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Bill > S4518


NJ S4518

NJ S4518
"Electricity Bill Transparency Act"; requires electric utilities to separately list amounts of certain charges.


summary

Introduced
05/29/2025
In Committee
05/29/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/12/2026

Introduced Session

2024-2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill is to be known as the "Electricity Bill Transparency Act." This bill requires electric public utilities to separately list the amount of tax imposed by the "Sales and Use Tax Act," the amount of the societal benefits charge, and the amount of clean energy charges on each customer's electricity bill. Additionally, the bill requires electric public utilities to itemize the amount of the societal benefits charge that is provided to each societal benefits program on the customer's electricity bill. This bill is intended to provide notice to customers of electricity service, on their bills, about the types and amount of charges that are imposed but are not directly related to the cost of providing electricity to the customer. Many customers are unaware of these non-utility related charges and that these charges fund programs that these customers may not use.

AI Summary

This bill, known as the "Electricity Bill Transparency Act," requires electric utilities to provide more detailed and transparent billing information to customers. Specifically, the bill mandates that electric utilities separately list three key types of charges on customer bills: the Sales and Use Tax, the societal benefits charge, and clean energy charges. The societal benefits charge, which funds various social and energy programs, must be further itemized to show exactly how much is allocated to each specific program. Clean energy charges, such as those related to zero emission certificate programs, must also be clearly displayed. The goal of this legislation is to help customers understand the various additional fees and taxes on their electricity bills beyond the basic cost of electricity service, as many customers are currently unaware of these supplemental charges and the programs they support. The bill will take effect six months after its enactment, giving utilities time to update their billing systems to comply with the new transparency requirements.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee (on 05/29/2025)

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