent and understandable to consumers who may currently struggle to comprehend the technical language used in board orders. The bill defines a "public utility" according to existing New Jersey law and applies to any rate increase petitions processed by the BPU. The new requirements will take effect immediately upon enactment, ensuring that consumers will have access to clearer information about utility rate changes as soon as possible.
Committee Categories
Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Telecommunications and Utilities Committee (on 05/08/2025)
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/A5660 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2024/A6000/5660_I1.HTM |
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